Blog

Weekly Newsletter: Organic Mexican

Posted on March 28 2014 by Holly Fike

Organic Mexican

I had the privilege this week of flying to Portland to stay with my brother’s two children while he and his wife were at the hospital for the birth of their third child. On Monday we enjoyed a day of unusual sun and warmth, and walked along the river, under a cascade of cherry blossoms. I think that all of Portland was out appreciating the sun–the path was full. At one point there was a gust of wind, and petals filled the air like a fragrant pale pink storm.

In awe of their new baby brother.

Even more beautiful was welcoming baby Jude to the world early on Tuesday. His brother and sister could not have been more amazed and delighted. I loved watching their sweet faces light up as they caressed and sang to him. His four year old sister held him so much that this auntie barely had a turn. What a treat to be a part of their family for this important week.

Since I just got back into town I haven’t had much opportunity to try our Organic Mexican, so I poured a cup this morning and wow, does it have great flavor. It’s chocolate-y and nutty and almost a caramel sweet. This would keep you going even with a newborn baby, a four year old and a two year old. I might need to send a package up to Portland. It’s full-bodied and delicious with a medium acidity that holds up even as it cools.

This Mexican comes from Chiapas, in the far south of the country. The farmers here have formed a co-op with the express purpose of growing high quality organic coffee. This is a washed coffee, grown with care at high elevations* in the Sierra Madre mountains. We’re proud to offer it this week, and you can try a cup on us by using the code in bold above.

No matter where your week takes you, I hope that you start each day with good coffee. I’ll be drinking to new babies this week, and to the joy of spending time with family. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Mexican. Code expires on 4.03.14. 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 Coffee Descriptions, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged Carolines Coffee, Carolines Coffee Roasters, coffee, Free Coffee, Mexican coffee, Organic Mexican, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Organic Timor

Posted on March 21 2014 by Holly Fike

Chuck and Andrew Fair Trade Organic Timor

The cute boy in his Grandpa’s arms in the header photo turned 23 yesterday, and next week he leaves for the Navy. Andrew has worked here off and on since he was young (but maybe a bit older than the above picture), most recently as our cook for the last four months. He’s a good cook, and great fun to have around, and we will miss him. Best of luck Andrew, and we’ll send you coffee whenever you like!

We’re proud of you Andrew.

This week our coffee of the week is our Fair Trade Organic Timor. Last time we featured this bean, I wrote about how East Timor is one of the world’s newest countries, having been established in 2002. East Timor was a Portuguese colony and coffee has been grown there for hundreds of years. Much of the coffee in East Timor was wiped out from coffee leaf rust (see the article here), and most of their current coffee is a rust-resistant varietal, hibrido de Timor.

These beans come from high altitude small farms in Timor, where due to foreign aid this fair trade cooperative was established in 2001. Many farmers are growing crops at the subsistence level, so coffee as a cash crop is a valuable commodity. This is a washed Arabica bean, processed in the capital city of Dili.

When Trace roasted this coffee yesterday, it was a very consistent and clean bean. It roasted beautifully, and had a distinct parchment line at the first crack, more like many Central American coffees than other Indonesian beans. The taste is also brighter, without the earthy flavors that tend to be a signature of coffees from this region. It has a raisin tanginess* as you first sip, and then lingering almond tones at the finish.

I enjoyed drinking this Timor this morning while the world awoke and the birds commenced their early greeting. I tasted it by the flickering candlelight that sends twinkling shadows around my room. I hope that your day started with a similar sense of peace–and good coffee. This week I’ll be drinking to the young man pictured on this page. Here’s to you Andrew Fike. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Timor. Code expires on 3.20.14. 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, coffee, East Timor, Fair Trade Organic Timor, Free Coffee, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Organic Peru

Posted on March 14 2014 by Holly Fike

Fair Trade Organic Peru

Top of the morning to you! Sorry, I couldn’t help it. St. Patrick’s Day is on Monday, and I still have kids of an age to believe in leprechauns and wear green. This week was my little girl’s birthday–I can’t believe that she is seven. Yesterday she and I went snowshoeing together with her class. It was an easy trip, appropriate for first-graders, and we both had fun spending the day outdoors. Tomorrow is her party, so I plan to spend the rest of today making an ocean-themed cake (I guess I better do some internet research).

