Coffee News

Central Region Coffee Championships

ASCA Central Region Coffee Championships on this weekend

The 2019 Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) Central Region Coffee Championship will take place from 20 to 21 October. Held at Specialty Coffee Curators in Marrickville, New South Wales, this is the third regional of the 2019 competition season. The Central Region Coffee Championship will see the best baristas from NSW and the Australian Capital Territory combine to compete in the Barista, Latte Art, Brewers Cup and Cup Tasters competitions.
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True Roots to hold learning tours of Mexican producing region

Non-profit organisation True Roots International is holding its Coffee and Community Development Learning Tour of the Mexican coffee growing region La Mixteca Alta in November 2018 and January 2019. “This tour is about going beyond just talking about issues at origin, to highlight initiatives focused on adapting and diversifying in an increasingly unviable industry. Our tours support these partners, showcase their efforts, and create connections with those truly committed to improving coffee farmer livelihoods and development at origin,” True Roots International Director Summer Lewis says.
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NZSCA to hold Barista Championship Workshops

The New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA) will hold a series of Barista Championship Workshops across New Zealand ahead of the Meadow Fresh New Zealand Barista Championship in February 2019. The NZSCA workshops will provide baristas with an opportunity to network, develop new skills, and refine their knowledge of the Championship rules and regulations.
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Charcoal Lane serves lunch fit for a Duke and Duchess

On their first day in Melbourne, Prince Harry and Meaghan Markle stopped by social enterprise Mission Australia’s Charcoal Lane to taste Australia’s native cuisine. Executive Chef and Horticulturalist Greg Hampton designed the contemporary menu, specifically for The Duke and Duchess. It consisted of an entrée of mushroom and quinoa nest and chargrilled kangaroo, and main course of wild boar, saffron risotto and barramundi. “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students to meet Their Royal Highnesses,” Mission Australia CEO James Toomey says.
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Kieran Westlake elected new ASCA President

Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) members have appointed Kieran Westlake its new President. The new board was elected at the association’s Annual General Meeting on 12 October at Criteria Coffee in Melbourne. “It’s with absolute humility and honour I accepted the position of ASCA President,” Kieran says. “ASCA is arguably in the strongest position since its inception in 2001 – financially, structurally and operationally.” 
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Australian Brewers Cup Champion Heath Dalziel prepares for World Championship

Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) Australian Brewers Cup Champion Heath Dalziel is preparing for the 2018 World Brewers Cup, to be held in Brazil from 7 to 9 November. Heath, of Third Time Lucky, won the National Brewers Cup title in March at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo. He is currently in Canberra, training with 2017 World Brewers Cup runner-up Sam Corra. He has also worked with 2014 Australian Brewers Cup Champion Devin Loong, and 2015 World Barista Champion and Ona Coffee Founder Sasa Sestic.
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Habina Resource Centre wins 2018 Papua New Guinea Coffee Cupping Competition

Habina Resource Centre from the Eastern Highlands has won the 2018 Papua New Guinea Coffee Cupping Competition with a cupping score of 85.45. Judges described the coffee as tasting of “tropical fruit, brown sugar, tea, and bright lemon-lime acidity”. Six other producers also scored above 85, with Kamora from Obura-Wanenara at 85.41, Untoa Kosa from Obura-Wanenara at 85.32, Pandai from the Enga Province at 85.27, Tibunofi from the Eastern Highlands at 85.23, Obura-Wanenara Coffee Cooperative Society at 85.16 points, and Besser from Obura-Wanenara at 85.01 points.
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BioPak announces partnership with Swedish business Duni

BioPak has announced a partnership with Swedish-based accessory supplier Duni, a deal that will launch Biopak’s range of sustainable packaging solutions across Europe and the Asia Pacific region. “This partnership is a great opportunity to reduce plastic pollution and fight the war on waste on a global scale,” BioPak CEO Gary Smith says. “BioPak started back in 2006 with a simple vision – a world without waste. We were first to market offering sustainable, environmentally adapted packaging in Australia, expanding soon after to New Zealand. “Since then, BioPak has experienced unprecedented growth and we are delighted to partner with Duni in taking our ethos to the global stage, working with a company that shares our values in sustainability and customer prioritisation.”
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The Good Cartel

The Good Cartel serves more coffee each week than town’s population

Broome café The Good Cartel has revealed it makes approximately 15,000 cups of coffee a week, more than the town’s population of almost 14,000. From its beginnings as a small food truck, The Good Cartel says it has grown to become Broome’s go-to destination, an alfresco dining and drive-through restaurant.
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