Organic Shade Grown Costa Rican Amistad

We’re a week into May already: can you believe it? This time of year becomes a whirlwind for me, between school winding down and little league and ballet continuing. Both of my kids have overnight fieldwork in the next two weeks, and they’re excited. Jack’s trip requires that he and I dress in period attire for the gold rush, so if any of you have a calico dress lying around, or a full length skirt, let me know. Otherwise I’ll be hitting up all the local thrift stores.

Mother and son around 1988.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. If your mother loves coffee, you know where to come. As a mother myself, I am in awe of all mothers. It requires commitment and care for others that often goes unnoticed. I am very grateful for my mother, who thoughtfully raised her four kids and now spends her time teaching other’s children. I am also thankful to all the other women in my life who have been such a great example of what mothering looks like.

One of my role models is my mother-in-law, and good friend, Caroline Fike, who started this business after raising her four boys. She built this store into a community gathering place, and her emphasis on customer service is why we’re still in business today. Not everyone could pass the reins on to a younger generation with grace, but she allows Trace and I the freedom to run this store with her name on the door. I couldn’t ask for a better business partner.

This week we have a new coffee for you to try. This is an organic single estate Costa Rican, from Finca Amistad. This farm is in the far south of Costa Rica, near the Panama border. It is owned by Roberto Montero, who is the third generation of his family to farm this land. His grandfather bought the land in the early 1900’s, and since then the family has donated over 6000 hectacres of land to the government as part of La Amistad International Park. The park spans both countries and has been named a world heritage site.

Finca (farm) Amistad grows their coffee in the shade of native trees, and this is a certified organic and shade-grown coffee. They are committed to preserving their environment, and their seasonal workers are provided with housing and medical care (see here). Coffee is only one of their crops, since they also grow and process dried fruit. Most of their land is preserved in its natural state, and it is home to some amazing and exotic creatures.

This Costa Rican is sweet, and I thoroughly enjoyed my cup (or two) this morning. The aroma hits you first, and then you taste caramel and light fruit flavors. It is rich with a medium body and finishes with chocolate tones. Everyone who tried it enjoyed it when we were tasting it, so it’s a crowd pleaser.

I hope that you get to celebrate your mother this weekend, or another woman who is instrumental in your life. On Monday the Amgen Tour of California will go right through Nevada City and Grass Valley, so come grab a cup of coffee and walk up the street to watch. You can try a cup of this Organic Shade Grown Costa Rican on us with the code sweet cup* this week.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. May you feel celebrated today and everyday (and especially on the hard days). I’ll drink to moms this week. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Shade Grown Costa Rican Amistad. Code expires on 5.14.15. 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.