Mexico Altura Finca San Carlos

Because who can choose just one baby picture? From top: Archie napping while Mom works;
Laughing with Aunt Holly;
Hanging with Uncle Trace and Dad

Happy October to all of you! In my extended family we a have a lot of birthdays in October (shout out to my amazing sister Katie, who is celebrating today). It’s a good month to be born, and a good month to celebrate those we love. I am having my own belated birthday celebration this weekend, going away with some girl friends for a 40th birthday party. From this vantage point, 40 seems young. Although I did receive a shirt that originally belonged to my Grandpa, proclaiming “forty isn’t old–if you’re a tree.” Ahem. Point taken.

I came down with a stomach flu this week, which rarely happens to me. Luckily it was fast and furious, and within 24 hours I was feeling better. Today I’m playing catch-up: how could there be so much to do when I only missed one day of work? Maybe it’s the time of year, gearing up for the busy holiday season. At any rate, today is the first time I got to try this Mexican Altura Finca San Carlo, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.

This is a single estate coffee, from a farm that goes back to 1896, when coffee was first cultivated on the Mexico/Guatemala border by a German immigrant by the name of Ludwig Hotzen. This coffee is high-grown (thus “altura”), on the slopes of the Tacana volcano, in the state of Chiapas. In 2013, this historic farm was bought by Alfred Klein, with help from our broker, Royal Coffee, and he is working hard to rebuild it after 85% was devastated by leaf rust.

The updated farm has an abundance of spring water, and they are committed to ecologically sound practices, like purifying all the water they use in processing. They are also committed to the migrant workers from Guatemala who pick their coffee, and provide housing, education, and medical care to them. All of this care is obvious in this fully washed and sun dried coffee. It’s a beautiful bean, creamy in the cup, smooth with a milk chocolate finish as it cools.

You can try this coffee on us this week with the code pumpkin season*. And yes, we do have pumpkin spice lattes available, for those of you who love all things pumpkin. ‘Tis the season. I hope that you enjoy your fall weekend, whatever you do. And no matter what age you are, go celebrate. I’m sure you deserve it. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Mexico Altura Finca San Carlos. Code expires on 10.13.16. 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.