Malawi Mzuzu AAA

Is it spring where you live? Or does it at least feel like it? Last weekend we came upon a quail nest on our property that was exposed by weed eating. We marveled at the tiny eggs, and it seemed like the epitome of spring: growth and new babies. The same day we found a lost baby bird and had to call our local Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release. You know it’s spring when baby animals show up all over. Our funniest experience this year is the bluebirds nesting in the cavity at the rear of a rooster figurine we have in the yard. Watching them fly in and out under the tail is pretty humorous.

Birthday mama at work today

Today is the birthday of a woman near and dear to me: our store manager, Becky. I have known her for her entire life, since she is also my little sister. In the last year she has become a mother, and it is a great joy to watch her parent her son with grace and patience. She comes to work everyday with a smile on her face, and she remains cheerful no matter how the day goes (and as any parent of an infant can tell you: you never know).

From the bottom of my heart I wish Becky a happy birthday and the joy of another year. May it be filled with more milestones as you look forward to parenting a toddler. Thank you for taking such good care of this store, even as you juggle many hats. We appreciate you!

This week we have an African bean from a country that we have only featured one other time. This coffee comes from the Republic of Malawi, a landlocked nation surrounded by Tanzania to the north, Mozambique to the east and south, and Zambia to the west. It is a small country, and its main geographic feature is Lake Malawi, which lies to the east of the Great Rift Valley and takes up a third of the country.

This Malawi Mzuzu AAA comes from the Mzuzu Coffee Planters Cooperative Union. This is a group of small farmers in the north of the country who come together to process their coffee. They promote gender equity among their members and work together to support community projects, including helping to build a local hospital. This is a beautiful dense bean, a blend of two arabica cultivars: Gesha and Nyika. In the cup it tastes of dried fig, mangoes, and a lingering citrus finish.

Those of you who appreciate the bright acidity of African beans will love this Malawi option. You can try a cup on us this week with the code quail eggs*. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, whatever you do, and drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Malawi Mzuzu AAA. Code expires on 6.01.17. 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.