(530) 273-6424
Login/Register

Cart: 0 items / $0.00

Click for Site Menu

Blog

Weekly Newsletter: 11th August, 2017

Posted on August 11 2017 by Holly Fike

Tanzania Ruvuma Peaberry

Last week there was no newsletter, because we were out of town. We continued our national park tour and took the kids to see Craters of the Moon, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. Craters of the Moon was new to all of us, and it was interesting to see the piles of lava and think about the early pioneers trying to find a way around them. It’s a desolate landscape surrounded by sagebrush desert–but that certainly made us appreciate the evergreens and mountains when we found them. Driving the Swan Valley Highway through waving golden wheat rising to rolling hills, with the Snake River winding below, was the first of many spectacular scenes last week.

Our hike to Hidden Falls

We went from there over the Teton pass, surrounded by wildflowers, and dropped into Jackson Hole. Trace and I have both been there before, but it is always a gorgeous sight. Driving up the valley we saw elk, pronghorn antelope, bison, and even a bald eagle. Most of our time was spent at the Grand Tetons, where we camped for the week. We went to Yellowstone for a very full and scenic day, but the sheer number of people was a bit overwhelming. The features are unique, and the kids especially liked the geysers and the other geothermal features, as well as the waterfalls and the wildlife.

Each morning of our trip we brewed a French press of our own coffee, and enjoyed it while sitting around the morning campfire. It helped me to function better–and despite the heatwave at home all of our mornings were cool enough to especially appreciate it. Last week our Costa Rica Coopedota Yellow Honey was on special, from the world’s first carbon-neutral coffee producer– and we’ll leave it on sale since it didn’t get featured last week.

This week we have our Tanzanian Peaberry for you to try. It is always a popular brew, with the “peaberry” referring to the fact that only one bean grows inside the coffee cherry. That makes for a smaller bean, with a higher caffeine content. These small beans are carefully separated by hand. This particular coffee comes from the Mbinga district, in the far southwest of the country, in the Ruvuma region. It is bordered on one side by Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa). The beans are processed by Soochak Bush and Tropex, two companies that have come together to improve coffee in this area.

The result is a beautiful light roast coffee, tasting of fresh citrus tones. It has enough kick to get you going, and the bright acidity also works well in an iced coffee. You can try a cup on us this week with the code Grand Tetons*. For the next few days, the Nevada County Fair is going on–such fun–and then next week school starts, at least for some. We thoroughly enjoyed attending the fair yesterday, and highly recommend it. I always enjoy seeing the animals and the exhibits, and the kids love the rides. However you spend your weekend, drink good coffee. Cheers!

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Tanzania Ruvuma Peaberry. Code expires on 8.17.17. 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.

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 11th August, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 28th July, 2017

Posted on July 28 2017 by Holly Fike

Ethiopia Guji 1 Natural Uraga

I have always loved morning glories. I think that it stems from a childhood seed packet that I chose all by myself at the nursery (a big deal when you’re small). Luckily they were easy to grow, and I was delighted to watch “my flowers” spread around the garden. This year my brother-in-law gave us some heirloom Grandpa Ott seeds saved from his own flowers, and the kids planted them around the garden in the spring. I am admittedly fond of morning glories, but I don’t know if there is a more beautiful sight than those deep purple heads nodding in the early light.

One year old!
Photo Credit: Stacey Skolak-Mitchell

Last weekend we had the fun of celebrating a first birthday. Archie had all kinds of relatives in town, and we had a big party, with spectacular food cooked by his grandma and great-aunt. All the cousins, from both sides, had a great time playing together, and Archie toddled around and thoroughly enjoyed his party. Little Caroline made three cakes for him, complete with an elephant topper created from fondant. Archie is well-loved.

On Monday we had leftover birthday cake here at the store, and I highly recommend cake and coffee. It was delicious with last week’s Sulawesi Toraja. This week we have a new brew for you, from the birthplace of coffee. This Ethiopian bean is from indigenous heirloom cultivars, maybe the same kind that Kaldi and his goats found (see the legend here, in a January newsletter).

