Australian Barista Champion Matthew Lewin has recommended organic coffee beans available at supermarkets as a cost-effective way to enjoy quality brews at home amid rising prices. He highlights options from Woolworths and an Australian brand for their value and flavor. Lewin shares insights on coffee production challenges and home brewing tips.
Matthew Lewin, who won the Australian Barista Championship in 2019, advises choosing organic coffee beans from supermarkets to maintain quality without high costs. With coffee prices up by 15-20 percent over the past two years, he points to the Macro brand at Woolworths as a solid option, currently on sale for $32 per 1kg bag, praising its price and roast level. He also endorses Northern Beaches Organic Wood Fire Coffee beans, an Australian organic product priced at $26.50 for 500g.
Lewin explains that global supply issues, including frost and drought in Brazil and Vietnam two years ago, have driven prices higher. He notes the lengthy process from harvest—taking nine months to a year—followed by three months of shipping, roasting, grinding, and serving, which justifies costs like $10 per cup. In Australia, ideal growing conditions are limited by insufficient altitude, which slows bean development for better flavor in cooler, higher elevations.
Drawing from over a decade in the industry, Lewin began his career in his early 20s after a Europe trip sparked his interest. In Melbourne, he discovered specialty roasting and the local coffee scene, which he describes as captivating. He appreciates coffees ranging from supermarket varieties to premium Geisha, a rare Ethiopian Arabica known for its tea-like, floral notes and prices up to $150 for 150-250g. On Geisha, he says, "When you go to drink it, it will be like one of the most amazing wines you've ever had. It'll be long finish, textural and flawless. It'll be sweet silky mouthfeel... It'll be just this harmonious experience. It'll still taste like coffee but it'll just have all these other inherent elements that will just blow you away."
For home use, Lewin stresses buying whole beans over grounds to avoid staleness from oxygen exposure, as beans last up to 30 days while grounds stale in one day. He recommends storing beans in a tightly sealed, air-free pack in a dark, dry place, with premium types like Geisha suitable for freezing. A good grinder and machine are essential, and he notes the rise of plant milks, with almond leading but oat gaining popularity. Lewin, who partners with Vitasoy for milk alternatives and sells Ona coffee online, views coffee as a vital morning ritual: "A really good cup of coffee sets you up for the day."