With the local Australian coffee market recently being valued at over $3 billion, coffee has cemented itself as an essential part of our daily ritual. Coffee is a part of life most Aussies can’t do without, whether as a kick-start first thing in the morning or a finishing touch to an evening meal.
Andy Simpkin founder of Australian born Cafe2U mobile coffee franchise explained: “On average, Australians are consuming 2.4 kilos of coffee beans each per year, double our consumption 30 years ago. Australians are drinking more than one billion cups of coffee in cafes and restaurants each year, an increase of 65% over the last 10 years, and we’re even giving Italy a run for its money in terms of consumption per capita. Cafe2U mobile coffee vans alone pour over 6.25 million coffees worldwide a year.”
He continued to say that Australians lead such busy lives and coffee has become an integral part of their daily movements, whether it be to get a quick caffeine boost before work or for a bit of breather from their hectic schedules to sit down over a coffee with friends.
Australia is also now beginning to embrace pure ground coffee, the corner of the market made up of the premium, roast and ground varieties. Sales of pure ground coffee are making inroads into the instant coffee market, suggesting that the Australian coffee palate is becoming increasingly sophisticated.
The Australian winner of the World Latte Art, Scottie Callaghan, is now known and respected around the world. During the last two years Scottie has worked as a consultant to baristas, cafés and coffee companies around the country teaching people the finer points of espresso preparation. Scottie recently joined Cafe2U’s coffee roaster, Australian company Belaroma.
Simpkin said the Franchisee Development Managers at the mobile coffee franchise group are now certified barista judges to safeguard the integrity of the brand and to ensure the coffee they produce is of premium quality. They undertook intensive Barista Championship Judging training with the AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association (AASCA) and are now qualified to judge Barista Championships at a national level.
Simpkin added that coffee is now a serious business and businesses need to be able to impart that knowledge throughout the organisation. The judging is both technical and sensory and criteria include beverage taste and presentation, technical skills and overall impression. The Franchisee Development Managers at the coffee franchise group are able to take what they have learnt to the Cafe2U Franchisees, ensuring that the coffee they are serving from the mobile coffee vans is of high quality.
Thanks to the improved quality, choice and availability of coffee, modern coffee drinkers are more discerning than ever before. This trend looks set to continue as people demand more convenience as well as continuing to appreciate great coffee quality.