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Weekly Newsletter: Costa Rican Miel

Posted on July 18 2014 by Holly Fike

Moody Skies Costa Rican Miel

This has been a quiet week around the Fike ranch. Last Sunday we took the ferry to a San Francisco Giants game, and friends came over to swim on Wednesday, but otherwise it has been a calm summer week. Thunderclouds keep passing overhead, and the sunsets have been spectacular. Tomorrow we will attend the wedding of our nephew and intrepid graphic designer, Grady Fike. Congratulations to Grady and his charming fiance, Marty!

Young Giants fans.

We’re packing a pound of this Costa Rican to take with us this weekend. This Costa Rican Miel is a treat to drink. It is a honeyed Costa Rican bean (miel means honey in Spanish), which refers to the processing of the coffee. Another name for a miel bean is a pulped natural coffee, sort of in between the wet and dry process. In this case some of the skin is removed from the coffee seed, but the pulp is left intact. Then the beans are dried with the fruit still on.

Processing the coffee this way means that the coffee must be carefully dried and constantly turned to prevent molding or fermentation. It needs to be fully dried and rested before the rest of the mucilage is removed. This gives the beans a sweet, full flavor without sacrificing the clean brightness that you would expect from a Costa Rican bean.

This Costa Rican Miel has been an employee favorite over the years, on the occasions that we have been able to procure it. It has a remarkable sweetness–a honey flavor perhaps? In college I studied French, and the word for honey is the same in that language. I don’t know about Spanish, but in French the word rolls off your tongue, like the last drip of honey falls off a spoon. Come in and try a cup on us this week with the code pulped natural*.

Also, tomorrow is the annual downtown Sidewalk Sale from 9-2, with all kinds of goods marked down. Mill Street will be filled with bargains, so it’s a good time to visit. Whatever you do, drink good coffee. Enjoy!

–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Costa Rican. Code expires on 7.24.14. 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, Downtown Events, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged Carolines Coffee, Carolines Coffee Roasters, coffee, Costa Rica, Costa Rican coffee, Costa Rican Miel, Downtown Grass Valley, Free Coffee, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Organic Honduras

Posted on July 11 2014 by Holly Fike

Yard Full of Family

Organic Honduras

Last week we had visitors from Georgia all week, and we had such a fun time seeing this area we live in through different eyes. We are blessed to live in this county, with so much outdoor activity available. They visited Lake Tahoe, Downieville, Sardine Lake, Loney Meadows, and downtown Grass Valley and Nevada City, and even stopped by Muir Woods on their way into town. We also had amazing family dinners most nights–our barbeque was working overtime.

Caroline loved having cousins visiting!

This week we’ve been decompressing from our busy June. The kids have been swimming everyday, we’ve been out to eat twice already (no cooking or cleaning!), and I’ve had a much more regular schedule at the store. The slowing down has been lovely, and this has been our most relaxing week of the summer. Last night we all slept outside, only to be woken by rain, thunder, and lightning. What a night!

I was grateful for a cup of coffee this morning, after staying up watching the mostly full moon playing with the clouds. The same moon shines the world round, keeping watch over coffee plants in the mountains of La Paz, where this week’s coffee originates. This Organic Honduran came by container ship up the Pacific coastline, bringing us these beans to enjoy.

If you like Central American coffees, you’re sure to like this strictly high-grown Organic Honduran. This coffee was processed by a co-operative of farmers, and they have a website here. On the left hand side you can choose to see it in English. This particular lot comes from the Marcala region of La Paz, an area so noted for quality coffee that they have their own designation (similar to Champagne, in France).

It is also certified Fair Trade, and the cooperative is dedicated to caring for the environment and to bettering the lives of their farmers. According to their website, 99% of their partner’s children are enrolled in school–that’s a great percentage in any country, much less a developing one. The coffee is wet processed, and the taste in the cup is very clean. There is exceptional flavor to the beans, predominantly nutty and sweet tones.

Come in and try a cup on us this week by using the code sweet tones*. It should be a good week to pick up a mocha freeze and head to the water somewhere. Mocha freezes were definitely popular last night at the downtown Thursday Night Market, and we’ll be open late on Thursday again next week. Have a great July summer week: Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Honduran. Code expires on 7.17.14. 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.