My seven year old snowshoer.

This week our coffee is our Fair Trade Organic Peruvian. It is from the Sol y Cafe Cooperative on the western side of the country, in the Andes. As you can imagine, these are high grown coffees from small farms. The coop also incorporates cacao growers, and if you would like to try chocolate from Peru we recommend the Peru bar from Cello Chocolate. This coffee is also Rainforest Alliance certified, meaning that these beans were grown under the shade of the rainforest trees, in a sustainable and responsible manner.

On Thursday our new intern, Tyler Hargrove, roasted these beans under Trace’s tutelage. Tyler has been meeting with Trace once a week to learn the roasting process. They roasted this light, and upon tasting it afterwards agreed that it is a classic South American bean. It has a medium acidity, strong chocolate tones and a smooth finish.

This is an easy to drink coffee, and I’m definitely planning on a cup with a slice of chocolate cake if my baking goes as planned. In the perfect spring weather that we’ve been having this week, my Saturday might start with a cup of coffee outside, while well-bundled of course. If you would like to sample this Peru, use the code high grown* for a free twelve ounce cup on us. It’s a good weekend to head down to your favorite coffee shop. Enjoy.
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Peru. Code expires on 3.20.14. 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 artisan chocolate, Carolines Coffee Roasters, coffee, Fair Trade Organic Peru, Free Coffee, Peruvian coffee, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: San Agustin Colombian

Posted on March 7 2014 by Holly Fike

San Agustin Colombian

March has arrived, and in our family that means the start of the Little League season. Despite the rainy week (which we need, so no complaints), we got in two practices, and it was nice to see a group of kids working on the skills they’ll need to be a team. Each practice had both raindrops and sunshine: it seemed like standard March weather. Can you believe that the daffodils are in full bloom in Nevada City, and the fruit trees are blossoming at lower elevations? Only two more weeks until Spring.

This week our featured coffee is San Agustin Colombian. This Colombian comes from the Huila region, very near the equator, so they are in the unusual circumstance of being able to grow and harvest year-round. The Huila region is in the south of Colombia, and these beans are high-grown, on small farms nestled on the Andean slopes.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of this Condor Huila coffee, and I do believe that we may have carried it that long. It has won the Cup of Excellence before, which is a competition for the coffees that cup the best in any one region. The award verifies the amount of care that is put into this coffee. Once brewed, this Colombian is smooth, with distinct chocolate notes*. It is full-bodied and has a caramel finish.

I have a date with my daughter today. She mastered tying her shoes this week, and since she has outgrown many of her shoes, we are going to get some “tie shoes” today. The sweet stages of growing up. She’s also making plans for the other many things we can do on our girl outing–go on a hike, paint our nails, make a craft. I think that we’ll have to narrow it down a little, but I have no doubt that my creative girl and I will have fun. It is quite a joy to be a mother (at least most of the time).

Whatever you do this afternoon and weekend, I hope that there is good coffee involved. Stop in anytime this week and try a cup of this Colombian on us by using to code in bold above. Now I’m off for girl time, but here’s wishing you all the best. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of San Agustin Colombian. Code expires on 3.06.14. 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 | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Organic Bolivian

Posted on February 28 2014 by Holly Fike

Rainy Downtown Fair Trade Organic Bolivian

See the headlights reflecting on the wet pavement in the above picture? Yes, we are finally enjoying a rainy day in northern California. I think that the plants are shaking their leaves and standing tall in the shower, while the flowers hunker down and wait for it to pass. The kids and I enjoyed walking to school in the rain this morning, and Caroline in her rain boots stomped in every puddle she could find.

Raindrops coat our early-opening flowers.

