Australian coffee producers have done themselves proud, particularly in the espresso class of the Sydney Royal Coffee Competition. Part of the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, the competition seeks to award excellence in Australian coffee production, and according to the results we have some fierce contenders in the global coffee industry.

Organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), the Sydney Royal Coffee Competition was held on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 February. 2007 was an impressive year with a jump in entry numbers. Over two days, 15 judges assessed 207 entries from 57 producers across Australia.

High Trees Estate was the only company to take out a Champion award. The NSW company from Alstonville won gold for their Rainforest Single Origin espresso. High Trees Estate also won two silver medals and a bronze, resulting in a medal win for each of their four entries.

Global Coffee Solutions (Fairy Meadow NSW) was the only other company to win gold for its Lazumba Latino blend.

�The judges were extremely impressed with the espresso class in 2007,� said Chairman of Judges, Grahame Latham AM. �The standard improved greatly from previous years, with many espresso entrants paying closer attention to roasting detail and flavour profiles.�

�Overall, the Sydney Royal Coffee Competition produced one champion, two gold, 19 silver and 45 bronze medals which is a fantastic result,� said Fine Food Committee Chair Lyndey Milan. �Australian coffee producers have put in a tremendous effort, and the results are testament to this.

�We always aim to encourage and reward Australian coffee producers. The Sydney Royal Coffee Competition allows exhibitors to benchmark Australian grown coffee against imported beans, recognising Australia�s coffee producers as amongst the best in the world.�

Other top performers were Biobean Coffee (Helena Valley WA) who took home two silver and four bronze medals. Mifeia Coffee Roast Australia (Ashmore QLD) and Amoree Coffee (Moonee Ponds VIC) both won two silver medals each.

Nadine�s Premium Coffee (Kirrawee NSW) won one silver and four bronze medals. Coffee Republic (Launceston TAS) and Zentveld�s Australian Coffee (Newrybar NSW) both took home three bronze medals each.

Further Information: Anita Sulentic, PR Manager, RAS (02) 9704 1453 0404 045 049 Kirilly Smith, PR Coordinator, RAS (02) 9704 1338 0412 449 307

SYDNEY ROYAL COFFEE COMPETITION MEDAL WINNERS

CHAMPION ESPRESSO High Trees Estate Alstonville NSW

GOLD Global Coffee Solutions Fairy Meadow NSW High Trees Estate Alstonville NSW

SILVER Amoree Coffee Moonee Ponds VIC (2 Silver) Biobean Coffee Helena Valley WA (2 Silver) Byron Bay Coffee Company Newrybar NSW C4 Coffee Design Service Mordialloc VIC Coffee Hit Abbotsford VIC Five Sense Coffee Victoria Mornington VIC Gloria Jean�s Coffees Baulkham Hills NSW High Trees Estate Alstonville NSW (2 Silver) Kasmack Coffee Coffs Harbour NSW Mifeia Coffee Roast Australia Ashmore QLD (2 Silver) Morgan�s Coffee Springwood NSW Nadine�s Premium Coffee Kirrawee NSW Oomph! Coffee Hobart TAS Rocksberg Coffee Rocksberg QLD Zeta�s Coffee Carool NSW BRONZE Abrisca Roasters of Coffee Wooloongabba QLD Argosini Australia Spit Junction NSW Art of Espresso Coffee Greenethorpe NSW Australian Estate Coffee Alstonville NSW Bangalow Coffee Nashua NSW Biobean Coffee Helena Valley WA (4 Bronze) Byron Bay Coffee Company Newrybar NSW Coffee Max Camberwell North VIC Coffee Republic Launceston TAS (3 Bronze) Coffex Coffee Brunswick VIC Di Bella Coffee Brisbane QLD Echidna Coffee Erina NSW Eltham Valley Pantry Eltham NSW (2 Bronze) Five Senses Coffee Victoria Mornington NSW High Trees Estate Alstonville NSW Karmee Coffee Artarmon NSW (2 Bronze) Killara Coffee Tullera NSW Mahalia Coffee Robe SA (2 Bronze) Maranatha Import Export Castle Hill NSW Mareeba Coffee Mareeba QLD Nadine�s Premium Coffee Kirrawee NSW (4 Bronze) Numero Uno Coffee Surry Hills NSW (2 Bronze) Oomph! Coffee Hobart TAS Premium Coffee Roasters Wagga Wagga NSW Rubra Coffee Myaree BC WA (2 Bronze) The Coffee Bean Roasting House Tamworth NSW The Coffee Roaster Strawberry Hills NSW Veneziano Coffee Abbotsford VIC Yahava Koffee Works Busselton WA Zentveld�s Australian Coffee Newrybar NSW (3 Bronze)