Aussies might be a laid-back bunch, but when it comes to coffee, it’s a different story. Extra hot, half oat-half almond, iced with no sugar, or piled high with froth – we know what we like and won’t settle for anything less. Call it coffee snobbery, but hey, that’s what happens when you grow up in a country spoiled by world-class roasters and baristas. But, where can you find Australia’s very best coffee? We’re about to spill the beans…
In early September, the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show – one of Australia’s most prestigious food competitions showcasing products made from at least 85 per cent local ingredients – crowned the nation’s ‘Champion Coffee’. After hours of tasting and judging, Brisbane’s Coffee Mentality emerged as the overall winner with its 100 per cent single-origin Australian-grown blends.
This mini coffee empire also took gold in the latte category, silver in the piccolo category and bronze in the plunger category for its Auditory blend, which delights with notes of chocolate, citrus and a touch of honeyed sweetness.
Filipino-born founder Ian Abadiano says, “Who would’ve thought a small business like ours would get this kind of recognition? It’s overwhelming in the best way – it puts us in the spotlight, which brings some pressure but also opportunity. It’s been great for business, and the team is buzzing. It’s empowering to see their hard work acknowledged like this.”
After moving to Australia, Abadiano spent five years in banking before succumbing to his love of coffee. He launched Coffee Mentality as a mobile espresso van (which is now a permanent fixture at the West End Markets), before opening a hole-in-the-wall café in South Brisbane in 2016.
Abadiano now boasts four locations, including a flagship roastery in Woolloongabba, where they offer barista training programs and a one-of-a-kind coffee-tasting experience. Caffeine lovers can sample a flight of single-origin pour-overs, including Coffee Mentality’s very own urban-grown beans. Their nine locally produced, sustainable blends – including the award-winning Auditory – are also available online for shipping across Australia.
When we asked Abadiano what makes his coffee special, he said, “It all comes down to the people. Coffee doesn’t just happen; it’s a chain of care. From the farmers who grow and harvest the beans, to the processors, the roasters and the baristas – each person plays a role. Without them, coffee is just a plant really. At Coffee Mentality, we call this the majesty of the little things; it’s about putting care and attention into everything we do.”
If you’re keen to stock up on beans, Queensland’s Jack Murat Coffee took silver in the latte category, while three roasters tied for bronze, including Crater Mountain Coffee (QLD), Bellissimo Coffee (QLD) and Mountain Top Coffee Estate (NSW). You can check out a full list of winners here.