Sturgeon Moon
We send our newsletter each month on the full moon to celebrate how we launched, roasting coffee outdoors in Jamesport, NY beneath the full moon. Photo: Katrina Stapleton, Adobe Stock
The full Moon in August is called the Sturgeon Moon after the primitive fish that used to be abundant in North America’s lakes and rivers during the summer months.
The efforts to scale our business earlier this year are providing us with a more relaxing and hands-off August than we’ve had in a while. Maybe like the Native Americans who caught fish more easily this time of year, we’ve finally found a way to get ahead of our business needs for the time being.
On that note, I’m going to keep this update short and sweet.
Nitro Cold Brew cans are now available at LUMBER + Salt and Sang Lee Farms. This is the one item we don’t sell online since it needs to be refrigerated, so distribution is limited. Brewed from our High Tide Espresso beans, enjoy this fan favorite during summer months!
Decaf is live on our site link. It’s made from the decaffeinated version of the Brazilian Pedra Branca natural process bean featured in our High Tide espresso. This specialty-grade coffee is decaffeinated with a chemical-free natural Swiss water process that removes 99.9% of caffeine and retains high antioxidant properties.
All of our coffee beans are now available online by subscription (new!) or one time purchase.
The apothecary is growing
The apothecary section on our website is a passion project born from a year-long herbalism apprenticeship that Ana will complete this Fall. We are excited to share a modest assortment of herbal remedies that we rely on in our own home, that Ana foraged and wildcrafted. We launched with a bruise balm and added this month a Rosemary Nettle Hair Oil and Probiotic Rose Mask.
Bruise Balm - a salve of equal parts olive oil infused with foraged arnica flowers and olive oil infused with comfrey, plus beeswax and shea butter to make this a solid balm that can travel into the field for topical application to bruises, sprains and strains.
Rosemary Nettle Hair Oil - a beautiful blend of organic jojoba oil infused with rosemary and foraged wild nettle in a convenient dropper bottle to apply directly to hair roots. Rosemary stimulates circulation and hair growth, and has wonderful cleansing and rejuvenating properties to support new growth. Nettle provides nourishment to support and strengthen a healthy mane. Apply before shampooing or leave on overnight, and use on ends for extra protection agains dryness and split ends.
Probiotic Rose Mask - A cheerful blend of French pink clay, powdered rose petals and probiotic powder to draw out impurities, soothe and strengthen the skin’s microbiome. Simply add your choice of liquid like spring water, honey, yogurt or herbal tea to achieve the desired consistency, apply to clean skin, let dry and rinse when desired.
Single plant tinctures, known as “simples,” are coming this September
Rose, St. John’s Wort, Motherwort, Oregon Grape Root
Things we’re excited about that have nothing to do with coffee
I’ve had Barbara Kingsolver’s “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” on my reading list for years and I finally picked it up in earnest this month. In the book, Kingsolver and her family live for a year from foods sourced locally, with the exception of a few core items like coffee (this was highly affirming for me!). I love anything that helps shift my lens and see things with new eyes. A year-long Zero Waste experiment in our home in 2015 is what put me and Brett on the path to artisan sourdough and small-batch roasted coffee. While this meant we usually optimized for local options and growing our own food, we didn’t limit ourselves to the local supply chain. This meant that an unwrapped organic pineapple - the Humvee of produce in North America - could make it into our kitchen in winter with the definite knowledge that it wasn’t great for the planet, but the reassurance that it was not wrapped in plastic. Kingsolver’s experiment makes the prioritization clear. The massive waste of the carbon emissions to transport the pineapple makes a layer of plastic somewhat irrelevant.
I am only part way through the book but it has solidified the visual in my head of carbon emissions trailing every purchase of various lengths and densities, as a way to prioritize our food decisions. I love this book for bringing forward something that I knew intuitively but didn’t have a defined strategy for determining the tradeoffs. Anyone who has lived all four seasons on the North Fork knows that winter is a bleak time for fresh produce. Knowing what I know now, there are some pretty obvious tweaks I would make to my winter purchasing behavior which included a weekly trip to the South Fork for better access to organic and zero waste food items. I can overlay these experiences with a visual of carbon emissions and strategize better. Next stop in the life experience toolbox - canning, preserving and living without.
That’s all from us for now! We’ll see you on September 7th for the next full moon, the Harvest Moon.
Warmly,
Ana and Brett
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Find our coffee in person on the North Fork at
LUMBER + Salt // Jamesport, NY (full coffee bar)
Lombardi’s Love Lane Market // Mattituck, NY
Sang Lee Farms // Peconic, NY
…or order directly to your doorstep here on our website!