Tomorrow, rain or shine, is the annual Foothills Celebration. This is a food and wine tasting in downtown Grass Valley, where participating stores host local wineries and restaurants. We’ll be serving our coffee-rubbed tri-tip while Szabo Vineyards pours a selection of their wines. The event runs from 1 – 4 pm tomorrow, and you can find more information here and here.

This week we have a Fair Trade Organic Bolivian as our coffee of the week. Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America, so you can imagine the difficulties that poses for Andean coffee growers. They not only have infrastructure problems within the country (see the photos of the road here), but their coffee has to be sent to Peru or Chile for shipping.

These farmers have banded together to process their coffee before bringing it to market. They come from small family farms, generally located in the forests on the slopes of the Andes. We had fun as a staff zooming in on the town on Caranavi, around which most of these farms are located, and marveling at the steepness of the terrain.

Fair Trade Organic Bolivian is a washed coffee, and we’ve roasted it light. It’s easy to drink, and especially good if one of your employees brings in homemade cookies to share (thanks Elyse!). It has a medium acidity, and the aroma is rich with chocolate notes. Once brewed it will warm your hands and taste of tobacco and cedar with a bright finish.

I hope that you are appreciating the weather wherever you are. If you happen to be in Nevada County, come on in this week and use the code Andean coffee* to try a cup of this Bolivian on us. I’ll be drinking it this week as I look forward to waking up to the rain drumming down tomorrow. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Bolivian. Code expires on 3.06.14. 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 Bolivia coffee, Carolines Coffee, Carolines Coffee Roasters, coffee, Downtown Grass Valley, Fair Trade Organic Bolivian, Foothills Celebration, Free Coffee, Szabo Vineyards, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Papua New Guinea Peaberry

Posted on February 21 2014 by Holly Fike

Ukarumpa PNG Header Papua New Guinea Peaberry

I know that we’re officially in a drought, and we need rain, but I’m sure enjoying the sunshine today. It’s nice to walk around outside as a break from my desk. Becky and I share an office, and I don’t think that it could be done if we weren’t such good friends. Our office is affectionately known as The Cave, and it’s an apt description–or at least it would be if we didn’t have such bright shining personalities to light it up. We like to think so anyway.

Sharing a Small Office

This February week brings us a coffee from Papua New Guinea. This is a country with which I’m fairly familiar, since my mother teaches school there. It’s a mountainous place, the eastern half of the island of New Guinea. The indigenous people speak over 850 different languages, because the extreme topography leads to isolation. There is still a lot of trouble with the infrastructure, and getting coffee to a plant/mill can be a problem.

This Papua New Guinea is a peaberry bean. A peaberry occurs when only one bean grows inside the coffee cherry, leading to a rounder, smaller bean. They tend to be higher in caffeine, so many people order them for that reason. Whether you’re looking for a more caffeinated beverage or not, you should try this coffee. It is light roasted with a bright beginning and an earthy finish.

The Kimel estate where this bean originates is actually a co-op of sorts. There’s a great article about it in this Australian coffee magazine, here. According to the article, Kimel estate is “100% tribal, clan and village-owned and 100% of all profits are returned to the traditional landowners. It provides permanent employment for them and their families and houses the vegetable patch for the majority of the 500 permanent workers.” This may not be a certified fair-trade coffee, but the values espoused by this co-op falls along those lines.

Papua New Guinea is known for tribal and village altercations, so it is significant that these small farmers are able to process coffee together, and farm in a sustainable manner. These farms are located in the western highlands, in verdant green mountains like the ones pictured above (stolen from my mother’s Facebook page–thanks mom!). Come in and try this coffee this week. You can buy a pound in our store or online here, and if you live locally use the code sustainable manner* to try a free cup. I’ll be thinking of my mother as I drink this week. Love you Mom.
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Papua New Guinea Peaberry. Code expires on 2.27.14. 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, Free Coffee, Kimel Estate, Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea Peaberry, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Kenya AA

Posted on February 14 2014 by Holly Fike

Cupping Header Kenya AA

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. It may be a holiday created by marketing geniuses, but I find that I enjoy the day, especially making cards with my kids. It’s a lot of work, but their homemade Valentine’s are so dang cute that I smile every time I look at them. Both kids brought me a gift this morning that I knew nothing about: Jack sewed me a felt heart scarf and Caroline gave me a mason jar filled with shells and a votive candle. Their creativity astounds me.