This coffee is grown on small family farms in the Guji zone, and brought to a private washing station owned by Feku Jiberil, in the Uraga district. Feku Jiberil takes the ripe cherries and immediately sorts them and places them on raised beds to dry. This is a natural, or dry-processed, coffee, which means the coffee is dried with the fruit still intact. In the cup, you taste this fruit, and it is a sweet coffee with citrus and stone fruit tones.

You can try a cup on us this week with the code morning glory*. If you haven’t visited the downtown Thursday Night Market, next week is the last week. Come on out and get some fresh produce while enjoying the music and vendors. And of course it’s always a good time for a coffee drink. Enjoy!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Ethiopia Guji 1 Natural Uraga. Code expires on 8.3.17. 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.

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 28th July, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 21st July, 2017

Posted on July 21 2017 by Holly Fike

Sulawesi Toraja (Celebes Kalossi)

Trace and I took part of this week off and took our kids backpacking for the first time.  We chose an easy route (we want them to love it!), and spent two nights at Island Lake, in the Grouse Ridge area of the Tahoe National Forest.  The scenery could not have been more stunning, with an array of wildflowers greeting us at every turn.  The kids climbed every granite boulder in sight, Trace and Jack fished, and we all took a swim at some point.  If you look closely at the header picture, you can see two kids out on that island–brrrr. 

Packed up and ready to head back home

There is nothing like being completely disconnected to reconnect you with each other. It was good for all of us to slow down and spend time in simple pursuits, like finding a way to the nearest high point, or exploring until we found Hidden Lake. And there’s nothing like a campfire for relaxing in the evening. I think the kids also enjoyed the experience of freeze dried food, and using a water purifier. It was all new and all fun.

We started each day with coffee made on our Aeropress, which makes a great backpacking coffeemaker (see photos below). It’s lightweight and makes a delicious and rich cup of coffee. Since the grounds are compressed into a puck, the clean up is simple too–something that especially counts when you are outdoors. If you need one for your next adventure, I know just the place to pick one up.

This week we have one of our favorite coffees to share with you. This is our Sulawesi Toraja, straight from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi (formerly Celebes). This coffee comes the Toraja Coffee Farmers’s Cooperative, a group of twenty-three families in South Sulawesi. Toraja is the name of the indigenous people who grow the coffee. As members of the co-op they are able to work together to bring their coffee to market, and they are also working with a NGO to improve their farming practices and the infrastructure of their farms.

Sulawesi is an amazing island, with extreme geography. Rock cliffs rise from verdant green valleys, and the Toraja people have built unique homes that also soar. I have written before about their village traditions, and linked to their elaborate funeral rites here. Also on that blog post you can see a picture of a fairly new baby Archie being held by his uncle–and this week he turns one year old!

We have always had good experiences with coffees from Sulawesi (we also have our Organic Sulawesi Rantekarua Estate in stock), and this is no exception. In the cup it is earthy, nutty, sweet, and full-bodied. You can try a cup on us this week with the code backpack fun*. I hope that you are enjoying your summer as much as we are–and with just as much good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Sulawesi Toraja (Celebes Kalossi). Code expires on 7.27.17. 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.

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Local Beauty, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 21st July, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 14th July, 2017

Posted on July 14 2017 by Holly Fike

Brazil Fazenda Sertaozinho Yellow Bourbon

The kids and I went kayaking at Lake Valley Reservoir on Wednesday afternoon, and had a blast. The water was relatively warm, completely clear, and the kids made instant friends with other families out enjoying the day. We explored all the islands, saw an osprey and a common merganser, clambered over rocks, raced across the lake, and mostly spent a day with a kid-based agenda. We ended the evening with hours of jumping off rocks into the water, over and over again. What a lovely day.

What could say summer more than jumping in a lake?

This week we have a new Brazilian for you: our Brazil Fazenda Sertaozinho Yellow Bourbon. We talked about this recently, but yellow bourbon is an arabica cultivar that ripens to yellow instead of the usual red. The yellow variety was first found in Brazil. The “bourbon” refers to a cultivar that was originally discovered on the island of Bourbon (now Reunion), which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

The estate where this is grown, Fazenda (farm) Sertaozinho, is run by José Renato Gonçalves Dias, whose great-grandparents were early coffee growers in Brazil. According to our broker, here, Fazenda Sertaozinho has

“300 hectares of protected forest with towering old growth trees called Jequitibá Rosa (Cariniana legalis), which are 40 meters tall and estimated to be more than 1,500 years old.”

