Coffee Blog
Do I Need An Espresso Machine For These Beans?
At The Espresso Club™, we craft our specialty coffee blends with home brewing in mind, aiming to bring quality espresso experiences to your kitchen. While our beans are perfect for espresso machines, we understand that not everyone has one – so, let's explore how you can enjoy our coffee, regardless of your equipment. Designed for home espresso machines Our Smooth Medium Blend and Rich Strong Blend are roasted specifically for home espresso machines. This means: Optimal extraction:The roast profile is tailored to extract rich flavours under the high pressure of home espresso machines Flavour balance: Expect notes of chocolate and caramel, delivering a well-rounded cup Crema formation:Our beans are ideal for producing that desirable crema on top of your espresso shot Don't have an espresso machine? No problem. Our beans are versatile and can be brewed using various methods. Stovetop Flavour: Produces a strong, espresso-like coffee Grind size: Medium-fine Tip:Fill the filter basket without tamping and brew over medium heat Aeropress Flavour: Offers a concentrated, smooth cup Grind size: Fine Tip: Use the inverted method for better control over steeping time French Press Flavour: Yields a full-bodied, rich coffee Grind size: Coarse Tip: Steep for 4 minutes before pressing the plunger slowly Each method brings out different aspects of The Espresso Club beans' flavour profile, allowing you to tailor your coffee experience to your taste preferences. Finding your perfect brew: Your choice of brewing method depends on your desired coffee strength and flavour:Espresso machine: For a concentrated, crema-rich shot. Moka Pot: For a robust, espresso-like brew without the machine.Aeropress: For versatility and portability.French Press: For a hearty, full-bodied cup.Pour-Over: For clarity and subtle flavour notes. No matter your equipment, our beans are crafted to deliver a satisfying cup. Where to Buy You can find The Espresso Club blends at your local Woolworths or order directly from our website, straight to your door.
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How To Brew The Perfect French Press Coffee
There’s something timeless about a French press, with a hands-on simplicity that brings cafe-quality coffee right into your kitchen. At The Espresso Club™, we believe that great coffee doesn’t have to be complicated, and our blends are crafted to shine across a variety of home brewing methods, including the humble French press. Whether you're new to brewing or just want a reliable routine, this step-by-step guide will help you get the best out of your beans, every time. Why French Press? The French press is loved for its full-bodied flavour, simple setup, and no-fuss process. It brings out the rich, natural oils in your coffee, making it perfect for showcasing the bold body of our Rich Strong Blend. Our recommended ratio for brewing French Press is 1:16 – this means, for any size French Press plunger, you will need 15 grams of coffee per 250 grams of water. If you double your coffee to 500g, double your coffee to 30 grams. What You’ll Need: A French press (plunger) Scale (optional) 15g of The Espresso Club™ Rich Strong coffee (about 1 heaped tablespoon) 250g of hot water (just off the boil) A grinder (or pre-ground for French press) Watch or phone to time your brew Spoon for stirring Your favourite mug Step-by-step: 1. Grind your beans coarseStart with a coarse grind for french press – it should feel like sea salt. If your grind is too fine, the coffee will taste muddy and over-extracted. 2. Add 15g of coffeeThis is a solid starting ratio for 250g of water (roughly 1:16). Adjust to taste once you've tried it a few times. 3. Pour in 250g of hot waterUse water just off the boil (aiming for around 92–96°C). Pour slowly and evenly to saturate all the grounds. 4. Stir gentlyUse a spoon to gently stir the top layer and ensure all the grounds are wet. 5. Pop the lid on and let it brew for 4 minutesSet a timer and let the coffee steep. The longer you brew, the stronger the taste, but 4 minutes gives you a smooth, well-rounded cup. 6. Press and pourSlowly press the plunger down with steady pressure. Pour immediately into your mug and enjoy. Tips Don’t leave coffee sitting in the press for too long — it keeps brewing and can turn bitter.Rinse your French press straight after to keep flavours clean.Try using a scale to exactly measure your coffee and water, if you want better consistency. Use the Right Beans The Espresso Club™ blends are roasted specifically for home brewing, including French press. Shop now online, or at your local Woolworths. Find your nearest Woolworths
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Why Most Beans Don’t Work in Home Machines