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Weekly Newsletter: Organic Mexican Chiapas

Posted on June 27 2014 by Holly Fike

Fallen Leaf Lake Organic Mexican Chiapas

At the end of last week we went camping up at Fallen Leaf Lake, by Tahoe. Only two hours from home, but such a wonderful getaway. The kids spent their time kayaking and roasting marshmallows over the campfire. I enjoyed talking with siblings and friends, and I even got to read a little here and there. Trace cooked everyone splendid meals–people walking by commented on how good our food looked.

Trace Cooking This week my kids have been camping at Scotts Flat Lake, just outside of Nevada City, with my sister. I can go up there after work, check on some worn out kids, and still make it back to the store the next day. Jack has been attempting to fish from a kayak, and Caroline loves paddling around, or swimming with her cousins. They both enjoyed hiking around the lake, and sailing with their Papa.

This morning I went and picked my kids up. I think that they would move to the shores of Scotts Flat, if that was a choice, and sleep under the stars at all times. Oh and if their cousins could move to California and live lakeside with them, that would be even better.

For all of those chill mornings while camping, we had coffee to warm us up. I’m sure that it was especially helpful to my sister, who had six kids to take care of when I was at work. She’s a saint, or at least one hard-working mama, which is the same thing.

This week our coffee of the week is Organic Mexican Chiapas. This is a wet-milled coffee from the south Sierra Madre region of Mexico, almost to Guatemala. It would be perfect to drink while camping: in the cup it tastes of chocolate, has a pleasant acidity, and medium body, and finishes with a caramel flavor.

Come in and try a cup on us this weekend by using the code live lakeside*. Next Friday will be the fourth of July, so enjoy your time celebrating our country with friends and family. Last night the first Thursday Night Market was packed, and we’ll be open late again next week. If you’re headed out of town for the holiday next week, stay safe and take good coffee along. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

Camping Collage

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Mexican Chiapas. Code expires on 7.03.14. 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 Holidays, Local Beauty, Weekly Newsletters | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Nicaraguan

Posted on June 13 2014 by Holly Fike

Yuba River Header Fair Trade Nicaraguan

How did you beat the heat this week? My kids spent a lot of time in the pool, and I talked to friends who made it to the river, or to one of our local lakes. It was a good week to be in the water, and we are lucky to have so many swimming opportunities in our backyard. Erin, over at the Outside Inn has some great pictures of the South Yuba River on her blog this week for those of you who can’t enjoy it in person.

It was a great day for pool play.

This is a busy weekend in Nevada County. There’s the Nevada City Bicycle Classic in downtown Nevada City, the Bluegrass Festival at the fairgrounds, and a host of other events, including the first Nevada City Farmers Market (the Growers Market at the North Star house has been going for a while now). We have a family reunion going on this weekend and Sunday is Father’s Day. If you’re looking for something to do with your dad locally, you have a plethora of choices!

In coffee this week we have our Fair Trade Nicaraguan. There was the most beautiful breeze this morning while I was sipping this. The birds were practically shouting their greeting to the day, and it felt downright cool as I watched the wild turkeys strut around the field out my window. I recommend waking up to a cup of this coffee–although an iced drink might be better later in the day.

Our Fair Trade Nicaraguan is roasted light and you can taste nutty and chocolate flavors as you drink it. I had some when I got to the store today with a few bites of a Cello Chocolate bar, and it was a tasty combination. In fact, if your dad likes coffee and chocolate, this would make a great gift. Or of course one of our gift cards are always popular.

I hope that you enjoy your weekend, no matter what your plans. If you make it to downtown Grass Valley, come on in and try this Nicaraguan on us with the code great gift.* Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Nicaraguan. Code expires on 6.19.14. 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.

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Weekly Newsletter: Organic Natural Balinese

Posted on May 30 2014 by Holly Fike

Organic Natural Balinese

In our household there is one week of the school year left after today. It’s hard to believe that I will be the mother of a 2nd and 4th grader. Where does the time go? Well this week it went to celebrating Becky’s birthday, two baseball games, ballet practice, and Open House at school. Isn’t it nice that the weather is perfect and that a number of those things were outdoors? I do enjoy being outside when I’m not at work.

Becky and Caroline enjoying the birthday cake Caroline made for her aunt.

This week we have Organic Natural Balinese as our coffee of the week. It seems that the word “natural” can mean many different things, especially in labeling. In this case it refers to the way the coffee was processed. Natural is another name for dry processing, or leaving the cherry on the bean while it dries. This results in fruity, almost grape-y flavors in the cup.

