December 2009 Coffee News

-Last Bread
-Honduras Elections
-Holiday flavors
-Coffee Farm 2010 Calendar
-Holiday Gift Ideas

Last Bread
We had a lovely visit just before Thanksgiving from Gabe, the Peace Corp volunteer who lives in Rio Negro near our family's coffee farm. He was back home in MN for a couple of weeks for the holiday and stopped by to deliver some "pan" baked by Guillermo's family. This special Honduran sweet bread came with warm greetings and a funny story

The bread that Gabe carefully packed in his suitcase for us was baked by Guillermo's sister-in-law Bertilia in the "horno" that his brother Avilio had built for her many years ago. This traditional domed shaped oven is heated by wood and is common on many farms in the area. Breadmaking is a whole day project. First many dry branches are gathered and a fire is started. Meanwhile, Bertilia prepares many trays of batter while the oven heats up. When the oven is hot enough, the hot coals are pushed out of the way with a special tool that looks like a paddle and the bread pans are quickly slid in. (See some photos in our gallery from breadbaking we enjoyed in June.)

This time, Avilio and Gabe were standing around the oven during the preparations, teasing each other and noticed a crack in the side. Avilio commented that he was hoping to move the oven soon. Since it was built many years ago, Avilio had dug a trench below it to build a cabin that has housed several Peace Corp volunteers and many tourists. Years of heavy rains had eroded the land that was holding the oven and so suddenly, minutes after the bread was put in, there was a loud noise and the oven started to collapse. Rather than panic, the oven was patched quickly so the heat wouldn't escape and the bread could continue baking. But needless to say, the bread we enjoyed is the last that will be baked in that oven!

Honduran Elections
Arguably, less exciting than the oven collapse, Honduras held its Presidential elections on November 29th. We are thankful the day passed peacefully, but the outcome wasn't much of a surprise. National party candidate Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo won as expected and talk has turned from attempts to reinstate the deposed President Zelaya to efforts to convince the international community to recognize the results of the election. A decent summary of the election and its potential impact is available through the Washingon Post.

Holiday Flavors Available While Supplies Last
We had brisk sales of our special holiday flavors last month and have reordered for December. If you tried some of the coffees last month, let us know what you thought, and get your orders in quickly for the December delivery. We will NOT be reordering in January, so the following coffees are only available while supplies last.

*Drunken Uncle - Kahlua, Irish Cream & Gran Marnier.
*Eggnog Cream - Warm, spicy eggnog with a rich custard background.
*Gingerbread Spice - Grandma's gingerbread cookies never smelled so good. Freshly baked characteristics of rich spices, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger that will make your mouth water.
*Maple Pecan Streusel - A scrumptious sweet and sugary blend of maple and pecan capped off with a background of homemade streusel.

As with our regular flavors, these are packaged in 8 oz bags, available ground or whole bean for $6.00 a bag. A limited quantity of decaf is available for all four.

Honduras Calendars
A box of beautiful calendars just arrived at our front door and we are excited to distribute them. Let us know soon if you'd like to purchase one for $13.50.

More Holiday Gift Ideas
There are so many great ideas for gift buying this time of year that we hesitate to add to the holiday shopping craze. But we can't help but share some great fair trade and local shopping alternatives that we've run across.

-We were pleased to be included in Need Magazine's on-line gift guide. You'll enjoy the beautiful photos of unique local and fair trade products as well as the magazine's mission to report stories focusing on life changing humanitarian efforts at home and abroad.

-We have also listed our coffee products on World of Good, an on-line marketplace of fair trade and eco-friendly products where you can find thousands of products that have a positive impact on people and the planet.

-For the tea lovers in your life or household, check out Minnesota-based Our Home Tea for a wide variety of full-leaf teas from around the world, including many organic and herbal varieties.

-From Cathy's side of the family, we are happy to share a link to Grassland Goodies, a family business started by cousin Kristi Eberhart based on a favorite family recipe of "kuchen" now the state dessert of South Dakota.

-Make a person-to-person micro-loan through Kiva, or give someone else the joy of selecting an entrepreneurial project for themselves with a Kiva gift certificate.

-You can support Land Stewardship Project and Fair Trade by buying handmade gifts at the Saint Paul Ten Thousand Villages store on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

We wish you a joyful and meaningful holiday.