Honduras Santa Elena Catracha: Maria Adela Nolasco Micro-Lot

A few nights ago, a crack of thunder overhead woke me up. I got out of bed to watch the lightning ripple across the sky, mostly cloud-to-cloud, looking like an uncoordinated baby playing with a flashlight. It was beautiful, and unusual for our California summer. I was drifting back to sleep when the soft drumming of rain woke me back up. It barely wet the ground, but the smell of the wet earth kept me smiling each time I awoke the rest of the night.

We’re halfway through September, and there is definitely a hint of autumn in the air. The kids and I got out our fall decorations (some homemade pumpkins from Make Local Habit, and turkey feathers we’ve collected from our local wild flock). It’s darker in the mornings and we’ve been lighting candles as we get ready for school. All these add up to make my hot mug of coffee even more delightful. It keeps my hands warm on these cool mornings.

This week we have a micro-lot Honduran, from one farm. It comes from the La Paz district, in the western part of the country, not far from the border with El Salvador. The farm is called El Mango, and it is two acres at around 5000 feet elevation. This coffee is grown by Maria Adela Nolasco, and it is the main income for her family. You can see her name on the coffee bag in the header (how cool is that?). According to the Royal Coffee page here, her coffee income has allowed her to send her 17 year old to college.

This coffee is a result of the Catracha Quality Project. You can find their website here, and read about how they are trying to improve lives by increasing the quality of coffee produced around Santa Elena. This project is supported by Royal Coffee, and you can read about that partnership here. They are committed to educating the farmers and introducing standards to the production process.

I am excited to drink this at home this week. I love coffees with a sweet and nutty flavor profile, and this fits the bill. It is roasted light, but it has a full body and it’s delightful. You can come in and try a cup on us with the code fall beckons* this week. Join me in raising your cup to Maria Adela Nolasco as you drink this Honduran. Thank you Sra. Nolasco.  Enjoy the final half of September, and drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Honduras Maria Adela Nolasco. Code expires on 9.22.16. Limit one free cup per customer please. Valid only at Carolines Coffee Roasters, 128 S. Auburn Street, Grass Valley, CA. Code/Offer has no cash value.