Words by Tehya Nicholas Images Supplied
Did you know, if you replace your morning coffee with a peppermint tea, you can lose up to 87% of the joy you have left in your lockdown life?
That’s why we’re big supporters of coffee. To roast, to grind, to percolate and most importantly to drink – any interaction with this magical little bean is a good one. And on October 1st, coffee gets it’s very own day of worldwide recognition with (the fittingly titled) International Coffee Day.
Of course, it’s no secret Melbourne is the coffee capital of the world but regional Victoria is hot on the city’s tail. With dozens of independent roasteries serving speciality coffee at their own storefronts or supplying to some of Melbourne’s biggest cafe’s, regional Victoria’s coffee scene is like a dark horse ready to bolt – you want to have your bets on it.
So in celebration of International Coffee Day, we thought we’d give the people what they want (and need) to get them through another few weeks of lockdown: a list of regional Victoria’s best roasteries to stockpile your grinder and crank the morning joy up to 11. Without further ado, here are six of our top picks.
1. Great Divide Coffee, Marysville
Perched on the edge of the Great Dividing Range in Marysville, this micro-roastery specialises in ethical, fairtrade and sustainable coffee that does not compromise on flavour. Bold Arabica beans are sourced by the tight-knit team from premium coffee farming countries like Papua New Guinea and Brazil. All roasted by hand in small batches, Great Divide Coffee can be tasted in cafes around North Eastern Victoria or ordered directly via their website for your home brew.
The laid-back and sustainable ethos of the Surf Coast flows into all aspects of Ocean Grind’s coffee roastery. From the careful selection of ethical coffee farms around the globe, to the slow and small batch roasting that takes place in their Torquay home, this crew puts as much love into coffee as they do into surfing – and that’s saying something. Once travel restrictions ease, we recommend giving their flagship cafe a visit, but remember to bring your reusable cup! No single-use cups are in sight here.
Traditional European coffee craftsmanship meets central Victorian standards at the Coffee Basics Rösterei and cafe Das Kaffeehaus. Helmed by Edmund Schaerf and Elna Schaerf-Trauner, Coffee Basics is the result of sixty years of family tradition in the roasting and blending business. Their small batch, artisan coffee beans come in either single origin or blend packs and can be ordered online.
4. Revolution Roasters, Mornington Peninsula
Much more than just a roastery, these guys are changing the game when it comes to coffee roasting, both for their own blends and for other businesses. Revolution Roasters are putting freshness, transparency and simplicity at the centre of the coffee experience, supplying sustainable green beans to cafes who roast themselves. Try their Three Bags Full Sample Pack for the full taste experience.
5. Mansfield Coffee Merchant, Mansfield
This is speciality coffee that has caught the eye of some of Melbourne’s toughest coffee-critics. Mansfield Coffee Merchant burst onto the scene several years back and has turned the sleepy High Country town into an industry leader. They roast their single origin coffee and signature blends on-site, package them in compostable packaging and sell them direct to the public. Plus, they even have Nespresso-compatible coffee pods. What more could you want?
6. Silva Coffee Roasters, Wesburn
Nestled in the Yarra Valley surrounded by native bush, Silva Coffee Roasters produce coffee that is, quite simply, delicious. Local duo Wayne and Cleo started roasting in 2010 with a desire to share and celebrate great flavour with their community. Fast forward over a decade and that passion has flowed onto countless folks taking a detour off the Warburton Highway for a pitstop at their roastery door and ordering online for home. All beans come from socially and environmentally sustainable sources and are roasted with care to make the perfect cup.
We wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
