Who is the best coffee roaster in Sydney / Melbourne and why?

blackbird

I have heard what lots of my friends like about their preferred coffee roaster and specific blend and what all the coffee experts from the papers think, so I thought id like to know what roasters coffee people here like and where they drink and why, what sets them apart?.

(your own cafe / business has to be excluded as an answer).

RichardM

Here is a good place to start: http://www.cafebiz.net/files/Golden_Bean_2010_Results.pdf And because 1st place is in SA, the answer would have to be .... Carlini Coffee Company (ie Jeff from Mycuppa). He roasts a good roast While this list is by no means complete, or suits everyone's tastes, it's a good guide as to what others think is good. If you like single origins, then that opens up a new can of worms.

beanflying

This is a huge topic and comes with massive differences of opinion no matter who you are. It depends on who is drinking to coffee #1 How do you drink your coffee (brew method and or with/without milk) #2 Are you buying it for yourself or to share with others? #3 With these things in mind what I drink at home or choose to drink at home from a Syphon/Pourover/Espresso is totally different to what I would serve up to my average milk based espresso drinking customer. To give you an idea my current Commercial roaster/blend is Jeff at Mycuppa and his Suuweet blend. This is my choice for broad customer appeal and it's ability to cut well through milk (90% of cafe customers). I currently have some samples of Mahalia coffee's #2 and #4 blends to try too. For home I have just finished off a COE bag from MBD for Syphon use totally different prospect and I suspect would have been ordinary as an Espresso. So best to narrow down the topic a little and most of all IGNORE fairfax press as they have NFI of what is a good coffee!

Dry_bean.

on 1310727101:

This is a huge topic and comes with massive differences of opinion no matter who you are. It depends on who is drinking to coffee #1 How do you drink your coffee (brew method and or with/without milk) #2 Are you buying it for yourself or to share with others? #3 With these things in mind what I drink at home or choose to drink at home from a Syphon/Pourover/Espresso is totally different to what I would serve up to my average milk based espresso drinking customer. To give you an idea my current Commercial roaster/blend is Jeff at Mycuppa and his Suuweet blend. This is my choice for broad customer appeal and it's ability to cut well through milk (90% of cafe customers). I currently have some samples of Mahalia coffee's #2 and #4 blends to try too. For home I have just finished off a COE bag from MBD for Syphon use totally different prospect and I suspect would have been ordinary as an Espresso. So best to narrow down the topic a little and most of all IGNORE fairfax press as they have NFI of what is a good coffee!

Soooo, if we are to ignore Fairfax that leaves us with Murdoch, are you inferring Rupert and his ranga girlfriend know what they're on about. ::) ;D

beanflying

Nope, just Fairfax try and make out more often they know about coffee by reading websites, blogs .... see my reviewing the reviewer thread for more. Mainstream media parrot this info as gospel without any clues generally.  ::) Serious comment here there is no such thing as "the best" in coffee as it is subjective for a start and personal bias will always play a part. A couple of roasters in Melbourne in particular I would put head and shoulders above the rest for roasted beans for brewed coffee but their ability to provide a consistent full bodied espresso roast as a SO or blend is questionable. This is the problem with the so called 3rd wave roasters some awesome new stuff has been done and found but some of the lessons of the past they have tried to dump to their detriment. Rant off for now 

askthecoffeeguy

Ok I'll put my hand up: Toshi from Market Lane in Melbourne - the guy has a phenomenal palate and I think this translates to some amazing coffees - I also think that Dukes Coffee Roasters (why do I always want to call them Dukes of Windsor?), in Prahran, are spot on when it comes to creating a flavoursome blend that drinks perfectly with milk (easier said than done in my opinion not many get it right) And Single Origin in Sydney for phenomenal dedication and passion which translates to excellence in the cup - plus these guys are willing to push the envelope of what's possible in educated ways as opposed to just inflicting us with 'what's hot (or should I say luke warm?) right now!'

FreshCoffee2

I can see no direct answer to this question because any answer wont be much more than someone's opinion.   Also what is the definition of "best"? The topic is subject to too many variables not the least of which is what is"fashionable in coffee" at the moment. That's just my opinion   Rgdz, Attilio very first Crema site sponsor.

WotB

New roasting franchise...The Best Coffee Roaster in <city name>.  Dead set winner in whichever publication! I'm partial to Coffee Alchemy (since I can't name my own).

mycuppa

When I saw this post 2 days ago, I confess to being more than a little fired up at how these sort of questions can result in unnecessary argy-bargy in a forum - just like throwing a Molotov cocktail into a fireworks factory or asking what is the best espresso machine or grinder. Whilst Blackbird may not have intended to incite a riot and I know we are a friendly, civil lot here on Crema, it is still a very polarising and emotive topic - people have their fav's. So I had to bit my tongue, cool down and chill. There are many sensational coffees from roasters across Australia - the standard is world's best. Remember the old 25 rule............ 25% green bean selection (roaster) 25% roast preparation (roaster) 25% equipment setup (not necessarily the roaster) 25% barista (not the roaster) Don't assume if you think you have found the best roaster that you will have the best-tasting beverage.

blanyon

Must be a roaster rule, I think I am more important than that! ;D

beanflying

There is a corollary to the 25% rule the humble bean may be ruined 100% at any stage from picking to drinking by anyone who touches it 

FreshCoffee2

Dont sweat it Brett, you go the 50% including responsibility for equipment set up 

blackbird

Cool answers, thanks for the responses guys!!!! :D

coffeehorse

Fairfax actually got their 2011 Sydney ratings pretty accurate, but they're trying to launch & sell a new publication. My usual "I'd pay for shipping, too..." places are Market Lane (VIC), Coffee Alchemy (NSW), Square Mile (UK), Hasbean (UK), Mecca Espresso (NSW), Seven Seeds (VIC), but I've seriously enjoyed "eg. would score 40+/60 (espresso) or 16+ (taste balance as cappuccino) on WBC scoring charts " coffee from a whole range of roasters.

blackbird

Hi Guys, Just wanted to say, I wasnt trying to get anyone angry or trying to upset anyone, I am sure there are many fine roasters  and cafe owners with passion about their product, It was more of a question of what do you prefer personally and why? Its also nice to give a shout out to other businesses that you think do a great job with coffee!!!