Can you comprehend the age of those trees? 1500 years ago was medieval times in Europe, and native chiefdoms populated South America. From then to now–what a lot of changes.

It must be pretty magnificent to live around these old growth trees. The workers here also have the advantage of full time employment, housing, healthcare and a school provided for them. In turn, they produce high quality coffee, and there is a state-of-the-art processing facility at the Fazenda. Sr. Diaz is an agronomist, and uses his expertise to create a “biodiverse environment full of microorganisms and beneficial insects that support a healthy coffee crop.”

In the cup all of these choices have a chance to shine. This is a pulped natural coffee, where some of the fruit is left intact during drying. The roasted taste is of nuts and chocolate, with a medium acidity. It is a delicious way to start your day.

You can try a cup of this Brazilian on us with the code lake time*. I hope that you too get outside when you are able. There is an abundance of opportunity for outdoor fun in our local area. But whatever you do, drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Brazil Fazenda Sertaozinho Yellow Bourbon. Code expires on 7.20.17. 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.

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 14th July, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 7th July, 2017

Posted on July 11 2017 by Holly Fike

Kenya AA

This week was a whirlwind, with the Fourth of July falling on a Tuesday. I hope you each got to celebrate in whatever way you enjoy. We had a big family reunion, with lots of good food and good conversation. The highlight was that all four of Chuck and Caroline’s sons were there, and both of Chuck’s brothers. It was great to see the family congregate, and to see multiple generations converse together. The party continued all week, really, with the barbecue working overtime to feed everyone.

Sometimes we get deliveries of boxes, sometimes we get babies . . .

At the store we were open every day this week, and then until nine last night for the second Thursday Night Market. The fourth is so much fun here when the parade is in Grass Valley–it is the epitome of a small town parade, and everyone arrives early to get their favorite spot on the street. We served a lot of drinks to those staging and to those waiting for the start. It was a good day to celebrate our country.

At our home we could barely keep the coffee brewed. It was multiple pots each morning. Luckily we know the best place to find more 🙂 This week we finally have our Kenya AA back in stock for you. We’re featuring this favorite from smallholder farmers who bring their beans to a local co-op and wet mill for processing.

This Kenya is grown at high elevation, and it is a blend of two different arabica varieties: SL28 and SL34, both of which were developed by Scott Laboratories (SL) at the request of the Kenyan government. I talked about them in a 2016 newsletter, here, and there are links to read more about it if you like. Both cultivars have proven to be delicious in the cup, and we experience that in this sample.

You can try a cup of this Kenya on us with the code flag days*. It has great flavors of lemon and grapefruit with a lingering finish. I hope that you enjoy your weekend. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Kenya AA. Code expires on 7.13.17. 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.

Posted in Celebrations, Coffee Descriptions, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 7th July, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 30th June, 2017

Posted on July 11 2017 by Holly Fike

Organic Papua New Guinea Timuza

Last night was the first downtown Thursday Night Market, and by all accounts it was a great event. We stayed open until 9 pm, and it was fun to see many of you stopping in or strolling by. It will continue to run on Thursday nights until August 3rd, so come on out and listen to the music, buy some produce, or simply enjoy the sights. The people watching is great.

Grandma and her newest grandson

We’ve had the fun of family visiting for the last week (and more to come this week). Over the weekend we headed out camping together–I think there were almost a dozen kids, twelve and under. Needless to say, there was a lot of water play, and the canoe and kayaks we brought were popular with all. We set up tents, but most of the kids slept outside or in their hammocks.

We started each morning with good Carolines coffee, brewed in a stainless French press. The adults, myself included, can’t seem to drink enough coffee while camping. We might not sleep as well as the kiddos. Or maybe it’s the campfire smoke that makes you reach for another mug? Whatever the reason, I know that coffee is especially appreciated while camping.

