We’re all about sustainability - from what we eat to how we sip our morning coffee (because let’s be honest, coffee fuels our team!). So, when we had the chance to visit Zentveld's Coffee Farm & Roastery for their “Crop to Cup” tour, we jumped at it - because who wouldn’t want to learn more about coffee while surrounded by lush green fields?
Spoiler alert: we walked away with a whole new appreciation for our daily brew (and maybe a little caffeine buzz)
The Crop to Cup Journey at Zentveld's
Zentveld’s isn’t just any coffee farm - it’s an Australian-grown, family-run, and sustainability-focused operation with over 30 years of experience. So it’s safe to say Rebecca and the team are doing coffee the right way. Here’s what we discovered on the tour:
☕ Regenerative Farming in Action – Every part of the coffee plant is put to good use, from composting the fruit skins to trimming trees and mulching the woodchips back under the trees for healthier, cool damp soil conditions. Nothing goes to waste!
🐝 Bee-Friendly Practices – With native and honey bee hives buzzing around the farm, Zentveld’s proves that coffee and conservation go hand in hand.
🌞 Solar-Powered Roasting – They roast their beans using solar power, proving that good coffee doesn’t have to cost the earth (literally).
Here are some things you might not know about coffee!
FACT #1 - WHAT COFFEE ACTUALLY IS
Coffee is made from the seed within the ripe coffee fruit. The fruit skin becomes a waste product that could be dried to become ‘cascara’ – dried fruit skin used in tea-like infusions. At Zentvelds, they compost their fruit skins, turning farm waste into food for the soil!
FACT #2 - FINDING A RARE GEM
Most coffee fruits have 2 seeds. When only one forms, it's called a Peaberry, resembling a round pea. Considered naturally sweeter, keep an eye out for them in your coffee blend. They're rare but quite special! Zentvelds even coat their Peaberries in chocolate...delicious!
FACT #3 - THE JOURNEY OF A COFFEE BEAN
The journey of a coffee bean to our cup is truly transformative.
First, a flower forms in Spring, pollinated (thanks to bees), leading to the development of tiny fruit buds. Over 10 months, the fruit ripens into a sweet, red 'cherry' with 2 seeds inside.
The coffee is then harvested, pulped from its skins, washed, and dried to ‘parchment form’, where a dry, papery protective skin encloses the raw green coffee bean inside. These beans are then stored, traded globally, ready for roasting which unlocks their aromatic and flavour potential, followed by grinding.
Finally, it's brewed. Phew, ready to drink!
From seed to cup, the process is lengthy and intricate. Let's be grateful, as that coffee bean undergoes quite a journey before we savour our aromatic caffeine fix in a cup!
Tips for a Sustainable Brew at Home
After learning from the best, we couldn’t wait to share some easy ways to brew better at home:
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Ditch disposable cups & sip sustainably – Our new Reusable Coffee Cup is here! Designed to keep your brew hot (without the waste).
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Choose local, ethical beans – Support farms like Zentveld’s that prioritise sustainability and low food miles, real fair trade Aussie-grown coffee.
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Compost your coffee grounds – Give them a second life in your garden or compost bin instead of sending them to landfill.
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Mind your water & energy use – Only boil the water you need and explore low-waste brewing methods like French press or pour-over with mesh filters.
Experience Zentveld's for Yourself
If you're eager to delve deeper into sustainable coffee practices, consider visiting Zentveld's Coffee Farm & Roastery. Their "Crop to Cup" tours offer an educational and enjoyable experience, showcasing the journey of coffee from the farm to your cup.
By making mindful choices in your coffee habits, you contribute to a more sustainable future one delicious cup at a time.