Natural processed coffees tend to be love or hate type of coffees. If you like dry processed beans, you tend to love them all, whether from Yemen or Bali. If you don’t like those fruity tones, you generally won’t like this bean. However, if you haven’t experienced the difference between these two types of processing, come on in and try a sample of last weeks Colombian Supremo against this Organic Balinese. Yes, they come from two different countries, but you will definitely notice a lack of fruit tones in the wet-processed Colombian.

You can try a cup of Organic Natural Balinese on us by using the code summer’s coming* this week. The actual change of seasons might not occur for another month, but the end of school is coming, and in our family that qualifies as summer. Enjoy the coffee this week and find some quiet in the sunshine. That’s my plan anyway. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Natural Balinese. Code expires on 6.05.14. 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.

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Weekly Newsletter: Colombian Supremo

Posted on May 23 2014 by Holly Fike

Shadows Colombian Supremo

We’ve been traveling this week in our family. I spent a delightful two days in San Francisco on a field trip with Jack’s class, and today Trace is in Illinois for Andrew’s graduation from Navy bootcamp. The kids and I watched it streaming live this morning, and we were certain that Andrew was one of the guys wearing white, with a white hat. My, they do all look alike on video.

Jack and I had perfect weather in San Francisco. While those of you in Nevada County got rain, we had only sunshine and wind. The kids all loved playing at the Exploratorium, and they were amazed by the exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences. If you haven’t visited either of those museums, I highly recommend them, especially for kids. Jack’s favorites were the birds and butterflies at Cal Academy, and the circuits and marble wall at the Exploratorium. Playing with colored shadows, as in the header picture, was fun too.

Happy Birthday Becky!

Yesterday, before he left town, Trace roasted Colombian Supremo, and we all got to sample it. This is across the South Pacific from last week’s Sumatra: and the flavor profile is quite different. It has a medium body, light floral tones, and finishes with a distinct bittersweet chocolate flavor. You could drink this all day long, and it would be great brewed strong and served over ice.

If you have children in school, I hope that you are enjoying the countdown to summer. I know that for us at least it’s a busy two weeks, full of fun activities. Carolines will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, from 7 am to 4 pm. Come on in and pick up a mocha freeze on your way to a barbeque (or try the Colombian on us with the code over ice*). While you’re here, be sure to wish a happy birthday to our marvelous manager, Miss Becky Miller! We’ll be celebrating with her for sure. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Colombian Supremo. Code expires on 5.29.14. 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.

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Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Organic Lintong Sumatra

Posted on May 16 2014 by Holly Fike

Employee Cupping May Fair Trade Organic Lintong Sumatra

What a day it has been. I had great plans of telling you about our employee coffee cupping this week, and how a number of us loved this Fair Trade Organic Sumatra best of all. But instead our internet went out about six hours ago, and I’ve been working on that with the lovely folks at Comcast and R and B Computers all day. That’s how some days go.

We’ve got internet again now, but due to the late time, this will be a short and sweet e-mail. I will try to get some pictures of the coffee cupping uploaded to our Facebook page this weekend. I think that we all learned our coffees better, and I know that we all enjoyed it. On Wednesday night we sampled an Ethiopian and a Kenyan alongside this Sumatra.

The Ethiopian was a natural process bean, and had strong berry overtones and aroma. The Kenyan was a beautiful bean, a top lot Kenyan: clean and pure in the cup. We’ll be featuring both of those soon. This Sumatra appealed to those who preferred a more earthy bean. It had a garden taste, and complex flavors.

This Fair Trade Organic Lintong Sumatra comes from the northern part of the island of Sumatra. It’s a wet-processed bean, full-bodied, and roasted light. You can try a cup on us by using the code top lot* this week. I hope that your weekend goes smoothly, with no technology issues. We can all drink to that. Cheers.
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Lintong Sumatra. Code expires on 5.22.14. 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.

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Weekly Newsletter: French Roast

Posted on May 9 2014 by Holly Fike

Coffee Bags Header

French Roast

Good day friends! We were surprised this morning when a crew from Good Day Sacramento walked through our door. They were looking for a good cup of coffee and heard we were the place to go. Since they were here they filmed a quick segment live. How’s that for a way to start your morning? Many thanks to all of you who directed them our way. As we like to say, you never know who will walk through the door.