You could win this!

In the past I’ve often felt the February doldrums: winter has hung around for too many days in a row. Valentine’s Day can be a nice touch of color in an otherwise grey month. This year, however, with all the sunshine that has filled our season, I’m grateful for any cloudy day that might mean a chance of rain. If you have reason to lament the length of winter, or if you need something to brighten your day, we have a February giveaway. Check our blog, here, to leave a comment for a chance to win a gift basket.

This week we are flying across the Atlantic to Africa, then crossing the continent until we reach Kenya. These beans roasted so beautifully that we couldn’t wait to try them yesterday. This is a light roast top grade Kenya with a floral aroma and light citrus tones in the finish. It has a depth like last week’s Guatemalan, but a completely different flavor profile. Instead of chocolate at the end, you get a brightness. It would be delicious paired with a lemon shortbread, or even to cut the richness of a cheesecake.

Last Friday night we had a private coffee cupping (thus the picture above). We sampled three different coffees, and the overwhelming favorite was the Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan that we featured last week. This Kenyan was not part of the mix, but it would have been a nice contrast to the Guatemalan, and probably a favorite of some. Happy Valentine’s day to all of you. I hope that no matter your circumstances you are able to appreciate someone or something that you love today. I will be spending the evening with my family–what could be better than that? Come on in and try this Kenyan on us using the code nice contrast* this week. Enjoy!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Kenya AA. Code expires on 2.20.14. 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, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged African coffee, Carolines Coffee, Carolines Coffee Roasters, gift basket, giveaway, Kenya AA, Kenya coffee, Valentine's Day, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

February Giveaway

Posted on February 14 2014 by Holly Fike

Because the short month of February can feel long when the days have been grey. Because everyone can use more coffee and chocolate. Because we love our customers. Because some of you need a bright light today. Because it’s Valentine’s Day. Because why not?

For all those reasons and more we’re doing a gift basket giveaway today. This basket is full of chocolate, coffee, tea, candy, and a mug. Leave a comment below telling about a favorite February memory, and you will have a chance to win. The winner will be randomly drawn and announced here on Monday, 2/17/14.*

Edited:: And the winner is . . . comment #2, Julie Carrara! Thanks to the rest of you for entering–we loved reading your comments.

February Gift Basket 2

*Official Rules (otherwise known as all that stuff that we are required to say): 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 February 17th, 2014 and notified by e-mail that same day. Gift basket must be picked up (or shipped if out of the area) by February 28th, 2014. If you read all these requirements, thank you.

Posted in Giveaway, Holidays | Tagged gift basket, giveaway, Valentine's Day | 22 Comments

Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan

Posted on February 7 2014 by Holly Fike

Yosemite Bridge Cropped Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan

Trace and I spent the beginning of this week in Yosemite. I don’t believe that I’ve ever visited in the winter before, but it couldn’t have been more lovely. We had a little snow as we arrived, but otherwise the weather was clear, and the valley was empty. You could drive or walk without seeing another car or pedestrian. Each morning of our stay we woke up with a French press of this Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan, and we both enjoyed it so much that we had to feature it this week.

A bit of Carolines history: labels from the days when we provided coffee to Yosemite.

This Guatemalan has such strong chocolate tones that when I opened the bag Trace asked me if I had pulled out a chocolate bar. Nope, it’s just the coffee dear. Actually, this bean would be amazing with a dark chocolate, like one of our favorites from Cello Chocolates. It has a full-bodied and nutty flavor that would make it a great pairing.

We stayed this week at the grande dame of Yosemite, the Ahwahnee. It’s a place with so much history, and we appreciated the original furnishings and the decor from 1927. Although all the grandeur could not beat the view of Glacier Point and Half Dome out our window. I could have watched the light change across the face of the cliff all day.

