The latest news and views from the Bennetts team
Featuring the latest news on the coffee industry and business insight from senior members of the Bennetts team.
News
Meet the Bennetts: A is for Accounts
It’s always nice to be able to put a face to a name. Unfortunately, personally meeting all of our partners and clients face-to-face is often a challenge in our global industry.
Industry News.
The recent leaf rust or Roya in Spanish, outbreak throughout Central and South America has remained a prevalent topic in the industry this week, with output estimates from affected origins for 2013/14 crop beginning to appear.
A Good Brew
Bennetts are excited to announce the launch of Jillian Adams’ new book ‘A Good Brew’, the history of H.A. Bennett & Sons and tea and coffee in Australia.
Organic Coffee - Frass and Furphy's Part 1
We get quite a few enquiries about how organic certification works, especially regarding importing coffee and quarantine requirements.
 Bennetts.jpg?dim=450x20050x50x415x155)
Bennetts 100 Year Stock-take Sale!
Some great discounts on some of our coffees! Get the before the 28th of June for the amazing prices!
Acid Basics
There are many types of acids contained in the coffee bean, and just as many factors that determine the strength and composition of those acids. Here we look at just a few of the more common organic acids and their characteristics in the roasted product.
Bennetts Christmas Trading Hours 2020
Details on our Office and Warehouse Christmas and New Year closure dates.
 Bennetts.jpg?dim=450x20050x50x415x155)
 Bennetts.JPG?dim=450x20050x50x415x155)
Organic Awareness Month - September 2020
As part of the Australian Organic Awareness Month this September, we take a closer look at one of Colombian Supply Partners
 Bennetts 1000.jpg?dim=450x20050x50x415x155)
Brazil Origin Update
Coffee culture and sustainability go hand in hand, and it couldn’t be more evident than at Fazenda Monte Alto in Brazil.
Guatemala Origin Update
In late February this year, our Key Account & Trading Manager Alex Capurro left Nicaragua (still with customers in tow) and jumped over to Guatemala to spend some time with the indigenous community of Todos Santos.
Nicaragua Origin Update
In February, our Key Account & Trading Manager Alex Capurro took a trip to Nicaragua (with a few customers in tow) to source some amazing specialties and find out what’s new at the origin.
Colombia Origin Update
Our Colombian trip paints an optimistic outlook towards the future of Colombian coffee.
Origin Update: Costa Rica
How Does Costa Rican Coffee Maintain Sustainable Prices in a Low Market?
Origin Update: Panama
Coffee from $21 to $1,029 in 15 Years: Panama Geisha and the Luxury Coffee Industry
Happy International Tiger Day! July 29th 2019
To celebrate international tiger day Bennetts are excited to share with you the latest report from the WildCat conservation alliance team on the ground in India and Nepal.
Grounds for Health
“We are changing the landscape, one community at a time!” - Quote from Dagmawi Iyasu, Grounds for Health East Africa Program Manager, February 2019
Snapshot from Origin: Costa Rica
As harvest was drawing to a close in Central America, it was time for us to pack the essentials, get the cameras ready and polish the cupping spoons. Check out our 1 week adventure in Costa Rica below!
Scotty's Sentiments - PNG Spotlight
My latest trip this month was my fifth time back to Papua New Guinea over the past 32 years. It is interesting to see how PNGs coffee industry has survived throughout the years and the ever-present struggles they face today.
The Bennetts Newsletter is BACK!
May 2018 Newsletter. All things Bennetts and coffee...
Saving Wild Tigers by Doubling Down
For the whole month of July in the lead up to World Tiger Day, Bennetts will be doubling our donation for every bag of Indian Tiger Mountain sold. All you have to do is purchase Indian Tiger Mountain and for every bag Bennetts will donate 2 USD.
Pimp your Profile with Anne Cooper in our Instagram Competition!
