Coffee of the Week
Monsooned Malabar
Have you been to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose? Last week I got to tour it with my daughter’s sixth grade class, and we saw some amazing artifacts. Some of the highlights were the jewelry, statues, a tomb replica, mummies, jars, and tools for daily life. It’s a gem for sure, and only a few hours away. The grounds were also beautiful, even in the winter, and the building itself is a unique piece of architecture. We also had the chance to spend hours at the Lawrence Hall of Science, where the kids got to explore all kinds of hands-on exhibits.
This week both of my kids got to go skiing with their Uncle Dave (known around here as the roaster extraordinaire), and I got to play with Archie and Lucy. I think that a good time was had by all. I followed Archie all over the property, and he directed my every action: “we go this way, Holly.” We built a train track (which MUST use every piece), and even spent some time pretending to sleep/snore and then being awakened by a rooster. Which was hilarious every time, based on the quantity of giggles.
This week we got a coffee shipment, and we were able to obtain Moonsooned Malabar for you. This coffee is grown in the Chikmagalur region of southwestern India, not far from the Malabar coast. Neel, a longtime customer, has given me two books about this area, true stories written by Jim Corbett about his experiences hunting man-eating tigers and leopards in the early 1900’s. The books are a fascinating glimpse into another era and the geography and customs of the hill people of the area–in a time when most of the country could only be traversed on foot. You get a sense of the ecology of these hills, where now coffee grows and tigers are seldom seen. Thank you Neel!
We do not often have the opportunity to try Indian coffees, since so much of it is consumed in country. This one in particular is a unique bean, one that some people swear makes the best espresso crema. If you aren’t familiar with it, this Monsooned Malabar is harvested, processed, and then left in an open sided warehouse to be exposed to the monsoon winds. The beans absorb the moisture from the monsoons, and grow in size. This creates a mellow bean, with earthy, deep flavors. Delicious.
Keep reading for a snapshot of Alina, who left us this week to move to San Jose with her husband. We will miss her smile, her friendship, and her cheerful hardworking energy–but we do wish them all the best in their future together. Thanks for being such a valued member of the Carolines crew Alina!
–Holly Fike
Employee Profile
Name Alina
Position Either stressed supervisor or crazed barista
Fav quote “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.”
Weird Fact My thumbs are different shapes and sizes
Most unique experience marrying my husband in Jerusalem.
Guilty Pleasure popcorn
Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter? Fall
OCD tendency overthinking
Most recent movie making my way through the Quentin Tarantino films for the first time
Tattoos or piercings? Aslan and Lucy are tattooed on my forearm
Hair mistakes growing my hair out
Embarassing moments (early childhood) I ran into a fence post while flying my kite the day before I turned eight.
Pet peeve being interrupted
Would rather be in Ashland, OR with my husband
Barista secret Organic milk is noticeably more delicious than the regular milk
Other deets you want to share: I will miss Carolines so much. This job has been my constant, and I have felt so supported and enriched by my coworkers.
Coffee Coupon
Want a free cup of our Monsooned Malabar?
Use the code Paddington Bear at the register.
(Alina’s spirit animal)
Code good for a 12 oz cup of our featured Monsooned Malabar. Limit one per customer please. Valid only at Carolines Coffee Roasters, Grass Valley, CA. Code/Offer valid until 1.31.19.
Christmas party to share with you, but we were all having so much fun that I never stopped to take pictures. Our gift exchange was a blast, as usual, with the most notable “item” being a performance of the Schulyer Sisters song from Hamilton, complete with custom lyrics to make it personal for the recipient. Suffice it to say that a good time was had by all. In lieu of a party pic, I’ve inserted a cute picture of Jack and Lucy going for a walk–because smiley babies are the best.
Happy New Year! It’s 2019 y’all. Can you believe it? This has been a relaxing week for our family, starting with a family game night on New Year’s Eve. Both kids jumped in the pool at midnight–they’re crazy. We followed with both hiking and skiing in the next few days. The slower pace was great, as was time with family and friends. Next week it’s back to school, so we’re enjoying our last few days of sleeping in while we can.
I love the header picture. We took it on Christmas Eve, when all of those folks were here and working. There were so many of us (because there were so many of you!), and we took a quick break between helping customers to grab this shot. The thing I love about it is how the smiles are not forced–this is a group that enjoys each others company. This crew loves each other, in a genuine way. We spend time together even when we’re not working, and there are often extra employees hanging around.
There haven’t been many newsletters this December. Between a busy Nutcracker weekend and another one where I was sick, I haven’t been able to write as I would like. But it seemed important to make the time to wish you all a Merry Christmas this week. This season can be chaotic and busy, and sometimes downright stressful, but I hope that each of you finds peace in the next few days. Whether it’s a restful day, or a moment of pause watching a sunset or taking a walk, time with family, or time reflecting on being apart, I wish you all joy and serenity and light.
has been for the last week. We had an extremely dry fall, but today there is over a foot of new snow in the Sierras, and the ground is squishy, instead of rock hard. The fire danger is over for the year. I’m sure the wildlife loves it too, as evidenced by the header pic of the nineteen turkeys that were in my yard this morning!
Know a coffee lover? This is one of our most popular holiday gifts: the large Around the World Gift Box. Features six different half pounds. Order online 
few weeks about the most devastating wildfire in California history, and watching the death toll rise daily, puts into perspective how much we all have to be thankful for. My gratitude this year was very specific: for the rain that started Wednesday night, and put an end to the fire season locally, for family safe around me, and for the roof over our heads.
nonstop. Two weeks ago I had the fun of being gone with my daughter’s class to San Francisco, where we toured the California Academy of Sciences. Then after a night at the Marin Headlands hostel, we headed to Point Reyes for the Earthquake Walk. The kids were amazed by the fence that had moved sixteen feet along the San Andreas fault.
the header picture outside the kids school the other morning. Wow! I hope that you are enjoying autumn like I am. It’s a great season to get outside and enjoy the changing scenery.
Coffee of the Week
