However, Mecca is so much more than this. They deeply care not only about quality, but fair trade and sustainability. To be honest, I tried writing this article many times and could not describe the depth of this properly in my own words. So instead, here is it in theirs:
“We started this place as an outlet for really great coffee. Despite a mature and booming cafe culture, most of Australia's coffee roasters had very limited access to transparency at the farm and origin level. When questions surfaced like "who grew this coffee, how much did they get paid, and why does this lot taste so different to that one?" we found the answers were unclear, so we set out to find some ourselves.
Sure enough, it was a serious can of worms. What else do you expect to happen when you start turning over rocks in an industry this big? It seemed like wherever we traveled, cupping spoons in hand, there was far greater things to discover - stories of crop disease, fairtrade labeling upsets, dodgy deals and logistical nightmares. We have spent many long flights, road trips, skype sessions and coffee dates asking how we can do better for our planet and for the people who deserve more recognition for producing good quality coffee.
We haven't compromised on our standards since day one, and that's the reason we're still here so many years later.
It’s easy to talk about the impact of the soil, altitude and variety on flavour quality. It’s much harder to recognise all the effort and work that went into creating the infrastructure up on those hills, or the difficulties of navigating shipping lanes. We always try to keep in mind the many hands that have touched our coffee before us. Those who have taken so much care and pride in their work before it ever arrives at our door. We really believe that we are a small piece of the puzzle, so we do our best to honour the efforts of the full community of people working together to bring you delicious coffees every day. “
I’ve had a wholesale relationship with Mecca for a few years now and personally I can vouch that they live up to this. I’m willing to bet that any of their other wholesale customers would say a similar thing.
This week we are featuring five coffees from Mecca. Scroll down to learn more about them.





House Blend
2/3: Estrella del Norte, Huila, Colombia
1/3: Mountain Capixaba, Espirito Santo, Brazil
Roast date - 6/07/2021
Variety - Multiple
Process - Washed
Flavour notes - Orange, Honeycomb, Milk chocolate

Moonwalker
2/3: Mountain Capixaba, Espirito Santo, Brazil
1/3: Mamut, Huila, Colombia
Roast date - 06/07/2021
Variety - Multiple
Process - Washed
Flavour notes - Rich Dark Chocolate, Cassis & Pecan Pie

Hadeso, Ethiopia
Hadeso is a privately owned washing station located in the Shakisso District of Guji. This coffee was produced as part of Testi’s premium cherry selection - an initiative for paying farmers more for the ripest cherries on their coffee trees.
Roast date - 06/07/2021
Altitude - 1950 masl
Variety - Local Landrace
Process - Washed
Flavour notes - Pear, mandarin

Sorany Castano Motta, Colombia
The 90s were tough for coffee producers in Colombia. Don Gabriel Castano, who grew through this decade turned to growing coca instead - the tree used to make Cocaine. Once an opportunity to get out arose, Don turned with back on Coca and dedicated himself entirely to specialty coffee.
Roast date - 06/07/2021
Altitude - 1700 masl
Variety - Pink Bourbon
Process - Washed
Flavour notes - Cola & Candied Fruit

Riakiberu, Kenya
The coffee that makes up this lot from the Riakiberu Coffee Factory is grown in the rich, red soils of Nyeri Country thanks to the area's volcanic history.
This lot from Riakiberu Factory is a Peaberry. Peaberries are an anomaly, instead of forming two seeds inside a 'coffee cherry', Peaberries are the result of only one seed forming. This Peaberry is bright, with a cola-like sweetness. If you received this coffee, we recommend drinking the other first as it will need a few days to age.
Roast date - 12/07/2021
Altitude - 1700 masl
Variety - SL28, SL34
Process - Washed
Flavour notes - Cranberry & Cola
Recipes
Espresso - 9 bar
Brew ratio - 1:2 (dry coffee : espresso liquid)
Temp - 94 Deg C
Time - 25-30 seconds.
*Adjust grind size to achieve the desired time
Espresso - 6 bar
Brew ratio - 1:2.5 (dry coffee : espresso liquid)
Temp - 94 Deg C
Time - 25-30 seconds.
*Adjust grind size to achieve the desired time
Pourover
Temp - off the boil
Ratio - 1:17(dry coffee:water)
Bloom - 30 seconds
Flow rate - fast
*Adjust grind size to achieve desired flow rate
Aeropress
Temp - off the boil
Ratio - 1:16 (dry coffee : water)
Bloom - 30 seconds
Brew time - 90 seconds (including bloom)
Press consistently over 15-20 seconds.
Stove top
Ratio - 1-17 (dry coffee : water)