A bit of Carolines Coffee history intersects with that of Yosemite. Many years ago, Trace had a delivery route that spanned from Redding down to Yosemite. Every other week he would drive down Highway 49 and deliver coffee to markets in Jackson, Martell, Angels Camp, Sutter Creek, and other small towns.

At one point the purchaser for the Curry Company (the Yosemite concessionaire) visited our store, loved our coffee, and decided to carry it in the Village Store, Wawona, and the Ahwahnee. So Trace’s route stretched a bit further into the Yosemite Valley. We provided coffee to the Curry Company until the company was sold in 1990.

They might not serve our coffee any longer, but you can bring your own taste of Carolines Coffee and enjoy it: I know that we did. If you’re looking for a great coffee in this suddenly wintry weather, I highly recommend this weeks Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan. Its robust flavor will keep you going all day.

Last week we talked about coffee’s history, and this week you learned a little about our roots. Thanks for reading, and I hope that you enjoy the rain this weekend. If you venture out to see us at the store, you can use the code small towns* to try this Guatemalan on us this week. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

Half Dome View *Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan. Code expires on 2.13.14. 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 Local Beauty, Vacation, Weekly Newsletters | Tagged Ahwahnee, Carolines Coffee, Carolines Coffee Roasters, Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan, Free Coffee, Guatemalan coffee, vacation, Weekly Newsletter, Yosemite | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

Posted on January 31 2014 by Holly Fike

Cloudy Skies Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

Well this week we conceded that the weather was fair enough to feature a frozen drink, and it worked! We actually had some rain, and this morning there was ice on my windshield when the kids and I piled in the car. My son is still dressing in shorts and a t-shirt everyday, but he would do that in the snow without an intervention from me. It was great to listen to the thumping of a heavy rain and to see the world sparkle in diamond drops when it ended.

A cloud picture, in appreciation of their presence.

We’ve got a new coffee for you this week: a washed Ethiopian Yirgacheffe instead of the natural Sidamo that we have been carrying lately. Yirgacheffe is a region in south-central Ethiopia, known for their coffee. Ethiopia is generally recognized as the birthplace of coffee, and it grows wild in the mountains here.

The legend goes that a goatherd named Kaldi noticed his goats dancing around after eating some red cherries, so he tried them too (wouldn’t you?). It didn’t take long for some local monks to use the berries to stay awake for their prayers, nor was it long before the shrubs spread to nearby Arabia. It’s not known who first roasted those beans over a fire, and brewed them, but for centuries coffee was a carefully guarded secret.

Eventually coffee was smuggled into Europe, around the 17th century, and from there it spread around the world. European colonists and missionaries introduced the coffee plant to South American, Indonesia and other countries on their explorations. It turned out that coffee loved the volcanic soil and climate found around the equator, and it thrived there.

Today coffee is grown on six of the seven continents and is a commodity traded worldwide. It is generally recognized that however coffee was actually discovered, it did indeed originate in Ethiopia. This week’s coffee is a product of those original arabica beans. We’ve roasted it light, and the flavor is amazing. It has a honey sweetness to it, and strong nutty tones with a chocolate finish. The acidity is bright as you sip, but the depth of flavor is what makes it stand out.

This week you can virtually visit a bit of coffee’s history by sampling this Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Use the code seven continents* for a free twelve ounce cup this week. It’s also on sale this week in the store and here. Enjoy your winter, wherever you are. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Code expires on 2.06.14. 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 art of blending, Carolines Coffee Roasters, Ethiopian coffee, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Free Coffee, giveaway, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Fair Trade Organic Sumatra Mandheling

Posted on January 24 2014 by Holly Fike

Fair Trade Organic Sumatra Mandheling

To those of you midwest and east coast folks who are buried in an extremely cold winter, we’re wishing we had a bit of that over here in Northern California. Instead, we’ve had another week of unneeded but glorious sunshine. I was doing the paper goods order an hour ago, and I couldn’t believe how low we were on our cold drink cups. Why not order a mocha freeze when it’s 70 degrees outside? Especially when it comes with a mountain of our homemade whipped cream!