If you’ve ever brewed a cup at home that tasted flat, bitter, or wildly different from your cafe favourite, you’re not alone.One of the biggest struggles for home baristas is this: most coffee beans just aren’t made for home espresso machines. And that’s exactly why we created The Espresso Club™ – to change that. The Why: 1. Other blends are roasted for commercial pressure Commercial machines push water through coffee at 9 bars of pressure or more. Home machines (especially automatic or entry-level manual machines) often operate at lower, inconsistent pressures. This means the beans don’t extract the same – they can taste thin, sour, or overly bitter. 2. They’re made for pros Many beans are roasted with skilled baristas in mind. In a cafe, you have: A calibrated grinder Dialed-in recipes Experienced hands pulling each shot At home, you're working with smaller machines, less time, and variable tools – and those cafe beans just aren’t forgiving. 3. They expect full control Single-origin, light-roasted beans might be amazing in the right hands – but for home espresso, they often lead to inconsistent results, especially in milk-based drinks. You end up adjusting endlessly and wasting good coffee trying to “figure it out.” Enter: The Espresso Club™ The Espresso Club™ by Industry Beans is Australia’s first specialty coffee brand designed specifically for home espresso machines – manual and automatic. Here’s what makes our blends different: Roasted for your machine Smooth Medium is crafted for pump machines – it’s balanced, sweet, and easy to extract.Rich Strong is designed for every brew method – bold, consistent, and full of flavour even at lower pressure. No more over-roasting. No under-extraction. Just beans that work. Blends, not guesswork We’ve removed the trial-and-error. Two blends: one for pump machines, one for every brew method – clearly labelled and easy to choose.Each blend is tested and perfected for real-life home brewing. Designed for results From crema to consistency, every part of the The Espresso Club™ experience is built to give you a better espresso at home. Whether you’re making a quick flat white before work or enjoying a long black on a slow Sunday, The Espresso Club™ delivers a great cup – without the stress. Now available at Woolworths Skip the confusion and coffee aisle overwhelm. The Espresso Club™ is roasted for your machine – and available at your local Woolworths, so you can get started brewing better coffee at home today. Find your nearest Woolworths
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Home Barista Alternative Milk Guide
At The Espresso Club™, we believe great coffee starts with the right beans – and ends with the way you enjoy them. Whether you're pulling shots with our Smooth Medium Blend or Rich Strong Blend, the milk you pair it with can transform your drink entirely. And these days, there’s more choice than ever. From oat to almond to soy (and everything in between), here’s our simple guide to alternative milks – and what to consider when using them in your home coffee routine. What makes a milk "good" for coffee? When it comes to pairing with espresso, here’s what matters most: Texture: Can it stretch, froth, and hold microfoam?Flavour: Does it complement the coffee or overpower it?Stability: Does it split when mixed with espresso? Alternative milks have come a long way – and with the right pairing, you can create barista-level drinks from your kitchen bench. Oat Milk Best for: Balanced, creamy results with easy frothingWhy we love it: Oat milk has become a barista favourite for a reason. It steams beautifully, produces silky microfoam, and adds natural sweetness that plays well with espresso’s boldness.Home Tip: Look for “Barista Edition” oat milks – they’re formulated to be extra stable and froth-friendly Almond Milk Best for: A light, nutty flavour and low-calorie optionWhy we love it: Almond milk gives a more delicate cup with a subtle marzipan note. It won’t overpower espresso, but it’s more prone to splitting if not steamed carefully.Home Tip: Warm it gently and avoid pouring into very hot shots. Barista blends = best bet. Soy Milk Best for: Rich texture, cafe-style frothWhy we love it: Soy has long been a cafe standard. It stretches well, holds its shape in lattes, and has a smooth, creamy body. Its flavour is slightly stronger, but The Espresso Club’s blends handle it beautifully.Home Tip: Avoid overheating – it can get thick fast. Less is more with steam time Coconut Milk Best for: A light tropical twistWhy we love it: Coconut adds a gentle, sweet lift to iced coffee and long blacks. It doesn’t always steam well, but it shines in cold drinks or as a flavour twist in espresso.Home Tip: Try a splash in an iced long black for a subtle surprise Other up-and-coming options: Macadamia: smooth, buttery, and luxurious mouth-feelHemp: earthy, nutty, high in omegasPea/Protein-based: super creamy, but more savoury in flavour These niche options can work well, but may take more trial and error. Shop Online at Woolworths
