COFFEE CULTURE : AUSTRALIA
Starting with the fact "New South Wales and Victoria have a larger share of cafes and coffee shops than their population base would indicate". This is largely due to higher average income in these states, and greater demand for cafe meals and beverage. Second interesting fact is that ''Barista can gain a nationally accredited academic qualification''.
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF COFFEE IN AUSTRALIA
The quality espresso coffee culture took root in Australia in the 1950s, expanded significantly in the 1980 until it finally became the gold standard for cafes and coffee shops right across the nation today. While not every cafe has reached the gold standard, quality espresso coffee can be found somewhere close -by where ever you find yourself in Australia.
You may have question that How could a nation is so isolated from the rest of the world develop such a world-class coffee standard? While, the answer lies in the luggage of the few Greek and Italian immigrants who made Australia their home in the early part of the 20th century and even greater number that came in a boat loads to Sydney and Melbourne after Europe's devastation WW2. This immigrants bring stove-top espresso coffee maker and the odd Gaggia espresso coffee machine. They wanted to share this experience in their new home and eventually Roasting coffee businesses, distribution networks and Italian-style cafes soon followed.
Here are some other points about Australian coffee culture, scope of coffee knowledge and coffee making in Australia. As the coffee is generating so much revenue in this country the coffee personnel have various benefits and opportunity in Australia.
Espresso coffee dominates cafe orders
Just like Italy, there is no significant commercial market in Australia for coffee other than espresso. Few cafes/coffee shops offer drip-filter,plunger,percolated or instant coffee. Some offer Clover syphon and cold drip but more for theater than for profit.
Barista can gain a nationally accredited academic qualification
So important has the role of barista become in Australia that a government endorsed nationally recognized academic qualification has been created and is taught at government Registered Training Organizations.
Independently owned stores dominate the cafe scene
95% of all the 14000 cafes and coffee shops in Australia are independently owned. The research firm IBISworld reports that 'there are no companies with a dominant market share in this industry'.
Although small, Australia grows and exports their own quality Arabica coffee bean
With plantations in far north Queensland and as far south as Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, Australian coffee grower benefit from the rich volcanic soil and most free ambient climate. Without serious pests or diseases that reuire the use of pesticides or herbicides, Australia's coffee is one of the most naturally produced coffees in the world. Production is very small at 200t with exports at only 100t.
Coffee consumption per capital is growing fast at the expense of tea
Coffee consumption has grown rapidly over the last 50 years from 1.2kg per capita to about 4.0kg per capita in 2011. White tea consumption in the same time declined from 1.2kg to 0.5kg per capita.
90% of coffees sold in cafes are milk based
With cappuccino being the most popular drink ordered. Unlike Italy, Australian drink cappuccino all day long whereas for Italians, its only consumed in morning. Also Italians predominantly drink espresso which is another way that Australian culture has adapted the Italian coffee experience for the local consumption.
Australian invented the coffee beverage called 'Flat White'
It is an espresso coffee made like a cappuccino but without the high dome micro-foam and chocolate sprinkle. Just another adaptation of the Italian espresso coffee experience.
Australia owes it coffee culture to immigrant families rather than international chains. As Starbucks opened its operation in Australia with 84 stores at 2000, only to close 61 of them 8 years later because they failed to deliver high quality coffee standard that were already available at independent owned cafe and coffee shops.
Just 7 drinks make up 95% of all coffee orders in Australia. Drinks like short Macchiato, long macchiato, Doppio, white hot chocolate, chai latte, vienna, mocha vienna and ristretto make up only 5% of all the coffee orders. Cafe latte is generally popular with females. Cappuccino is most famou among all along with flat white.
AUTHOR : ROSHAN CHAUHAN