Our first competition for the year can see you win a private roasting consultation with roasting coach Anne Cooper! Read below to find out how to enter and win!
Fifty Shades of Green?
In the eternal quest for ‘better’ coffee, there are many labels applied to raw beans to get our attention, Shade-Grown being the most recent, but is this really better for the environment and produce a better cup?
New Arrivals: Peruvian single-farmer Project 121 microlots fresh in!
Through our Project 121 program we help roasters build exclusive relationships with an individual farmer at origin. Here are the stories behind the lots we've recently received from our Peruvian small holder farmers…
New Arrivals: Brazilian natural microlots have landed!
Our Brazillian natural microlots have landed and are a testament to the increased concern for quality and specialty coffee in Brazil.
USA pull out of International Coffee Agreement
What does the International Coffee Agreement mean for the relationship between the USA and International Coffee Organisation?
New Arrivals: Fresh-crop Rwandan just in!
An amazing coffee Rwanda's into a bar..... sorry. But on a serious note, our fresh Rwandan coffees have arrived!
Why do coffee prices change? Part 1 of 2
Over the next two articles we'll be discussing some of the factors that impact the price of coffee. In this article, we'll look at futures, currency fluctuations, rising demand, and transportation costs.
Why coffee prices change, Part 2 of 2
Last blog, we talked about the factors that impact the price of coffee. So far, we've looked at . This time, we're going to be discussing how climate, certifications, currency fluctuations, and local economics and politics come into the mix.
Looking to the future in our Centenary year
Bennetts is pleased and humbled to be celebrating our company’s centenary in 2018. Pictured: Bill Bennett in Indonesia circa
New arrivals: Colombian single-farmer project 121s fresh in!
Through our Project 121 program, we help roasters to build an exclusive relationship with a farmer at origin. Here are the stories behind the lots we've recently received from our Colombian partners...
Will unbanning robusta cost Costa Rica?
Robusta has been banned from Costa Rica for 30 years to protect the nation's crops from the coffee borer beetle, but since the beetle has now been present for some years, that ban may be overturned.
Guatemalans fresh in!
Ahh Huehuetenango. Even the name is a treat on the tongue ('Way - way - te - nang - goh', as per our team member Mr. Alex Capurro's lyrical native Spanish-speaker's pronunciation).
Grounds for Health spreading good healthcare and cheer!
We’ve had some great news recently from Grounds for Health, the not-for-profit charity organisation that we’ve been supporting for some years now. Their mission is to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer among women in developing coffee countries.
From battle grounds to coffee grounds.
An amazing origin story from Nicaragua, check out the natural-processed Jinotega SHB from Agropequaria Bariloche farm here.
'Climate change itself is probably doing good...'
What coffee science has to say about Tony Abbott’s recent speech on Global Warming. Article by India Read.
Snapshot from Origin: Brazil
Last month, Scott and Georgia visited the worlds largest producing origin; Brazil. They visited exporters and farmers to see how the 2017 harvest was progressing.
On opting to celebrate International Co-op Day
How can we ensure that the farmers and communities who grow coffee are receiving the opportunities and resources they need, that they aren’t taken advantage of, and that they have a access to security and stability?
For better or worse? What the RFA/UTZ merger will mean for the coffee industry
The US’s recent withdrawal from the Paris Climate Change Agreement has done nothing to soothe global anxieties about climate change’s pealing alarm bells. For members of the Specialty Coffee community, that tolling is a particularly urgent knell.
Defect Cup-Skilling
The Roaster Guilds' recent 'Demystifying Defects' cupping session was a rare, guided opportunity to dip a toe into waters that most coffee drinkers will spend a lifetime trying to avoid.
Tea Change: Trouble Brewing for Tea Producers
Climate change is leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of tea farmers around the world. Article originally published in Cafe Culture International Magazine.
