Australian coffee champion Jack Simpson spills the beans on his caffeine habits

Coffee prices may soon hit sky-high prices, but Australia’s best barista says that’s the price we’ll have to pay for a quality pour.

Australia’s best barista says Melburnians could soon have to fork out $6 for a coffee — but that’s the price you have to pay for a quality pour.

Melbourne’s two-time national barista champion Jack Simpson said the high prices may be an eventual reality if the cost of “green”, or unroasted, beans continue to rise.

But Simpson, who holds the title of world’s third-best barista, said the pay-off was worth it as you can’t put a price on quality.

“It’s really hard to say. Eventually, yes, we may see that as the green prices have been going up a lot. Speciality coffee beans are grown 1600-1700 above sea level and if there’s a shift in climate that’ll impact production,” he said.

Though Simpson said Melbourne’s daily coffee habit may be key to keeping prices affordable.

“I was living in Canada and the price of a regular speciality coffee is around $6-7,” he said.

“But I think people in Australia are accustomed to buying coffee every morning, where in other places, it’s a special treat. We have a very different market.”

Jack Simpson from Axil Coffee in Hawthorn has just been named Australia’s two-time barista champion. Picture: Jason Edwards

Simpson also thinks Melbourne’s obsession with speciality coffee had lifted the standard of the product citywide, especially in chains such as McDonalds or Gloria Jeans.

“When I first tasted (Maccas coffee) it wasn’t what I was used to, but I can appreciate it. It’s not bad,” he said.

“From my limited experience drinking this type of coffee, the standard is lifting with some of these chains and brands.”

Simpson was recently crowned the Australian Barista Champion at the ASCA National Coffee Championships for the second consecutive year.

He’ll now compete in the World Barista Championships, trying to better his 2023 third-place rank, in May.

Simpson spilt the beans on his crazy coffee habits, tasting up to 40 brews a day to prepare his fight for the world title.

“As part of the prep, I’m tasting everyday. It’s like wine tasting. I sip and spit out the coffee — tasting up to 40 a day — and as I consume a lot of caffeine by default,” he said.

Although outside of work, his caffeine consumption is more conservative.

“I only drink one coffee a day,” the Axil Coffee whiz revealed.

“I like filter coffee or espresso, but that’s so hard to get right. I try and keep it to one, sometimes two. It affects my sleep too much.”

Simpson will represent Australia at the World Barista Championship in Busan, South Korea, from May 1-4.