Fair Trade Organic Peru Micro-Lot: Augusto Vasquez Llamo
Can I just say how much I love having my nephew come to work? It is so much fun being an auntie. Today I was holding Archie and Jack climbed on top of the old red roaster–which is apparently the funniest thing you can do, at least according to a twenty month old. Archie giggled so much at Jack that a kind customer offered to take our picture. Both boys posed for the camera, so a bit of the joy is missing in the shot, but you can imagine them making faces and laughing at each other. It was enchanting.
Two cousins posing
We have had quite the weather this week: it rained as hard as I’ve ever seen it rain, and then today we had a beautiful blue sky. The sunshine definitely lifted my spirits. I get tired of grey skies, so although I’m grateful for the rain, I was ready for that golden orb to light my day. But I have to admit that I did enjoy reading in front of the fireplace while the rain pounded down this week: it was awfully cozy.
Rain or shine, it was a good week for coffee. Wednesday was World Poetry Day, and we joined with other coffee shops around town to offer a free cup of coffee in exchange for a poem. It was fun to read all the submissions, but I think my favorite is the one that got laminated and posted on the wall of the office: “Roses are red, violets are blue. . . Becky and Holly lead this crew.” Thanks Tyler 🙂
I would like to say that I planned to have El Poeta as the featured coffee last week, because I knew we were hosting #paywithapoem day–but truly I did not. Sometimes the universe just lines things up for you (or maybe Trace knew it was Poetry Day?). This week our featured coffee is a micro-lot from Peru: our Fair Trade Organic Peru: Augusto Vasquez Llamo. I know the name is a mouthful, but when you know who grew your coffee, it ought to be on the label.
This is high grown coffee, from the far north of Peru. The Santa Maria farm of Sr. Llamo is above 6000′ elevation. The coffee is processed as a micro-lot by the Sol y Cafe Cooperative (Cooperativa de Servicios Multiples Sol y CafĂ© Ltda). The co-op is an association of small producers, whose purpose is to contribute to “the integral development of the partner, his family and community, while prioritizing the execution of agricultural activities, acting with social responsibility, preserving the environment and promoting sustainable development” (from their website, here). The co-op helps these farmers to increase the quality of their coffee and to receive certifications that improve their farms and help their families.
This is a great Peruvian, with more complexity than we usually get from this country. In the cup it is sweet and has tones of chocolate and dried cherries. It finishes with a full creamy vanilla tone that makes you want more. Whatever the weather this week, I hope you drink good coffee. Oh, and you can try this one on us with the code Paddington* (in my childhood story he came from “darkest Peru”). Enjoy!
–Holly Fike
*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Peru: Augusto Vasquez Llamo. Code expires on 03.29.18. 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.