Central America was the theme at the CAFFE VITA cupping table today, with a particular standout coffee from Honduras. Rich, loamy aromas evoke memories of rain soaked forest floor with hints of moss and wet tobacco complimenting the deep cocoa undertones and caramel sweetness.

A well rounded, vibrant, medium bodied cup displaying well balanced earth tones throughout with flavors of dark chocolate, tobacco and leather interspersed with hints of raisin and sun dried cherry and a sweet caramel, somewhat smokey, lingering finish.

Thanks to everyone who joined us at our FREE coffee cupping today and we look forward to seeing YOU at our next FREE coffee cupping at CAFFE VITA-CAPITOL HILL-1005 E. PIKE ST- WEDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS @ 10 AM.

New Crop Farm Direct Gayo River Sumatra Arrives.
Gayo River Producers visiting in April!
Click here to order online. $14/pound.

Our friends in Sumatra had a brilliant harvest this fall. Once again this certified organic coffee from the Gayo region of Northern Sumatra stands out among all other Indonesian coffees we have cupped with rich, exotic, robust aromas and flavors.

Tasting Notes: enticing aromas of dark chocolate, baking spice and cigar smoke up front with sultry nuances of cinnamon and earthiness. A robust, full bodied coffee with low acidity and well balanced sweet/smoky flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla, maple, and tobacco. Pleasant, lingering aftertaste of dissipating cocoa powder with lovely traces of
warm spice.

The Gayo River farmers have an unparralled respect and reverence for the planet. The shade grown coffee farms in this area provide substantial habitat for local bird and animal populations and exist within a brilliant and varied eco-system. Their warmth and generosity during our visits have created a bond between roaster and farmer that is rare and has enriched us greatly. We are anxiously awaiting their return visit to Seattle this April. Expect cuppings, dinners, and several opportunities to meet the producers. Stay Tuned for details.

This remarkable coffee is available now on our online store at caffevita.com, all six vita locations, and in the Seattle area at Whole Foods, Metropolitan Markets, Central Markets and many other fine retailers.

A great day of coffee today at the FREE coffee cupping with a wonderful display of coffees from Ethiopia and Brazil, showcasing a broad spectrum of washed, semi-washed and naturally processed coffees. Exceptional coffees from the Yirgacheffe and Sidamo regions of Ethiopia as well as some delicious coffees from Brazils Bahia and Minas Gerais regions.

The particular stand out from Ethiopia was the naturally processed Sidamo with luscious fruit forward aromas of sun dried berry and citrus with herbaceous undertones. A vibrant, moderately acidic cup with well balanced body and flavors of sun dried berry, dark chocolate, citrus and subtle hints of spice throughout the sweet lingering finish.

The coffee from the Minas Gerais region of Brazil, a semi-washed coffee rich with earthy aromas of tobacco, tanned leather and spice with subtle nuances of cocoa and caramel. A subdued, earthy cup with low acidity and a chewy, medium body with rich overtones of dark chocolate, nougat and spice. Nice subtle hints of tobacco and leather linger as the coffee fades in to a sweet cocoa powder and cigar box finish. Delicious.

Thanks again to all who joined us this morning- we look forward to seeing YOU soon at CAFFE VITA -1005 E PIKE ST- EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY @ 10 AM for our FREE coffee cupping.

1. Buy Theo chocolate

Starting Wednesday 100% of the sales of 45% classic milk and 70% classic dark chocolate bars will go to CARE, a humanitarian nonprofit fundraising for the Haiti relief effort. All Vita locations will be selling these bars. You can also purchase these bars online at www.theochocolate.com

2. Eat at Coastal Kitchen on Thursday January 21st.

From Our Friends at Coastal Kitchen

25% of our entire day’s sales at Coastal Kitchen will be donated to Mercy Corps towards relief from the terrible disaster that has devastated the people of Haiti. This fundraiser begins at 8am and runs the entire day until 10pm. Whether it’s a latte on your way to work, breakfast, lunch, dinner, take out etc… 25% of your purchase will go directly to Mercy Corps.

Additionally a Mercy Corps Volunteer will be on site to receive any additional donations, talk about their relief efforts and answer any questions you may have. Please join us on Thursday, tell a friend, together we can help the people of Haiti.

To learn more about Coastal Kitchen please visit us online at seattle-eats.com

Sam Thompson, North Face Endurance Runner and the first runner ever to accomplish 51 marathons in 50 days in 50 states and Brock Gavery, Endurance Runner and Adventurist who was voted one of the Fittest Real Men in America by Outside Magazine are both huge Caffe Vita fans. Caffe Vita has fueled many of their adventures.

They recently ran the 96 mile Wonderland trail around Mt Rainer wired on plenty of Caffe Vita’s Luna. View The Video Here . This December, they randomly decided the night before to kick off the inaugural Caffe Vita Christmas Eve Marathon. Starting in Ballard, they ran to each Caffe Vita beginning with Fremont, then on to Queen Anne, then to our newest location in Pioneer Square. After many shots of Caffe Vita’s finest Del Sol espresso, they were ready for the long push to Seward Park before finally making it to headquarters on Capitol Hill. Stay tuned for next year where Sam and Brock hope to inspire many people to run with them in hopes of raising money to feed and clothe those in need during the holidays.

Enjoy this short film created by Sam Thompson whose many adventures can be followed at www.seesamrun.com.

Greetings from the CAFFE VITA cupping table- where EVERY WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY @ 10 AM we cup the worlds finest coffees FREE for anyone interested in exploring the dynamic world of coffee. Today we cupped coffees from Mexico, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. All delicious coffees with the coffees from Mexico and Papua New Guinea clearly standing apart from the rest.

Mexico displayed wonderful dry/earthy aromas of cinnamon, tobacco, cocoa powder, charred oak and subtle hints of sun-dried citrus. A mild/subdued cup with light acidity and light/medium body with sweet, earthy flavors of cocoa, tobacco, charred oak, sun dried citrus and hints of molasses in the finish.

Papua New Guinea showed nice aromas of cocoa, baking spice, citrus, marshmallow and subtle hints of cigar smoke. A sweet, well balanced coffee with moderate acidity and medium body with mouth watering flavors of citrus, cocoa, nougat with subtle herbaceous notes throughout the clean, dissipating finish.

Stop by and visit CAFFE VITA-CAPITOL HILL-1005 E PIKE ST- 10 AM EVERY WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY for our FREE coffee cupping and taste the world of coffee with us! See you next week…

We have sold so many GIVE music compilations that we ran out and had to order more – and it will be in stores again everywhere tomorrow. Here is the recent offering for the GIVE clan – the debut song from the long long awaited Long Winters album (due out soon) – John partnered with the stupendously talented folks at Creature to create this video for our benefit project GIVE. This track and 36 others are available at www.giveseattle.org.

And here is the Chase Jarvis directed vid of Head Like a Kite’s Director’s Cut

And the City Arts produced video of Fences.