Colombia, Carlos Eduardo Tejedor Borja, Zero Defect

A couple of months ago, we decided to rent a teardrop trailer for our October break. Two weeks ago, Trace fell and broke his ribs, so all of our plans became flexible (unlike his ribs). Instead of the extended trip we had planned, we decided to take a shorter trip right in our own backyard: we went camping at Lake Tahoe. Autumn may well be the best time of year to visit this local gem. The fall colors were exuberant, and the kids loved riding their bikes around the mostly closed campground and the deserted bike trails.

Nothing says fall like a pumpkin patch with cousins.

The weather was perfect–well, except for the snow on Thursday night, but we checked the weather and went to a hotel–and there was not even a speck of a crowd. The kids slept happily in their tents, and we all loved the cool temperatures that called for a campfire morning and night. One day we drove over to Grover Hot Springs, and Hope Valley and the West Carson River were bathed in all shades of yellow, with the aspen leaves twinkling in the breeze. We felt like tourists appreciating the view.

For a treat, Trace and I took the Mexico Cup of Excellence to start our mornings. Jack would light the fire early, and I loved opening the clam shell kitchen to get the water boiling. A French press of the Mexican was a true delight to warm my taste buds and my hands. Our camping tradition is to start the day with a cinnamon roll–the grocery store cheap kind that’s basically just sugar. In case you’re wondering, it tastes delicious with the nutty sweet flavor of the coffee (no pride there-ha!).

This week we have another special coffee for you. We waited to feature it until we were back in town. This Colombia Carlos Eduardo Tejedor Borja Zero Defect is as wonderful as the name is long. It was one of the top lots in the second annual National Coffee Quality Contest, hosted by the La Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (FNC)–the same FNC who brought the American coffee drinking public the iconic Juan Valdez.

This coffee, however, was not grown by Juan Valdez, but by Carlos Eduardo Tejedor Borja. According to our broker,

“Carlos Eduardo Tejedor Borja produced one of the top lots in this year’s competition on his 22-acre farm called El Recuerdo, located in the municipality of Zetaquira in the department of Boyacá, Colombia. Carlos is 45 years old and started working in coffee eight years ago. Carlos uses his own micro-mill to process the harvest, which allows for meticulous care in cherry selection, depulping, fermenting, and drying the coffee. Carlos, along with his wife and three children also grow sugar cane and dragon fruit trees on the family farm. Carlos plans to use his earnings from the coffee premiums to making improvements to his wet mill and his farm.”

In the cup this was as exquisite as you would expect. It tastes of sweet fruit, grapes and apricots, with a clean finish. It’s easy to drink, and has delicious depth. You can try a cup on us this week with the code fall shades. All week I have enjoyed the various colors of red, yellow, and orange around the county. Last weekend we made it to Bierwagen’s Pumpkin Patch, and there’s not much that says fall more than pumpkins. However you enjoy your autumn, drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Colombia Carlos Eduardo Tejedor Borja Zero Defect. Code expires on 11.02.17. 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.