Become your own at home barista
A caffeine hit to kick start your morning is a routine many of us partake in on a daily basis. Did you know that more than 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed around the world every single day. Melbourne, in particular is a recognised hub of coffee culture. Let’s face it, we’re coffee snobs.
Purchasing an at-home coffee machine can be an effective way to cut down on costs, all while maintaining your coffee habit. With the money you’ll save, a machine can quickly pay for itself and leave a little extra.
Become your own Barista
Purchasing a coffee machine for your home makes a lot of sense. Making coffee at home is a more sustainable choice because it typically involves putting coffee in a reusable mug, rather than a disposable cup. Depending on where you live, switching to a coffee machine may also help you cut down on your carbon dioxide emissions by saving you a daily trip in your car to get coffee.
In addition to the benefits for the planet, a coffee machine is a long-term money saver. Machines range in price from $20 or less to several hundred dollars, depending on the brewing quality and extra features. Be sure to do your research on what coffee machine will work best for you. Types includes Drip (think American style filter), Home Espresso Machines (if you get your technique right, you could by on your way to a perfect cafe style latter), Percolators (electric), French Press (manual), AeroPress (manual), Cold Brew Makers (manual), Moka Pots (great for an espresso) and more – the list is almost endless!
Additional costs include the costs of beans themselves, as well as maintenance of the machine.
However, the money that you save not buying coffee out will quickly help you recoup the cost. If you spend, say, $100 dollars on a home coffee machine, and were previously paying Melbourne’s average price for an almond latte or double espresso, the cost of your new machine will be made up for in just a little over three weeks time.
Beans, beans, beans
Purchasing locally produced and sourced beans is a great way to support local businesses too. Some of our favourite coffee roasters include:
Market Lane Coffee: Market Lane is a specialty coffee roastery, cafe and retailer, born and based in Melbourne who are dedicated to high quality coffee. They offer a range of Espresso Beans and Filter Beans. Offerings change throughout the year, depending on what’s in season and what tastes delicious. Their coffee bags are made from renewable plant-based materials and are compostable and biodegradable.
ST. Ali: When it comes to specialty coffee ST. ALi was one of the ones who defined specialty coffee in Melbourne; and the ones who continue to push boundaries forward. Since inception ST. ALi has been an industry leader in direct relationships with farmers, in-house roasting and expert coffee brewing.
Industry Beans: Brothers Steven and Trevor Simmons founded Industry Beans in Melbourne in 2010. Their vision was to roast high-quality specialty coffee in a carefully curated environment of transparency and accessibility, to offer the ultimate coffee experience to their community. In 2013 they opened the first Industry Beans venue: an all-under-one roof coffee roastery and brew bar in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Each fortnight their roasting team curate a selection of single origin coffees roasted for espresso and filter alongside their signature and Seasonal blend.
