Leslie Massey
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in Australia, with Australians drinking over six billion cups of coffee per year. However, less than 1% of this coffee is grown in Australia. Coffee beans can be grown in Australia, and have been since 1832, when a small coffee plantation was established in Brisbane. The two main species of coffee plants for commercial production are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are known for their superior quality and delicate flavour profiles, thriving at higher altitudes with cooler temperatures. Robusta beans, on the other hand, are more robust and bitter, thriving at lower altitudes with warmer temperatures. When growing coffee beans in Australia, it is important to consider factors such as climate, soil conditions, altitude, and rainfall patterns. Coffee plants typically thrive in tropical climates with stable temperatures between 23-28°C and high rainfall. They can be grown from fresh seeds, sown on top of seed-raising mix, and require occasional moisture when germinating. The beans are then harvested, dried, and processed to create the final product.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial growing areas | Atherton Tableland, Sydney, Melbourne, North Coast of New South Wales, Glass House Mountains, Sunshine Coast, Far North Queensland |
| Climate | Tropical, sub-tropical, temperate |
| Temperature range | 23-28°C |
| Altitude | 2,000-6,500 feet above sea level |
| Soil | Good quality, fertilised every 1-2 months |
| Watering | Occasional moisture when germinating, about 2-3 times a week |
| Sunlight | Prefers light shade to full sun |
| Pests and diseases | Minimal |
| Ripening season | July to October |
| Harvesting | Only the red cherry is kept after the green and overripe/black cherry have been separated out |
| Processing | Pulping, fermentation or mechanical removal of mucilage, sun or mechanical drying, hulling, grading |
| Storage | Airtight container |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right variety of coffee beans
Australia has a unique set of conditions for growing coffee beans, with its subtropical and tropical climates, and freedom from pests and diseases. The two main species of coffee plant for commercial production are Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica beans are the most common, accounting for around 75% of global consumption. They are known for their superior quality and nuanced, smooth, and aromatic flavour profiles. Arabica beans thrive at higher altitudes, between 2000 and 6500 feet above sea level, and cooler temperatures. They are more susceptible to pests and diseases, but their flavour is highly valued.
Robusta beans, on the other hand, are hardier and more resilient. They grow well at lower altitudes and warmer temperatures. Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter flavour and contain more caffeine. Their resilience makes them easier to cultivate, especially in less favourable conditions.
When choosing the right variety, consider your local climate, altitude, rainfall patterns, and soil type. Coffee plants prefer tropical climates with stable temperatures ranging from 23-28°C. They can survive in full sun but prefer light shade. Higher altitudes provide the cooler temperatures that Arabica beans favour, whereas lower altitudes are better suited to Robusta beans.
In Australia, the sub-tropical climate of South-East Queensland is ideal for coffee growing, producing sweet and fruity notes with a chocolatey flavour. The North Coast of New South Wales, with its cooler subtropical climate, also produces slower-ripening, naturally sweet beans that are lower in caffeine. The Atherton Tableland in tropical North Queensland is another region known for coffee production.
Consulting with local agricultural experts or coffee growers can provide valuable insights into the best varieties for your specific location and conditions.
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Creating an optimal growing environment
Coffee plants thrive in tropical climates with stable temperatures and high rainfall. The ideal temperature range for coffee cultivation is between 23-28°C. Extreme temperatures can stress the plants and negatively impact their quality. Therefore, it is important to protect the plants from strong sun and drought. This can be achieved by providing shade through fences, neighbouring trees, or other means.
The altitude is another significant factor, especially for Arabica beans, which grow best at higher altitudes of 2,000-6,500 feet above sea level. Higher altitudes provide cooler temperatures and slower maturation rates, leading to more complex and nuanced flavours in the beans. However, latitude can compensate for altitude, and Australia's subtropical latitudes provide a long ripening season, resulting in sweet and fruity notes and chocolatey flavours.
The two main species of coffee plants for commercial production are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are known for their superior quality and delicate flavour profiles. They thrive at higher altitudes with cooler temperatures but are more susceptible to pests and diseases. Robusta beans, on the other hand, are hardier and more resilient, thriving at lower altitudes with warmer temperatures. They have a more robust and bitter flavour and contain more caffeine. When choosing a variety, consider factors such as altitude, climate, rainfall patterns, and soil type. Consulting with local agricultural experts or coffee growers can provide valuable insights into the varieties best suited to your specific location.
In addition to temperature and altitude, soil quality is crucial for optimal growth. Coffee plants require well-drained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. Regular fertilisation every 1-2 months will help provide the necessary nutrients for the plants to thrive. Ensure the plants have enough room to grow and provide occasional moisture, especially during germination, watering them 2-3 times a week.
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How to harvest and process coffee beans
Harvesting coffee beans is a fun and fulfilling adventure that directly influences the taste and quality of your coffee. It is a labour-intensive process, and most of the world's coffee is hand-picked. The harvest time varies depending on the type of bean, but for popular beans like Arabica and Robusta, you'll want to start harvesting when most cherries look ripe and colourful. The cherries are then sorted to remove any defective or unripe ones before processing.