Kim Elena Ionescu on Sustainability in Coffee
Another instalment of the Toby's Estate 'Knowledge Talks' by the Specialty Coffee Association's Chief Sustainability Officer, Kim Elena Ionescu, proved both sobering and heartening at once. The path to sustainability won't be easy, but as an industry our willingness to innovate and collaborate will keep us in good stead.
The Golden Bean and why competitions present a golden opportunity for Roasters
Last week's Golden Bean Roasting Competition and Conference was an all-round success; a chance for the Australian roasting community to connect, learn, and share in an environment of friendly competitiveness.
Talking better coffee with Peter Giuliano
SCAA member and Director of the Re:Co Specialty Coffee Symposium Peter Giuliano's recent visit to Australia as guest of Toby's Estate 'Knowledge Talks' series presented a fantastic opportunity to learn about the new sensory lexicon and flavour wheel released earlier this year.
The Maragogype Varietal
The Second instalment of the Bennetts Varietal Mini-series focuses on the Maragogype bean.
The Bourbon Varietal
It isn't just Origin that brings flavour to a cup - introducing the Bennett's Varietal mini-series. Episode 1: Bourbon Coffee
Winter is coming... to Brazil
What if millions of coffee bushes were damaged and global coffee prices spiked dramatically?
Long Fermentation Process (LFP)
Our latest blog takes a look at the process of long fermentation, as we announce the arrival of our first coffee that has been fermented this way - Colombian Excelso Huila Timana.
CafeSmart 2016
Our collaboration with StreetSmart to raise awareness for CafeSmart 2016 - A unique event to unite coffee makers and drinkers around Australia to take action against homelessness.
Project 121 Partner: Sol y Café
In 2016 we have partnered with Sol y Café Cooperative in Peru to bring in a selection of Project 121 microlots for the second consecutive season.
Industry News.
A larger than predicted Arabica crop for Brazil, harvest update for Central America and the ICO's export data for the first quarter of the current October 2015 to September 2016 coffee year.
Origin Trip Report: Ethiopia December 2015
A trip to Ethiopia is high on any coffee aficionado’s bucket list and as a first trip to origin (my apologies to Far North Queensland) there is no better.
Meet the Producer: Rocel Romero Rafael
Our Project 121 microlots from Sol y Café Cooperative are due to land this month and will be a great way to kick off the New Year.
Progression, Innovation and Caffeination: The Origins of the Coffeehouse
In our most recent editorial for Cafe Culture magazine, we explore the origins of the coffeehouse and follow its journey from humble beginnings as a social establishment housing artists and intellectuals to the global institution that we know it to be today.
The 'New' Terms in Coffee
'Sustainably certified', 'Social premium', 'Direct trade'. In recent years terms such as these have made their way into the lexicon of our industry and are quickly becoming commonplace on coffee offerings from supermarket shelves to boutique cafes.
Bennetts & 21st Century Tiger: Project Update
We have received an end-of-year update on the Mataki Tag Project from the 21st Century Tiger team on the ground in India.
Christmas Closure
Bennetts will be closed during the Christmas period from 24 December 2015 until 1 January 2016, re-opening for business on Monday 4 January 2016.
Golden Bean 2015 Wrap Up
As the dust settles on another Golden Bean it seems appropriate to reflect on what this competition means to the coffee community of Australia.
The Art of Seasoning
Tis the season…to learn about seasoning your new roaster. Largely due to a growing number of enquiries on the subject, we at Bennetts decided it would be a good idea to write an article on the divisive subject of seasoning a coffee roaster.
Industry News.
The widely reported El Nino phenomenon has prompted a wave of dry weather across Central and South America.
Connecting the Supply Chain
Project 121 aims to connect growers and roasters by linking the beginning and the end of the supply chain. The concept facilitates a unique connection between 1 producer and 1 roaster, hence the ‘121’.
Talking of Tea: Part Three
In this instalment of Talking of Tea we’re unscrambling the STGFOP riddle.