This week we are featuring our Organic Papua New Guinea Timuza. I wrote about it here, back in February, but the short version is that it is grown by members of the Kamano tribe, who come together as a co-op to process their coffee. The coffee is shade-grown under native trees, and then fully washed and sun dried. The co-op provides education and assistance for the farmers, and last year this coffee placed first in the National Cupping Competition.

A fun fact about this coffee is that it is grown not far from where my mother teaches in an international school. A week ago she flew back from Papua New Guinea and got to meet her youngest grandson for the first time. So in honor of Grandma Jo this week, we recommend that you try this Organic Papua New Guinea coffee: freshly roasted for you. In the cup it is sweet and tastes of light apricot and plum flavors. For the next seven days you can try a cup on us with the code camping fun*.

Our local Independence Day parade is in downtown Grass Valley this year, at 11 am, so we will be open from 7 am – 12 pm on Tuesday. If you are in the parade, or attending the parade, come get a drink to cool you off. It’s always a fun event, where the best of small town America shines. I hope you all enjoy your holiday weekend, and drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Papua New Guinea Timuza. Code expires on 7.06.17. 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.

Save

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 30th June, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 23rd June, 2017

Posted on June 23 2017 by Holly Fike

Costa Rica Finca El Cabuyal La Ortiga

You know what they say about the best laid plans? Well last week we had a beautiful micro-lot Colombian Peaberry to share with you, and then I got sick. Oops. So this week you are welcome to try the Colombian, and we’ll leave it on sale another week. I won’t make this too long with all the details, but you can find this family-owned farm online here if you want to look it up. It’s managed by two brothers whose grandfather first cultivated coffee in the Valle de Cauca in the 1930’s.

All ready for the dress rehearsal

Despite being ill, I greatly enjoyed viewing my daughter’s ballet recital last weekend, and this week we’ve had a fun time with my sister and her kids in town. We’ve almost made it through the first heat wave of the year, with lots of water play to keep us cool. Luckily it looks like next week the highs will only be in the 80’s and 90’s–much better than the 100’s of this week. I hope that you all found a way to avoid overheating–I know that our mocha freezes helped a lot of you.

This week we have another micro-lot coffee for you. This is our Costa Rica Finca El Cabuyal, from La Ortiga de Colpachi. This five acre farm is owned by Manuel Carranza Navarro and Maria De Los Angeles Molina Navarro, and it was a wedding gift from her father. Manuel and Maria have spent ten years cultivating specialty coffee, and they have a micro mill on their property for meticulous processing.

The coffee is fully washed and dried on raised beds. The farm is at almost 6000′ elevation, so this is high grown and high density coffee. The couple are able to support their two sons through the income they make with these beans. In the cup this is roasted light, and you taste stone fruit, with a sweet vanilla finish. Their care shines through.

You can try a cup on us this week with the code June heat*. I hope you all have a plan to beat the heat this weekend. The rivers around here are still too high for swimming, but the lakes are great. And in Nevada County we always have the option to go up in elevation to cool down–Tahoe is a short drive away. Whatever you do, enjoy good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Costa Rica Finca El Cabuyal La Ortiga. Code expires on 6.29.17. 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.
Posted in Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 23rd June, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 9th June, 2017

Posted on June 23 2017 by Holly Fike

Organic Sulawesi Rantekarua Estate

Well, in our family we’ve made it to the official start of summer vacation. In the last week Jack’s team has played three baseball games (that’s him pitching in the header photo), we’ve had a birthday party for him, we had a successful yard sale, it was my birthday, Caroline has practiced for her cello recital and her ballet recital, and we have had several friends over. Whew. I think we are all ready for a less scheduled week. I’m sure all the teachers, parents and students feel the same way. I know that by the end of the break I’m ready for routine again, but tonight I’m looking forward to summer.

Intently watching his first baseball game

For my birthday I got to attend my son’s last Little League game of the regular season. Trace even told me he’d buy me anything I wanted at the snack shack–what an offer! We actually celebrated with a date the next day. Archie even made it to watch, and he was fascinated by all the movement under the lights. Holding my nephew and watching my son play was a great way to spend my birthday.