To know when your beans are ready, look out for the following:
- Colour change: Coffee cherries will change from green to a vibrant red or yellow when they are ripe.
- Texture: Give them a gentle squeeze. If they feel a bit soft, they are just right.
- Observation: Stay curious and keep checking the plants. Ripeness can vary depending on the weather, so be your own local coffee weather forecaster.
Once the beans are harvested, they must be processed. There are two main methods: the dry (natural) process and the wet (washed) process.
The dry process involves spreading the cherries out in thin layers, drying them in the sun, and turning them regularly to ensure even drying. This method typically results in a fruitier, more complex flavour profile.
The wet process involves the following steps:
- Pulping: Remove the skin and pulp within 24 hours of harvesting. This can be done by squeezing each berry by hand or using a piece of wood to tamp the berries in a bucket until all seeds have been forced out from the skin.
- Fermentation: Cover the beans with water in a bucket to remove the slippery mucilage that remains around the beans. It will take at least 18 hours for fermentation by natural enzymes to work. Check that it has worked by washing a few beans. If they feel clean and gritty, they are ready. Wash the beans in agitated water and drain until the water runs clear.
- Drying: Spread the beans in a thin layer and sun-dry, protecting them from the rain.
After processing, the beans must be dried to a 10-12% moisture content. You can also dry roast the beans in a wok while moving them constantly and monitoring the colour.
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How to roast coffee beans
Roasting your own coffee beans at home can be a fun hobby, but it requires attention and quick reactions. The difference between a perfect roast and an under/over-roasted batch can come down to seconds, so you need to be able to react quickly to get the beans out of the heat and cool them down.
There are a few options for roasting beans at home. You can use a stove-top popcorn popper with a crank to agitate the beans, but this method doesn't allow for precise heat regulation, and you can only roast a small amount at a time. Alternatively, you can use a machine made specifically for home coffee roasting. These machines may offer chaff collection, smoke reduction, timers, temperature control, airflow regulation, and digital automation. Air roasters are generally smaller and better for roasting smaller batches, while drum roasters are larger and better for roasting bigger batches, but they require more attention and generate more smoke.
When roasting, it's important to keep notes about what works and what doesn't so that you can repeat your roasts and get consistent results. Every bean is different, so you need to understand how to make adjustments. It's also important to be prepared for the smoke and chaff that roasting produces. Chaff is the brown, paper-like skin that comes off the beans during roasting, and when roasting at home, you're responsible for removing it.
Finally, freshly roasted beans should be used within 5-7 days, so it's important to find a batch size that you can use within that window.
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Australia's climate for growing coffee
Australia's climate varies between regions, but the country is generally considered to have a moderate climate. Coffee is grown in two main areas in Australia: northern New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD), due to their subtropical climate. The Atherton Tablelands in QLD, home to the Jack Murat Coffee Farm, is one of these important coffee-growing regions. Northern NSW has a notably cooler subtropical climate, which produces slower-ripening, naturally sweet beans that are lower in caffeine.
As coffee is a tropical rainforest plant, it requires frost-free conditions and high rainfall to thrive. This limits the areas suitable for coffee production in Australia to pockets on the tropical and subtropical eastern seaboard. The majority of Australia's coffee is imported, but it is grown commercially in tropical areas like the Atherton Tablelands. However, coffee can also be successfully grown in cooler places like Melbourne.
Australia is fortunate to be largely free of the pests and coffee diseases that afflict many other countries. This has allowed the local industry to develop a "clean green" image. Australian coffee requires fewer pesticides and chemicals to grow, making it one of the most eco-friendly coffee productions in the world.
The climate in Australia's coffee-growing regions can vary, with some areas experiencing a drier climate. As a result, some Kenyan coffee varieties, such as K7 and SL6, are better suited to these drier conditions. The availability of ample land, a moderate climate, and rich soil make Australia an ideal place to grow coffee.
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Frequently asked questions
Coffee beans can be grown in tropical areas like the Atherton Tableland, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Coffee plants thrive in tropical climates with stable temperatures between 23-28°C. They also need protection from strong sun and drought.
First, select the right coffee bean variety suited to your climate and soil conditions. Then, create an optimal growing environment for the plants by providing great quality soil, fertilising them well, giving them enough room to grow, and watering them well.
You can grow the "First Fleet" variety, which can grow to between 2 to 5 meters and has dark red berries. Another option is the "Kamerunga Dwarf" cultivar, which gets to around half the size of 'First Fleet' and has yellow berries.
Pick and wash the cherries, then remove the beans from the fruit. You can then use a food processor with a plastic blade attachment to remove the husks, and optionally use a hairdryer to blow away any remaining husks. Finally, lay the beans out to dry in the sun or use a mechanical dryer.