#BennettsOnTour in Peru
Our self-titled #CaffeIndianaJones Alex has just returned from Peru after spending a week touring around the origin visiting producers. Whilst travelling he kept us up-to-date with photos and snippets on Twitter.
Update to Bennetts Terms & Conditions
We have recently updated our Website Usage Terms, Trading Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Industry News.
The declining AUD prompts local prices to rise and a positive trend line emerges in NY market, the latest harvest update from Central America and maintaining the delicate balance of supply and demand in Brazil.
Bennetts at Cafe Biz
Café Biz 2015 is rapidly approaching and Bennetts HQ is abuzz as we prepare to head north!
Origin Trip: Ethiopia
Published in the April issue of Cafe Culture Magazine, Guy shares his experiences and insights of the birthplace of coffee from a recent origin trip to Ethiopia.
Cupping with Cafe Granja La Esperanza
Join us for an evening of cupping and Q&A with special guests Hernando Tapsaco and Felipe Paz from the award winning Colombian producer Cafe Granja La Esperanza on Thursday 19 March.
Brazil Moves to 59kg Bags
If Brazil is an origin that regularly appears on your orders, soon you will notice some changes to the way these coffees are sold. Rest assured we are not starting to despatch short weight bags; however there have been some important changes at origin that will affect our shipments and your orders.
Decoding the Coffee Curse
Scott shares his insight into the recent coffee leaf rust epidemic in Central America and discusses concerns arising from the fallout in the December issue of Cafe Culture magazine.
Christmas Closure
Bennetts will be closed during the Christmas period from 24 December 2014 until 2 January 2015, re-opening for business on Monday 5 January 2015.
Sri Lanka Origin Trip
A short while ago Scott and I went to the beautiful country of Sri Lanka to meet with our tea supplier and visit tea growing regions.
Recognising The Women Of The Coffee World
The subject of gender equality is increasingly acknowledged within the coffee industry in all aspects of the trade. As a result of this, we are seeing an increase in organisations supporting gender diverse trade and implementing projects aimed at recognizing and encouraging the participation of women within the international coffee community.
Wrapping Up Another #GoldenBean
One of our favourite events on the industry calendar, the annual Golden Bean Roasting Competition was held earlier this month in sunny Port Macquarie. Lorna, Alex and Michael represented Bennetts at the event and a great time was had by all.
Keeping Up With The Little Green Bean
Featured in the current issue of Cafe Culture Magazine, 'Keeping Up With The Little Green Bean' reflects on the recent shift towards superior quality and traceability within the coffee industry and the popular movements that have ensued.
Talking of Tea: Part Two
Continuing our series on the art of tea, in this instalment we turn our attention to different methods of processing and look at how these methods produce characteristic taste profiles.
Meet the Bennetts: Putting the Q in Quality
The next department to be featured in our ‘Meet the Bennetts’ series is regarded as the brains of the operation – or rather the taste buds.
Industry News.
Brazil remains top of mind as we wait to hear final production output for 2014 and next year’s forecast after a drought-stricken harvest, Grounds for Health expand into Ethiopia, and the latest Nyeri update direct from ground zero.
Talking of Tea: Part One
With Lorna and Scott recently having returned from Sri Lanka and the inaugural Melbourne Tea Fair kicking off this weekend, tea is at the front of our minds.
#BennettsOnTour in Sri Lanka
Scott and Lorna have recently returned from visiting some of our tea partners in Sri Lanka. Whilst travelling they kept us up-to-date with photos and snippets on Twitter and Instagram.
Bennetts at Golden Bean 2014
It’s coming up to that time of the year again. Every morning the sun is shining a little earlier and the allusion of spring is in the air. It’s nearly time to dust off the sunscreen and get ready to slip, slop, slap as we prepare to head to Port Macquarie for the Golden Bean!
Meet the Bennetts: The Three Marketeers
So far we have covered off the accounts and despatch departments in the Meet the Bennetts series, but we haven’t yet met one of the most integral teams in the business.
