Guatemala Antigua Bella Carmona
Last weekend Trace and I got to spend two nights in Monterey, attending the wedding of a friend and former employee, Khrista. It was a joy to celebrate Khrista and her new husband Patrick. She may have been the happiest bride that I ever did see: she practically danced down the aisle. It was an evening wedding, and the light was twinkling in the leaves of the trees and roses behind the Old Whaling Station. It was a gorgeous setting, and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip.
Drinking a French press of last week’s special–the Cup of Excellence Mexican– was a highlight of our trip.
We came home the long way, up the coast. Can I mention for the 1000th time that this is a beautiful state? We drove past farmstands with produce that we could not pass up, stopped for oysters in Half Moon Bay, watched kitesurfers with their bright colored kites twisting and turning in a complicated dance, bought pumpkins and fresh peas (mmm), and came home with a car loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables. From ocean to mountains, and we were in our driveway before 9.
Today we have our Guatemala Antigua Bella Carmona as a special for you. Antigua is such a well known area for producing spectacular coffees, that it is now a protected region, rather like Champagne. All Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, and wine with that appellation follows strict criteria as to where it is sourced and how it is produced. Antigua is trying to do the same thing with their coffee. For many years, more coffee was labeled “Antigua” than the valley produced.
So in 2000, a group of 34 farmers came together to form the Antigua Coffee Producers Association. Their goal is to “promote its membership’s coffee and protect the Genuine Antigua Coffee label.” You can find their website here, and a map of the area included. This particular bean comes from Hacienda Carmona, which is owned and operated by Luis Pedro Zelaya Zamora and his family. Sr. Zamora is a fourth generation coffee farmer, with a formal education in agronomy. With that background he is able to blend tradition and experience with innovation: you’ll find solar dryers and cutting edge drying techniques at their farm.
In the cup this is a sweet brew, with notes of caramel and vanilla. It is nuanced and delicious, and what you would expect from such a carefully produced Antigua bean. You can try a cup on us this week with the code October brew*. I hope that you are enjoying your autumn, and all the beauty that surrounds us. Cheers!
–Holly Fike
*Code good for a 12 ounce cup of our Guatemala Antigua Bella Carmona. Code expires on 10.12.17. 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.