Coffee series: Defenders Reserve

About: Through our Defenders Reserve coffee we honour the courageous men and women who defend Australia and our national interests in times of war and conflict (more below). 

Tasting notes: This coffee comes from villages across the Okapa region in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The coffee in this region grows wild without any pesticides or fertilisers. The families of these villages hand pick the coffee which is then triple hand sorted for screen size consistency. Roasted for espresso, expect classic and rich flavours of dark chocolate and vanilla with a sweet golden raisin finish.

Origin: Okapa, Papua New Guinea

Tasting: Cocoa, golden raisins, maple

Strength: Medium

More details:

Sir John Monash, a civil engineer, became Australia's greatest military leader during World War I. His innovative strategies at the Battle of Hamel and the victory at Amiens led to the collapse of the German front, hastening the war’s end. Monash also championed veterans' rights, helping establish the Returned Services League.

John Simpson Kirkpatrick, "The Man with the Donkey," embodied the Anzac spirit at Gallipoli. As a stretcher bearer, he used donkeys to transport wounded soldiers through heavy fire, saving many lives before being killed in action. His bravery symbolizes the enduring heroism of the Anzacs.

Captain Hector Waller, a distinguished naval officer in World War II, commanded the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla and later HMAS Perth in the Pacific. His fearless leadership in the Battle of the Java Sea earned him deep respect and a posthumous US Navy Cross.

Clive Caldwell, Australia’s top fighter ace, achieved 28.5 victories during World War II. Known for his aggressive flying and tactical innovation in North Africa and the Pacific, Caldwell became a celebrated figure in Australian military aviation.