Wild weather lately!
The little illustration above is by one of my neighbours, Evgenia Golubeva and I think it sums this month up perfectly!
Here we are romping through February at full steam ahead.
Although we haven't had a terrible winter this year (I know it's not over yet) I am really looking forward to spring. Lot's of daffs and tulips and snowdrops and promise of good things to come!
Here at Monsoon things are moving along nicely.
Our lovely Ailie will be back from maternity leave in about a month. Little Darcey has visited us a few times and is the most beautiful baby, just like her mum. Looking forward to her return.
Will has just about mastered the new roaster, I have to say I need some lessons on that one!
Jo and Clare are keeping the internet orders flowing with some lovely notes going out and I know some of you send beautiful replies to those so a big thank you! I always pass your comments on.
Kasia has been a brick and has been helping in the commercial side of things as well as doing the markets for us. She will soon be involved in the training side of coffee again when we reopen our academy at the beginning of March.
Lovely help from Theresa, Rossana, Trudi and Ben help keep the cogs turning here.
On the coffee side of things we continue to work with our regular importers, always looking for some exceptional coffees.
COFFEE OF THE MONTH
Papua New Guinea Sigri is back after almost a 6 month absence. This coffee is really beautiful. Fragrant, slightly spicy and full of caramels. I think it's one of the best harvests we've had.
It's grown in the western highlands of PNG and sold by Carpenters via our importer based in the Netherlands.
W.R. Carpenters Group was started in 1914 in Sydney, Australia. The company traded cocoa initially and then eventually expanded into other commodities including coffee. Sigri Estate was established in 1950. The social side of WRC is to run a school as well as a link to an HIV/Aids project run with the Asian Development Bank. The Company also provides various welfare and social services to employees. The plantations are located in the Waghi Valley, Western Highlands Province at approximately 1600 m. where they enjoy a cool climate with bountiful rainfall which is perfect for the exclusively planted Typica, being the best suited variety to Papua New Guinea.
The Sigri bean stock is said to have been taken from Jamaica Blue Mountain.
PNG Sigri was one of the best coffees we ever had when we started roasting back in 2010. Of course we have had some blow away coffees since then but this one never disappoints.
Try some Sigri if you haven't already. It suits all brew methods and makes the most beautiful espresso and great with milk too.
Others coming soon from El Salvador. Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Colombia and Costa Rica.
We often try out our new coffees on 'Roasters Choice Medium' and our 'Coffee Selection' before adding them to our regular web shop offerings.
Hope to see some of you soon and keep the feedback coming, it's invaluable.
Keep well and happy brewing
Anne and the gang!