Salam from Rayyan Mill
We have some newly landed specialty lots from an origin that is new to the Bennetts offering, and one that we are very excited about. Launched at our cupping night earlier this month, these coffees are amongst the first of this specialty grade quality to be commercially available to the Australian market.
In the Hopper...
For the fourth season we have been fortunate enough to secure specialty microlots from the Mathias family at Kelagur Heights Estate in India. These specialty lots are all UTZ Certified and have been processed with the utmost care and consideration.
Bennetts & 21st Century Tiger: Project Update
We are excited to have received the latest trip report from the 21st Century Tiger team on the ground in India.
Cup with Bennetts
Bennetts are hosting a cupping night at the Kew Court House on Thursday 24 July at 6pm.
Industry News.
Prolonged uncertainty regarding Brazil’s annual production continues to cause volatility on the ICE, and global production estimates are released from the USDA.
SCAA 2014
Last month Scott, Guy and I were fortunate enough to attend the 2014 Specialty Coffee Association of America ‘Event’.
Touring Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company
In conjunction with the annual SCAA 2014 Event in April this year, Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company (SWDCC) invited its customers to tour their global decaffeination facility in Vancouver, Canada.
Bennetts Sponsor Throw at Single O!
A wrap up of the biggest coffee party Sydney has ever seen!
Industry News: Coffee Pricing 101
Global coffee prices have been in the spotlight in recent weeks after having experienced a very sharp and rapid rise.
Bennetts are on Twitter and Facebook!
Connect with Bennetts on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest news from the Bennetts team.
COCAFCAL - Small and Beautiful
Our new season COCAFCAL Honduran micro lots have arrived and we thought we’d share a little information with you about these special new coffees.
Decaffeinated Coffee without Compromise
Bennetts are exclusive importers of Swiss Water Process coffee to the Australian market and are proud to supply quality decaffeinated green beans that taste just as good as the caffeinated version.
The Nyeri Situation: An Update from Ground Zero
Bennetts were fortunate enough to visit Kenya and Ethiopia earlier this year to spend time with our suppliers, cupping and planning for the upcoming season. Whilst in Kenya we were keen to gauge a further understanding of the continuing situation in Nyeri.
Visiting the Birthplace of Coffee
Upon his return from touring East Africa earlier this year, Scott offers his thoughts on the progression and development of the birthplace of coffee since his last visit in 2010.
A Pulped Natural by Any Other Name...
Pulped natural aka honey, semi-washed, semi-lavado, or whichever name the process is going by currently, is a relatively new method to the world of coffee processing.
In the Hopper...
We have recently been lucky enough to establish a relationship with Brazilian specialty coffee producer O’Coffee. This is the first time the O’Coffee brand has been available in Australia and we are very excited to be able to offer these coffees to the Australian market.
India Origin Trip
Recently I was fortunate to be in a position to travel to India on behalf of Bennetts and visit some plantations that we purchase our coffees from as well as the dry mill that processes these coffees.
Bennetts sponsor World Cup Tasters Championship
Bennetts are excited to announce that we will be an official sponsor of the World Cup Tasters Championship 2014, held in conjunction with the upcoming Melbourne International Coffee Expo.
On the Cupping Bench
Cupping is an integral aspect of our business and part of our daily routine in the Bennetts office. We are cupping coffee every day - if not twice a day, and we evaluate every sample that comes through the door.
Saving the Indian Tiger
We are eagerly awaiting our new season Tiger Mountain shipment, scheduled to arrive later this month. This year we are supporting an exciting new conservation project, and with the shipment nearly here we are finally able to share with you all a little about the new initiative.
Connecting Coffee & People
For almost 100 years we have been the bridge between Australian businesses and the farmers and exporters of coffee and tea across the world.
In the Hopper...
