No Mug is an Island
by Ryan Seibold (aka P_berri), Production Roaster

At Peace Coffee we are always trying to expand our horizons. Our latest exploration has just hit the dock as a very lovely coffee bean from the island country of the Dominican Republic, where horizons are viewed from beaches and mountains. I have been fortunate to roast and drink this newest coffee – I also traveled there last January as well (see Iguanas, Coffee and Magnetic Poles in our March 2007 newsletter). This particular coffee comes from the Southwestern part of the Dominican in the Barahona region, about a 4-hour drive west of the capital city of Santo Domingo. It is farmed and processed just outside the city of El Polo, which is named after the magnetic poles found on the tops of the nearby mountains.

This coffee is exceptional for its mellow and soft or delicate features; so expect it to be different from the bold flavors of the Guatemalans or Ethiopians you are accustomed to. Europeans tend to seek out the "island" characteristics that this cup has -- think Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii Kona. As I sip this brew I am noticing a subtle medley of flavors unfold: caramel, graham, oatmeal raisin, and orange. It’s slightly bittersweet from the play of brown sugars and citrus, but Smooth, Mild, and easy to fall in love with. Of course there is a good story, as always…

Originally we were not sure this coffee would meet specialty grade, making the coffee hard to market here in the U.S. The farmers responded to our feedback by changing some of their processing ways (often a bad flavor in coffee can be sorted out). And so it is through great effort and care that great tasting coffee hit the Peace Coffee shores. The farmers met our expectations of quality and so now we hope to meet their hopes by encouraging consumption of Dominican Coffee. The overarching goal is to sell lots of fair trade Dominican beans and to develop a new market for our farmer friends (we have a limited supply). Now it is your turn to expand horizons and try something new. No mug is an island.

*The Dominican Republic coffee will be available the last week of May. We will post a notice on the front of our website as soon as it is ready to for your tasting delight.

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