This week we have another new coffee for you: an Organic Sulawesi from the Rantekarua Estate. This estate is located above 5000′ elevation on the slopes of Mount Karua, in the Tana Toraja region of the southern part of Sulawesi. Sulawesi (formerly Celebes) looks rather like a four fingered hand. This coffee comes from the southwest, a highly volcanic region, and the nearest major city is four hours away.

That means that this coffee makes quite a trip to end up in your cup. Unlike many other Indonesian coffees, this Organic Sulawesi is fully washed and sun dried on raised beds. It has a clean sweet flavor, and tastes of light molasses and meyer lemon, with vanilla tones as you sip. It’s delicious, and I’m looking forward to drinking it all week.

You can try a cup on us this week with the code summer fun*. There are so many great things to do around this area when the weather is nice. I hope you all have plans to enjoy this summer. A big thanks to my kids’ teachers, who have led them so well this year. I appreciate you. May you all drink good coffee while enjoying your summer. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Sulawesi Rantekarua Estate. Code expires on 6.15.17. 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.

Save

Save

Posted in Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 9th June, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 2nd June, 2017

Posted on June 2 2017 by Holly Fike

Guatemala Huehuetenango Palhu SHB

Today is my son’s birthday: I can’t believe that another year has passed. He is driving home from science camp as I write, so we won’t celebrate until later. It’s amazing to me how much of your child’s personality changes as they grow, and how much of it stays the same. He still loves birds, enjoys soothing music, has a gentle side that notices the new flowers blooming and brings them to me, and thinks that baseball and golf are the best. I still picture the toddler with a stick throwing and hitting pine cones in the yard, then stopping still when he hears birdsong. Jack Fike, I’m glad to be your mom.

All ready for pioneer days at Malakoff

I spent two days this week camping up at Malakoff Diggins with my daughter’s class. They are studying California history, and the gold rush of 1849. The group dressed in “authentic” garb, got to tour the town of North Bloomfield, or Humbug (thus the header picture of the apothecary), gold panned, and made all sorts of pioneer crafts. There were cloth dolls, wooden toys, tin lanterns, and cooking in a dutch oven with coals from the fire. It was a great experience, for parents and kids alike.

This week we have a new coffee for you: Guatemala Huehuetenango Palhu SHB. This is a single farm micro-lot from from the Finca La Providencia in the town of San Pedro Necta, in the Huehuetenango region (pronounced way-way-ten-ay-go–isn’t that fun to say?). This is the far west of Guatemala, almost to Mexico. Huehuetenango is known as one of the premier coffee growing regions, and this coffee is SHB or Strictly Hard Bean, which means that it is grown above 1350 meters.

Since Huehuetenango is so far from the coast, the logistics of getting the coffee exported can be complicated. For this reason, the coffee is processed on site. According to our broker, here, “the heart of La Providencia is a beautifully maintained mill that begins at a high point on the sloped property, designed to take full advantage of gravity, where the ripe cherries are placed in water and carried through the depulping process on a series of intricate canals to the drying patios below.” Finca La Providencia is owned by Maximiliano Palacios and his family, and they are third generation coffee farmers.

The “Palhu” name of this coffee is a combination of the family name and the growing region. We’ve roasted this light, and in the cup you taste the beauty of the bean: a gentle stone fruit flavor with a smooth chocolate finish. You can try a cup on us this week with the code gold rush*. To all the teachers, parents, and students out there with one more week of school: enjoy the final countdown. May you drink good coffee while looking forward to the summer break. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Guatemala Huehuetenango Palhu SHB. Code expires on 6.08.17. 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.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Local Beauty, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 2nd June, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 26th May, 2017

Posted on May 26 2017 by Holly Fike

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.

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Employees, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 26th May, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 19th May, 2017

Posted on May 19 2017 by Holly Fike

Nicaragua Maragogype

What a spectacular week, weather-wise anyway. It rained on Tuesday night, and then we enjoyed a cloud display Wednesday morning, and the rest of the week has been clear and sunny. It’s starting to feel like summer is peeking around the corner. We’ve been getting plants in the ground at our house, which is one of my favorite things to do. Last weekend I spend most of both days in the yard. At the end of last summer we added a cutting garden bed, and it’s been so fun to plant seeds in it and look forward to the flowers to come.

