Get excited! This month, we’re introducing you to our mates at Evolve North. With three solar-powered amenities and a fame for crafting award-winning espresso throughout Australia, these legends are setting the bar excessive for what a roaster could be — and we’re right here for each sip this December.
Evolve North’s story started greater than 4 a long time in the past with humble beginnings like many nice success tales — with one man, a van, a shed, and a imaginative and prescient for sharing distinctive espresso. Since then, they’ve grown from their Shepparton headquarters to branches in Geelong and Mount Gambier, reworking their ardour for high quality espresso into one thing a lot better. Having lengthy mastered the artwork of premium roasting, the workforce has got down to redefine the connection between roaster and shopper. From guiding cafés on brewing and enterprise, to instructing prospects the craft of latte artistry and residential brewing, to consistently exploring new methods to make their operations extra sustainable and progressive, Evolve North pours their coronary heart and soul into all the pieces they do — and it reveals in each roast they craft.
THE INTERVIEW
This month, we sat down with Evolve North’s Head of Espresso, Daniel Shadbolt, to speak about how he discovered his method into the world of espresso, the award-winning path Evolve North has taken, and the place you’ll doubtless spot his workforce when the weekend rolls round.
Inform us about you. What’s your espresso background?
Being Head of Espresso at Evolve North, my focus is all about high quality with out compromise — from inexperienced sourcing and profiling by way of to consistency in each roast. It’s about pushing requirements and ensuring each cup we produce displays the care, high quality and intent behind it.
Espresso rapidly turned not only a profession however a ardour — I like the craft, the sensory facet, and the fixed studying that comes with roasting. I’ve been roasting for over a decade now. I’ve been a Espresso High quality Institute (CQI) Q-Grader since 2016 and not too long ago transitioned into the brand new Specialty Espresso Affiliation (SCA) Advanced Q system. Competitions have performed a giant position in my espresso journey. I positioned third within the 2019 Australian Espresso Roasting Competitors, made the finals once more in 2020 earlier than COVID put issues on maintain, and went on to take 1st place in 2022. That very same yr, I had the honour of representing Australia on the World Espresso Roasting Championship. Extra not too long ago, I positioned fifth in 2024. I’ve additionally competed — and head judged — on the Golden Bean Espresso Roasting Competitors.
The place did the title, Evolve North come from?
Once we selected our new title, we surveyed prospects, suppliers, employees, and potential prospects about why they work with us and what makes us completely different. The overwhelming sample within the responses: we’re all the time evolving or attempting one thing new, and it’s all the time with intent and particular objectives in thoughts. Evolve North means making progress, however not only for change’s sake.
How do you supply your espresso beans and what do you search for within the beans you utilize?
When sourcing espresso, our dedication to high quality begins at origin. We fastidiously choose distinctive beans from areas celebrated for his or her preferrred coffee-growing situations, with a spotlight solely on Specialty Espresso. Past high quality, we take our accountability to the planet and the individuals who domesticate our espresso critically. Sustainability is on the coronary heart of all the pieces we do — from supporting honest and moral commerce to championing environmentally accountable farming practices. Our aim is to cut back our environmental impression and assist safe a sustainable future for coffee-growing communities world wide.
What are you wanting ahead to within the espresso business in the intervening time? Any cool developments we must always maintain our eye on?
Proper now, I’m actually enthusiastic about how know-how is reshaping how folks expertise espresso — from good house brewers that make café-quality cups at house to the rise of ready-to-drink (RTD) codecs that deliver specialty espresso into new, handy areas.
On the sourcing facet, there’s a renewed deal with specialty and single-origin coffees with distinctive processing strategies that showcase the range and craft behind every area. It’s not nearly nice flavour anymore — it’s about curiosity, discovery, and celebrating what makes every espresso distinct.
I’m additionally impressed by how storytelling continues to attach folks to their cup. Sharing the journey — from farm to roaster to café — helps construct a way of neighborhood and appreciation for the work that goes into each bean.
On the similar time, we’re all navigating provide chain and value pressures collectively as an business. It’s encouraging to see how collaboration, transparency, and a shared dedication to high quality are serving to us adapt whereas retaining the fervour for nice espresso alive.
What are your workforce’s passions outdoors of espresso? The place would possibly we discover you on a Saturday night?
We’re a big, various workforce right here at Evolve North! We have now each locals from areas surrounding our Shepparton, Mt Gambier, and Geelong places of work, in addition to workforce members from South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Past espresso, our workforce has loads of extraordinary passions. We’re made up of musicians, mural artists, Pokemon card battlers, cat collectors, racing drivers, boxers, cricket tragics, soccer gamers, off-roaders, and possibly many extra hobbies which have but to come back up in dialog across the Moccamaster.
What do you take into account your most notable espresso achievements?
Evolve North has had fairly the journey over the previous few years. From profitable a single bronze medal within the Golden Bean 2023 Competitors, we reset and reentered the next yr within the 2024 competitors to gather 14 Medals — together with 3 silver medals — with Birds of a Feather taking out 2 Bronze and a Silver that yr. We’ve additionally had nice success in the latest Royal Adelaide Espresso Present accumulating a minimum of a bronze medal for each single one among our blends — together with our decaf!
THE COFFEE
Filter Espresso:
Single Origin – Kenyan
This month’s featured filter espresso has journeyed all the best way from the nutrient-rich volcanic highlands of Kenya. Hand-picked and thoughtfully processed, it delivers the area’s signature vibrant profile of acidic and fruity flavours. A posh roast that’s excellent for this summer time season.
Espresso Origins:
Kenya
Tasting Notes:
Notes of zesty citrus, juicy pink apple, and a signature burst of blackcurrant sweetness.
Urged Recipe for Filter:
Dose: 15g
Bloom: 50g for 30 seconds
Water: 250ml
Temp: 93–94°C
Time: 2:00–2:30
Ratio: 1:16
Espresso Espresso:
Birds of a Feather
Introducing your December go-to espresso roast, ‘Birds of a Feather’, crafted to be shared together with your flock. This espresso embodies all the pieces Evolve North stands for — dialog, connection, and the sense of neighborhood that espresso conjures up. An award-winning tribute to Africa’s espresso heritage, this mix is one you’ll wish to take pleasure in each single day.
Espresso Origin:
Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia
Tasting Notes:
Notes of blackcurrant and caramel, with delicate hints of earl gray and mandarin.
Urged Recipe for Espresso:
Dose: 22g
Yield: 33g
Time: 28–30 seconds
Ratio: 1:1.5
Temp: 96°C