Doesn’t this look like a science experiment?

I’ve been drinking this Fair Trade Organic Sumatra at home all week. It’s one of my favorite coffees: full-bodied, low in acidity, bold and nutty with a touch of earthiness. It is such a comforting coffee for me–all the flavors that I love in coffee. It is so fresh that the aroma almost leaps at me when I open the bag.

If you’re a lover of an Indonesian flavor profile, you’ll love this Sumatran. It is grown in the highlands, and the name Mandheling in this case designates neither a region nor a grade, but instead the ethnicity of the people who grow it. They have been growing coffee so long here that the coffee has taken on the name of the growers. That’s a pretty good testament to the longevity of this region.

We had fun this week demonstrating our Hario Syphon brewer. It seems like a science experiment as you heat up the water in the bottom half, wait for it to expand and travel to the upper portion, and then extinguish the flame so that the brewed coffee finishes in the bottom decanter. I had not used one in a while, and most of our employees had never used one, so we all enjoyed the process. It’s a spectacle for sure.

This week you can try this Fair Trade Organic Sumatra Mandheling on us by using the code bottom decanter*. You can also find it on sale here. Enjoy the sunshine, but do your best rain dance too. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Sumatra Mandheling. Code expires on 1.30.14. 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 Roasters, Fair Trade Organic Sumatra, Free Coffee, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Weekly Newsletter: Monsooned Malabar

Posted on January 17 2014 by Holly Fike

Trampoline Peace Monsooned Malabar

I looked out my window earlier this week and saw the peaceful scene above. Both of my kids had been jumping on the trampoline, and then they paused to listen to the birds. That’s the kind of January we’re having in Nevada County: peaceful and dry. The lack of rain has meant that our days are spent outdoors whenever possible. I do hope that we get rain soon, but in the meantime I am enjoying the sunshine, especially when it warms up in the afternoons.

This week we have a unique coffee offering for you. It’s been over a year since we carried this Monsooned Malabar, so I thought I would explain it for those of you who have not heard the story.

In other news, we got new stainless mugs this week.

Monsooned Malabar comes from the western coast of India. The coffee is grown on farms in the Chickmagalur hills of Karnataka, at higher elevations. After it is picked, processed and sun-dried, it is transported to warehouses down on the coast, where it is intentionally exposed to the monsoon rains and winds from June to September.

This is a carefully monitored process. The coffee stays in covered warehouses with open sides where it can absorb moisture without molding. The beans visibly grow in size during this time, and become lighter in color. They are constantly raked and turned to keep a uniform absorption. During this time they lose much of their acidity.

Monsooning is intended to replicate the days when coffee came to Europe on sailing ships, and was exposed to the sea air for months on end. When transportation sped up, the Europeans noticed that the flavor had changed. It was determined that the original low acidity characteristics could also be achieved by monsooning, and thus a tradition was born.

With Monsooned Malabar, you taste this process in the cup. It has smooth earthy flavors, with great depth. It is very low in acidity and has a light sweet finish. If you happen to be here while Trace is roasting in the next week, ask him to show you the green beans. They are actually closer to white in color, and much larger than your typical Arabica bean.

You can try a cup on us this week by using the code sweet finish*. This is really an unusual and historic coffee, since today acidity is often a prized characteristic in coffee. Tastes have changed, but Monsooned Malabar is a throwback to another time and another prevailing taste. Let us know what you think below or on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you. You can purchase Monsooned Malabar here. Cheers!

–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Monsooned Malabar. Code expires on 1.23.14. 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 Weekly Newsletters | Tagged Carolines Coffee, Carolines Coffee Roasters, Free Coffee, Indian coffee, low acid coffee, Monsooned Malabar, Weekly Newsletter | Comments Off

Blog

Weekly Newsletter: San Agustin Colombian

February Giveaway

Categories

Archives

Blog

Categories

Archives

Tags