Our new Mexican San Cristobal Micro Lots have arrived and were the highlight of our cupping bench this week! We spoke to origin partner James Kosales about where these special coffees come from.
Kelagur Varietals just in.
We have a selection of Indian Varietals from the Kelagur Heights Estate just arrived. Available now from our Melbourne store.
Bennetts Online has Arrived!
Welcome to the new Bennetts website! It’s been a long time coming but we’re finally here and excited to share with you the new Bennetts Online...
Colombian La Esperanza Lots have Arrived!
We're excited to announce that our new Colombia Granja La Esperanza micro lots have arrived.
Industry News.
An update on the Central and South American leaf rust epidemic and the latest production expectations from PNG, Brazil and India.
Gold & Green
Bennetts HQ is abuzz this week with preparations for the upcoming Golden Bean conference in full swing. This year we will be judging as well as providing information about all things green in the Green Bean Zone.
Industry News.
An update on 2012-13 outputs; the agricultural strike in Colombia comes to an end and dry weather in Costa Rica fuels roya spread.
In the Hopper...
With the return of wintery weather after the recent warm spell (of course it wasn’t going to last, typical Melbourne!) we’ve gone back to drinking the hot stuff here at Bennetts HQ...
Industry News: The Year of the Coffee Curse
An in-depth look at the coffee leaf rust epidemic that has rocked the industry over the last 12 months and the effects this outbreak will have on the new 2013/14 crop year.
UTZ Certified: Better Farming, Better Future
Bennetts HQ received some international visitors last week, all the way from UTZ Certified HQ in The Netherlands!
Golden Bean Wrap Up
Get the wrap up on the Golden Bean this year as the Bennetts team return to Melbourne.
In the Hopper...
Our El Salvador Yellow Bourbon Microlot #11 has been the star of the hopper this week. With our chief barista (slash many other things), Fay back in the country after a quick break, the espresso machine has been getting a workout!
Industry News.
The latest 2012/13 total production estimates from the ICO, a new development program to combat climate change, and weather conditions in South America.
Ready, Set, Mo!
Bennetts are growing Mo's for Movember! Support Team Bennetts in our Movember campaign and watch our Mo’s grow.
Fairtrade: A Fair Go For All
In response to a recent decline in demand for Fairtrade Certified coffee, Bennetts take a look at what the system stands for and share our motivations behind supporting the certification program.
Industry News.
An update on 2013/14 crop year sentiments in the wake of a continual decline in the market price of coffee, Vietnam's lucky escape from super typhoon Haiyan, and the recent Let's Talk Roya event in El Salvador.
Hujambo from Kenya
Our new season Kenyan lots have been delivered into store this week and we are very excited to share with you these delicious new arrivals!
Meet the Bennetts: Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Our shipping and despatch department are veterans of the Bennetts team. Richard and Heidi have been with Bennetts since 2006 while Sherry is a relatively new addition to the Bennetts team, having started in 2012.
Rainforest Alliance: The Little Green Frog
The little green frog of Rainforest Alliance is recognized around the world as a seal of certified environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Christmas with Grounds for Health
For the past two years, Bennetts have chosen to make a Christmas donation to Grounds for Health on behalf of our customers, as an alternative to adopting the hamper approach. In 2013 we will be donating to this significant organisation once more.
Industry News.
The current situation in Nyeri, Kenya has lead the industry news this week, drawing particular attention from the specialty coffee sector.
San Agustin with a hint of marzipan...
With microlot season well and truly under way, we are particularly excited about our new season Colombian specialty lots due to arrive in store mid-March.
Cafe Biz 2014
Bennetts are excited to be exhibiting at the upcoming Café Biz expo being held 15-16 March at Brisbane Showgrounds.
Industry News.
Unexpected weather conditions prompt a surge in the price of coffee on the New York ICE Futures Market, the FIFA World Cup set to take over Brazil, and the latest update from leaf rust affected Central America.