These two brought me breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day–so sweet.

On Sunday my kids spoiled me by bringing me breakfast in bed and showering me with gifts and cards throughout the day. It still amazes me that they’re old enough to do that without help. Caroline also made us all a charcuterie platter for lunch out in the yard, and printed up a beautiful menu (complete with a few of her own adorable spellings) for the day.

This week we have a unique bean for you. This is our Nicaragua Margogype, also known as the “elephant bean.” It is a genetic mutation of Typica, a common arabica varietal. It is sought after for its mild and smooth taste. If you order this whole bean, you can see that it is at least a third again larger than most of our coffees. It’s always a fun bean to feature for that reason.

This particular Maragogype comes from Nicaragua, from small farmers in the far north of the country, not far from the border with Honduras. The coffee is fully washed (wet process), at the Beneficio La Estrella in Ocotal. In the cup it is sweet like milk chocolate, with a smooth and creamy finish.

You can try a cup on us this week with the code elephant bean*. Enjoy your sunny weekend–there’s so much to do around our local area. No matter what you do, drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Nicaragua Maragogype. Code expires on 5.25.17. 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.

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 19th May, 2017

Weekly Newsletter: 12th May, 2017

Posted on May 12 2017 by Holly Fike

Organic Rainforest Alliance Flores

What happens to the month of May? Is it a whirlwind for you too? Is it only crazy for those of us with school age kids who are doing all the projects this month, or does it seem wild to the rest of you? Or maybe the culprit is the little league baseball season, which can be nonstop–especially with makeup games to play after all the rain of this spring. Whatever the reason, my May seems to be blowing by as fast as the roses and dogwoods are blooming.

Having fun at the Rivercats game last weekend

Luckily, the events that are keeping us busy are all good. Last weekend we had family visiting, a unique school fundraiser, ballet, baseball, and then on Sunday we went with Little League to a Rivercats game. Of all those things, I think that my favorite moment was watching a Black Phoebe catch bugs in the yard while I was watering the tomatoes. I might have to search for quiet moments, but I sure appreciate them when they occur.

This week we have an island grown bean for you. In the coffee world, the island of Java is probably the most well-known, since coffee has been nicknamed “java” for a long time. Around here we talk a lot about our Sumatra and Sulawesi coffees. And two weeks ago we featured a coffee from the island of Bali. This week we have a coffee from a much more obscure Indonesian island: Flores.

Flores is located to the east of Java and Sumatra, and is one of the Lesser Sunda islands, in the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It is south of Sulawesi, and the island of Komodo, famous for its Komodo dragons, is just to the west. In fact, Flores is the only other place in the world where Komodo dragons are found wild. The topography of Flores is dominated by volcanoes, and it is on the slopes of the Inierie volcano that this coffee is grown. Check out the stunning scenery in these blog photos here.

This coffee comes from small family farmers who are working together to improve their coffee processing and export their beans. They are organic and Rainforest Alliance certified. They have taken exquisite care with these beans, and it shows in the final cup. This coffee tastes of creamy chocolate, with a full-bodied nutty finish. It’s sweet and easy to drink, with light floral tones as you sip.

You can try a cup of this Organic Flores on us this week with the code May days*. It sounds like you’re calling for help if you say it fast–and that humor might help me get through this month. If you are also experiencing a busy month, come slow down for a moment with a cup of coffee. Enjoy your week!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Rainforest Alliance Flores. Code expires on 5.18.17. 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.

Posted in Coffee Descriptions, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weekly Newsletter: 12th May, 2017


Newsletter Sign-Up
 

phone-footer

  

530 273-6424 | 800 600-6424
 map-marker Carolines Coffee Roasters
128 S. Auburn St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
clock Monday-Friday: 6am-5:30pm,
Saturday-Sunday: 7am-5:30pm 

Fridays for
Cornish Christmas: 6am-9pm