Holly and Caroline This week we have a special treat for all of you dark roast lovers. Our French Roast has been one of our top-sellers since we started roasting thirty years ago. It is a blend that changes from time to time, as coffees become available or not, but the flavor profile is consistent.

Right now our French Roast is a mix of Brazilian, a SHB Costa Rican, a Nicaraguan and a Guatemalan. This gives it the full-bodied and bold flavor that you expect from a dark coffee. It will also make a great shot of espresso, with a thick crema, if you’re so inclined.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there. Motherhood has been a great and rewarding challenge in my life. All of us have a mother, and some of us are mothers. Whatever side of the equation that you are on, it is always good to be grateful. I am thankful for my mom, and for all of the other men and women who have been mentors/mothers in my life. I hope that this Sunday you get a chance to say thank you to someone you love.

Enjoy the French Roast this week. Next week we’ll be back to a light roasted coffee for you to sample. To try a cup on us this week use the code bold flavor*. I’m sure that I will be spoiled Sunday with handmade gifts from my kiddos (thanks teachers!) and lots of love from my husband. I hope that you too enjoy your weekend with gratitude, whomever and however you celebrate. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of French Roast. Code expires on 5.15.14. 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.

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Weekly Newsletter: Organic Balinese

Posted on May 2 2014 by Holly Fike

blossoms header Organic Balinese

I had the most entertaining e-mail conversation this week with a new customer in Canada. She e-mailed me because she had seen one of our mugs on the counter of a coffee shop in Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada. Black Diamond is just southwest of Calgary, and north of western Montana.

Spotted in a Canadian coffee shop.

Her name is Caroline, and when she saw her name in bright red and white she was delighted, and looked us up online. After a slew of e-mails back and forth, she ended up ordering a number of logo’d items from us. How fun is that? She was heading back to Black Diamond yesterday, and going to send us a photo of the mug in front of the Rockies, if possible. When I receive it, I’ll post it on our Facebook page here.

We also have photos of our products in Norway and Antarctica. If you have a picture of a mug, or a t-shirt with our logo, we’d love to see it. The further away from little Grass Valley, the better. With your permission I will share them on our Facebook page to showcase them. Although I think that for distance and peculiarity, Antarctica will be hard to beat!

Our coffee this week is the Organic Balinese. This has been a popular coffee every time we’ve featured it: you all seem to love the nutty, full-bodied flavor. This is a washed Balinese, and last year we ran it as a special alongside a natural Balinese, for comparison.

The term “washed” refers to the processing, and means the fruit and mucilage is removed (by washing) from the coffee beans before they are dried. In the natural process, the fruit is left to dry on the beans, and later milled off, and you taste those fruity flavors in the cup.

This Balinese has a much cleaner flavor than its dried counterpart. It begins with a taste reminiscent of cashews, and finishes with dark chocolate tones. You can try a cup on us by using the code Black Diamond* this week. We’re always glad to hear from our customers around the globe, no matter their name. A big thank you to all of you who participated in our April giveaways last month. It was fun to read all of your comments and memories. Enjoy the month of May–maybe we’ll have another giveaway soon!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Balinese. Code expires on 5.08.14. 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.

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Weekly Newsletter: Rainforest Alliance Costa Rican Tarrazu

Posted on April 11 2014 by Holly Fike

Rainforest Alliance Costa Rican Tarrazu

The weather this week has felt like we jumped with both feet into late spring. We went from snow ten days ago, to temperatures in the 70’s this week. In our family the week was packed with the first games of the Little League season. My eight year old son struck out three batters in his first appearance as a minor league pitcher, and he was still beaming when the game ended. He struggled to go to sleep that night, and he practically floated to school the next morning. His confidence boost was a joy to see.

IMG_9718_edited-1 I hope that you’ve been able to get outdoors this week. We’ve moved on from daffodils to the apple and cherry trees blooming around here. The cycle of spring continues and the progression delights me daily. Little Caroline has taken to placing blossoms in her hair when we leave in the morning: she’s sure that people will be confused and think it is snow. I’m not sure why that will be so hilarious, but then I am not seven years old.

This week I am glad to announce that our Costa Rican is back. Some of you have been asking for it, so we’re featuring it this week. This is a SHB (strictly high bean) Costa Rican from the volcanic mountains of Tarrazu. The SHB designation indicates that the coffee is grown at a high altitude, which leads to lower production and a denser bean. This is important because the quality and taste tend to be higher in the cup.