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The Best Way To Store Coffee Beans
At The Espresso Club™ by Industry Beans our specialty blends are roasted specifically for home espresso machines, so every shot starts with the right foundation. But once you’ve got the perfect beans, there’s one small detail that makes a big difference: how you store them. Just a few easy habits can help you preserve flavour, protect freshness, and enjoy consistently delicious coffee, day after day – no fancy setup required. 1. Keep them in a cool, dry place (not the fridge) It’s tempting to pop your beans in the fridge, but that’s a myth we’re happy to bust. Coffee absorbs moisture and odours easily, so storing them near food or inside a humid fridge can affect taste. Do this instead: Keep your bag in a cool cupboard, away from heat (like the oven or sunlit shelves) 2. Use an airtight container The bags your beans come in from The Espresso Club™ are all equipped with rippa zippas, which helps your coffee stay air-tight, waterproof and helps to maintain freshness. If you're looking to take a bigger step, airtight containers can slow this process dramatically. Do this: Transfer beans into a dark, airtight container Choose one with a one-way valve or tight seal 3. Avoid clear jars As beautiful as a glass jar looks, light degrades coffee over time. Do this instead: Use an opaque container, or store glass jars inside a cupboard to protect them from light 4. Buy just what you need Not sure how much coffee you really go through at home? Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right bag size: If you’re making 1–2 coffees a day, a 400g bag will last you around 2–3 weeks If you’re brewing 3+ coffees daily, the 1kg bag is your best bet – offering better value and less frequent restocking Having the right amount of beans on hand for your household's needs helps keep your routine smooth and stress-free. Pro Tip: Want to test your bean freshness? Brew a shot – and check the crema. A thick, golden layer usually means your beans are still fresh and full of life. You’re closer to great coffee than you think Storing your beans well doesn’t take special gear or barista know-how – just a few mindful habits that help your coffee shine. At The Espresso Club™, we believe that great coffee at home should be simple. Our beans are roasted specifically for home espresso machines – which means the hard work is already done. All that’s left is to enjoy your daily coffee. Shop Online at Woolworths
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Why The Espresso Club Coffee Tastes So Good
We created The Espresso Club™ back in 2020 with one clear goal: help more people make great coffee at home. Five years later, we’ve had over 5,000 members join our subscription program, brewing better coffee and building home barista confidence every day. Now, we’ve taken everything we’ve learned and roasted it into two brand-new blends - Rich Strong and Smooth Medium - now available at Woolworths supermarkets and online. Roasted for Home Coffee Machines Unlike cafe blends, which are roasted for powerful commercial equipment, The Espresso Club coffee is crafted specifically for home machines. We’ve fine-tuned the roast profile to extract beautifully on domestic equipment, delivering balanced flavour and consistent results. Whether you’re using an espresso machine, french press, or a stovetop, these blends are designed to perform. 100% Arabica Beans Both blends are made with 100% Arabica beans, chosen for their superior taste, aromatic complexity, and clean finish. No bitterness, no muddiness - just bright, full-bodied flavour that shines through in every brew. The Blends Smooth Medium: Balanced, Versatile, EffortlessSmooth Medium is the go-to for everyday espresso. It’s got a mellow acidity, caramel sweetness, and a smooth finish. It’s incredibly versatile - perfect for long blacks, flat whites, and everything in between. Check it out at Woolworths. Rich Strong: Bold, Chocolatey, Full-BodiedRich Strong is for those who love their coffee big and bold. With rich chocolate notes and deep body, it’s ideal for milk-based drinks or a strong, flavourful shot. It works beautifully in espresso machines, French Press, and even stovetop brewers. Check it out at Woolworths. Brew Better, Every Day Whether you're just starting out or chasing the perfect shot, Espresso Club coffee brings the cafe-quality experience home - no barista badge required. Find our new blends at Woolworths or shop online and activate your free membership for tips and tutorials, and discover just how good home-brewed specialty coffee can be. Find your nearest Woolworths
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