Like most people, I look forward to turning the page to a new month, a new year. Sometimes it brings the unexpected, and sometimes, the return of a small pleasure I look forward to each year. One of these is the arrival of Organic Honduran Marcala coffee, being harvested in the mountains right now, and available in limited amounts. [PRODUCT PAGE]

If a new season inspires you, as it does me, to try something new, and you haven’t experienced Honduran Marcala yet, here’s what’s in store: a very balanced coffee with a sweet acidity at the start. Think lemon and honey. And at the finish, think chocolate.

Honduran Marcala is grown in the department of La Paz, one of 16 districts, and ideal place ecologically for growing coffee. Moderate temperatures prevail throughout the year. The trees grow at altitudes ranging from 4,250 to 5,575 feet, in a clay-like soil whose lime deposits give it a unique acidity. It’s processed using the washed method, then dried mechanically or in the sun.

Here’s how Honduran Marcala came about: In the year 2000, sixty two Honduran farmers got together and changed their small part of the world, turning their coffee farms to organic production and forming COMSA, an organization that has since earned Fair Trade certification. Not only do the farmers receive more for their coffee, but Fair Trade premiums enable COMSA to support such social projects as constructing kitchens in schools, providing meals for school children, and contributing to teachers’ salaries. This may seem like a very small thing. but we all know the effect of many small things working together. You’ll love serving this coffee to friends, or kick-starting your day with it. This is one of those cases of doing well by doing good. Order now while supplies are still available. and Best Wishes for the New Year.

Here are some of the blends Christopher Bean is offering:

• Almond The Mood for Love
• Chocolate Indulgence
• Cupids Cupcake
• Smother Me in Kisses
• Caribbean Love
• Chocolate Teddy Berries

Valentine’s day is the day where lovers express their love for each other, and what better way to express than to brew some of the best Valentine’s coffee available. 

In this 10 part series I will unfold the well-documented benefits to our communities and to each of us to choosing local, independently owned businesses for our products and services.

I realize it’s is not always possible to buy what you need locally and so I simply ask you to think local first! While some people may enjoy the challenge of an all-local relationship sometimes we all make non-local purchases due to a variety of factors — selection, price or something new that gets our attention,   that’s ok just remember—local means as close to home as possible.

The Permata Gayo Co-Op in Indonesia has a back story that some of you might be interested in. Before the co-op started in 2006, many families were forced to flee due to the civil war. In fact, many innocent people were killed and removed from their homes. As if that weren’t bad enough, 130,000 Indonesians were lost as a result of the 2004 tsunami which is why the government decided to reach an agreement with rebels in the area.

It took two years for families to return and rebuild, and that’s when the Permata Gayo started with just 50 members. By 2007 the co-op earned their organic certification and their fair trade certification by 2008. The Permata Gayo co-op has over 700 members and is the homeland for some of the best coffee you can find.

Source

Coffee Roasting Basics:

Step 1 – Check your temperature to ensure a smooth roast.

Step 2 – Determine the size of your batch. This is key to picking the correct temperature.

Step 3 – Keep an eye on time. You’ll want to pick different roast times depending on the size of the batch.

Step 4 – The first crack. This is where we take a look at what we’ve done thus far and make changes to ensure the best roast possible. Are we to hot, to cold, more time, less time?

Step 5 – Before we land the coffee we make sure that the coffee has correctly gone through each stage. Everything happens so fast at this stage there is no room for error, its all gut. The coffee is going through so many chemical changes that its almost hard to control. However with proper planning everything can come together perfectly.

Have you ever been on a flight when the pilot lands the plane and everyone on board claps as to say wow we made it again? Well in our world of coffee roasting at Christopher Bean Coffee Company a very funny thing occurs when we land the coffee. I can tell you from years of experience the coffee claps. I’m not kidding it really does, as if to say wow we made it out in time. There is a scientifical reason for the clapping and if you really want to know why you must email me at chris@christopherbean.com

How many families are reached?

More than 81,000 people in more than 130 communities are able to to receive support from the Coffee Kids organization. Coffee Kids has a unique selection process when choosing partners. They typically choose companies who are sustainable and well-structured.

How can I help?

At Christopher Bean Coffee and Tea Co. we support the Coffee Kids organization with every bag of coffee purchased. Coffee Kids’ is one of the first industry-specific nonprofits, and believes that all projects must be community-based and founded on the principles of sustainability.

• The projects we support are:
• Health Awareness
• Education
• Microcredit
• Community-Based Projects

If a new season inspires you, as it does me, to try something new, and you haven’t experienced Honduran Marcala yet, here’s what’s in store: a very balanced coffee with a sweet acidity at the start. Think lemon and honey. And at the finish, think chocolate.

Honduran Marcala is grown in the department of La Paz, one of 16 districts, and ideal place ecologically for growing coffee. Moderate temperatures prevail throughout the year. The trees grow at altitudes ranging from 4,250 to 5,575 feet, in a clay-like soil whose lime deposits give it a unique acidity. It’s processed using the washed method, then dried mechanically or in the sun.

Here’s how Honduran Marcala came about: In the year 2000, sixty two Honduran farmers got together and changed their small part of the world, turning their coffee farms to organic production and forming COMSA, an organization that has since earned Fair Trade certification. Not only do the farmers receive more for their coffee, but Fair Trade premiums enable COMSA to support such social projects as constructing kitchens in schools, providing meals for school children, and contributing to teachers’ salaries. This may seem like a very small thing. but we all know the effect of many small things working together. You’ll love serving this coffee to friends, or kick-starting your day with it. This is one of those cases of doing well by doing good. Order now while supplies are still available. and Best Wishes for the New Year.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is known for its lack of bitterness, while still carrying on a bold flavor. In fact, our Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee blend carries the perfect combination of Central and South American Coffees.

Our blend is laced with the delicate flavors of one of the most sought-after coffees in the world.

Trying to find something to uplift your morning? Look no further, because the Blue Mountain blend is the way to go. Ordering on our store today will accrue bean bucks that you can cash in for later purchases.

Waking up every morning and pouring your coffee into the same old glass can get boring, which is why we hope you find our selection of coffee drinking accessories adequate. There’s a little something here for everyone — even the tea drinkers.

Many of you live an active & healthy lifestyle, so here are some of the coffee accessories we have available:

• Stainless Steel Sports Bottle
• 16 oz. Travel Mug
• Coffee Scoop
• 17oz. Vacuum Flask
• Tea Storage Tins
• And much more…

You may also purchase a gift card for someone else. It’s the perfect way to say you care without buying the wrong thing.