Costa Rican is an easy entry into the world of specialty coffee. It’s a perennial favorite among our customers. This is roasted light, and the aroma is amazing. It draws you in as you inhale deeply. Once you sip, you find an extraordinarily smooth coffee. It is one of the lightest bodied coffees that we carry, with a mild, silky flavor on the tongue.

As a reminder, our April giveaways are continuing, and another winner will be drawn on Monday. Go leave a comment on our blog here for a chance to win. We appreciate that you are the reason we have been here for 32 years and we’re giving away product to celebrate. For your free cup of Costa Rican this week use the code silky flavor*. Oh, and if you have kids and live in Nevada County, enjoy your Spring Break!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Costa Rican Tarrazu. Code expires on 4.17.14. 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 Carolines Coffee, Carolines Coffee Roasters, Costa Rica, Costa Rican La Pastora Tarrazu, Free Coffee, giveaway, Rainforest Alliance, SHB, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Yemen Mocha Sanani

Posted on April 4 2014 by Holly Fike

inside of store header Yemen Mocha Sanani

This week we said good-bye to our sweet baker, Karen, who is moving out of town. She’s been baking for us for four and a half years, and this was her second stint at Carolines–after working here many years ago. Karen was a joy as an employee, and always a listening ear in the kitchen. We will miss her calm spirit and her cheerful consistency in the back. Fortunately, Ruth, who is currently enrolled in the baking program at Le Cordon Bleu, has agreed to bake for us. Ruth has been a barista for us for years, and now she will use her training to produce our fresh-baked items. We welcome Ruth and wish Karen all the best!

We will miss you Karen!

This has been a month of transitions for us, with some employees leaving and new ones being hired. This week we also have something entirely different in our coffee line-up: our Yemen Mocha is back. This Yemen is not certified organic, but coffees in Yemen are grown in the traditional manner, that hasn’t changed much in 2000 years. You can read more about it here.

Yemen Sanani comes from the mountains around the capital of Yemen, on the western side of the country. It is a natural processed coffee, meaning that the coffee is dried with the cherry intact. Natural coffees tend to have more fruit flavors, and this Yemen is no exception.

You can use this week’s code to try a cup of this Yemen on us. Expect to taste a high acidity coffee, with lots of berry tones*. It’s a popular one with our employees, and we’ve been enjoying it since Trace roasted it yesterday.

On another note entirely, April marks our 32nd anniversary of being in business, thus the historic picture in the header. We are celebrating with giveaways on our blog here, so be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win some Carolines goodies. Thanks for being the reason we are in business. We appreciate each of you.
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Yemen Mocha. Code expires on 4.10.14. 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, Giveaway | Tagged Carolines Coffee, Carolines Coffee Roasters, Free Coffee, giveaway, Weekly Newsletter, Yemen Mocha | Comments Off

April Giveaways

Posted on April 4 2014 by Holly Fike

A vintage shot of Caroline.

Years ago I learned the old joke, “If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring? (Pilgrims).” Well around here, April brings giveaways and a celebration. This month marks our 32nd year of being in business, and we want to celebrate by thanking all of you, our customers.

Tell us a favorite Carolines memory of yours in the comments below, and you’ll be entered to win some of our favorite Carolines items: mugs, t-shirts, sweatshirts and of course coffee. Each Monday in April we will draw a winner (or two) from the comment section on this post. It’s our way of thanking you for 32 years.

All the details: No purchase is necessary to enter or to win. Giveaway is limited to residents of the United States. Duplicate entries will only be counted once. Entrants must be 18 years old or older. Winners will be drawn at random on April 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, 2014, and notified by e-mail that same day. Items must be picked up by Nevada County residents, and will be shipped to those out of the area.

EDIT:: The winners have been e-mailed, and the contest has ended. Many thanks to all of you for your nice comments. 4.29.14

Posted in Celebrations, Giveaway | Tagged anniversary, Carolines Coffee Roasters, giveaway | 25 Comments

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Weekly Newsletter: Organic Honduras

Weekly Newsletter: Organic Mexican Chiapas

Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Nicaraguan

Weekly Newsletter: Organic Natural Balinese

Weekly Newsletter: Colombian Supremo

Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Organic Lintong Sumatra

Weekly Newsletter: French Roast

Weekly Newsletter: Organic Balinese

April Giveaways

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