We’re lucky to have a rich, vibrant coffee culture in Australia. We’ve adopted traditional European coffee-drinking practices whilst seeking worldwide influence, bringing flavours from Columbia, Ethiopia and more to our coffee cups. Coffee in Australia is such a serious business that Melbourne and Sydney are in hot rivalry regarding who has the top Australian coffee culture. Currently, Melbourne hails the title ‘Coffee Capital of Australia’, though Sydneysiders would have something to say about that.
Here’s our cheat sheet on everything you need to know about Australian coffee brands and habits so that you can order like a pro.
Most Popular Coffee In Australia
According to JURA Australia's National Coffee Study for 2022, the cappuccino was the 2022 Aussie favourite across age and gender categories. And who can blame us – a shot of coffee and warm, frothy milk topped with chocolate powder is a yes from us.
A latte for women and a flat white for men closely followed the cappuccino in second place respectively. So overall, the milky coffee orders win out over long blacks or espresso shots. Here’s the difference between the top three coffee orders:
- Cappuccino
An Italian classic – a shot of espresso topped up with thick, frothy milk, often served in a rounded cup and topped with chocolate powder. - Latte
A shot of espresso topped up with steamed milk and a small amount of froth, often served in a tall glass. - Flat White
An Aussie institution – A shot of espresso topped up with steamed milk. Unlike the cappuccino or latte, the milk is thinner and without froth, giving a stronger coffee taste.
How Many Grams Of Coffee In A Shot In Australia
If you like your coffee brewed strong to prepare you for the work day, you’re in the right place. Australia, the US and Europe go for a 1-1.5 to 1:2 ratio of coffee to water.
However, Italy, the espresso machine's birthplace, still uses its traditional recipe of a 1:3 ratio. Why? By extending the ratio, the individual flavour notes of the coffee become easier to pick out and the clarity of the coffee increases whilst losing some of the body. It’s a balancing act to draw out the distinct flavour of the bean whilst keeping the crema that sits atop every shot.
Many Aussie cafes now opt for a double shot as standard for a punchy coffee flavour. At Knights, we use XXXXXXXX. Let the barista know if you’d rather have a weaker or stronger coffee.
Other factors that impact the amount of coffee used per shot include the roasting style (a lighter roast may require more coffee) and the consistency of the grind. If you’re using a fine grind at home, you’ll notice you can pack more into your portafilter.
The Difference Between Coffee Beans and Blends
Not all beans are made equal. At Knight’s, we research, taste test and build relationships with international growers and roasters to bring you the best-tasting cup of coffee. We serve the same coffee at our cafe as you’ll find in our take-home beans so that you can enjoy that familiar, warm taste at home and on the go.
Single Origin
Single Origin Coffee is sourced from one country's producer, crop, or region. Due to varying growing conditions, each region produces coffee beans with a unique flavour profile. For example, Columbia is known for its chocolate, nutty taste and medium, silky body, whereas Ethiopia has sweet, fruity flavours offering a silky, honey-like texture. Single origin coffee beans celebrate the region and characteristics of where that plant was grown. It also helps with traceability back to the source.
House Blend
The house blend is your local cafe’s signature coffee. It’s the familiar taste you love and which keeps you coming back time and time again. Humans (and knights) are creatures of habit, so we guarantee consistency in every cup. At Knights, our house blend features tones of XXXXXXX
If you love our house blend, grab a bag of beans to enjoy at home too!
Filter Coffee
Filter coffee is a thinner, subtle drink compared to its espresso counterpart. It uses a lower coffee-to-water ratio (roughly 1:16) and is passed through a paper or metal filter, then dispensed into a carafe or mug placed below. It uses gravity to pass through the filter – unlike espresso machines that use pressure – which results in a balanced, rich-flavoured brew.
Ordering Coffee In Australia
With these tips, you’ll be ready to order coffee with confidence. The only question is, what will you go for?
We have six coffee blends to purchase ad hoc, so you can taste-test every flavour to find your perfect cup. For the regular coffee drinker, save time and money with our subscription service featuring our signature house blend, single origin espresso and single origin filter.