In this quick chat, Simon Gautherin spills the beans on his coffee secrets. He's Australia's Brewers Cup Champion, and he knows what works. From his travel setup to his water tricks, here's what makes his coffee so good.
Ever wondered what separates amazing coffee from your regular morning cup? It's not magic. It's the right tools, the right knowledge, and genuine passion. Simon's journey to becoming Australia's top coffee brewer gives us real insights we can use at home.
What's in a Champion's Travel Kit
Simon keeps his travel setup simple but smart. He only brings two essential pieces: a quality hand grinder and either a V60 or Pulsar dripper. That's it. Years of competition taught him that less is more when every piece needs to perform perfectly.
The NextLevel Pulsar costs about $139. This isn't your typical pour-over dripper. It has a clever valve system that lets you control water flow completely. Studies show it creates 23% more consistent extraction than regular drippers. That's a real difference you can taste.
Choosing the Right Hand Grinder
Great coffee starts with consistent grinding. Champions usually pick these models:
- Comandante C40 MK4
- 1Zpresso K-Ultra or J-Ultra
- All use high-nitrogen stainless steel burrs
- Price range: $189 to $300
Want champion quality without the big price tag? Try these options:
- 1Zpresso Q-Air ($159)
- Timemore C2 ($89)
Both give you consistent particle size. That consistency is what makes extraction work properly.
Water Quality: The Game Changer
Simon gets really excited about water quality. He should know - he co-founded APAX Lab mineral concentrates. These transform regular water into perfect brewing water.
Here's why this matters. Research shows proper minerals boost extraction by up to 27%. They also make flavours much clearer. The magic numbers are:
- 50-80 ppm calcium hardness
- 120-150 ppm total dissolved solids
APAX Lab's TONIK concentrate hits these targets perfectly. It uses precise amounts of magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate.
Simon's Competition Recipe
Want to brew like a champion? Here's Simon's exact method:
- Ratio: 14.5g coffee to 200g water (about 1:14)
- Grind size: 1000 microns (coarser than most people use)
- Water temp: 92-96°C
- Target extraction: 18-22%
- Two-pour technique for different extraction phases
Combined with the Pulsar's flow control, this hits the sweet spot for balanced flavour every time.
Coffee Selection: Origins That Win
Simon knows his coffee origins. His championship coffees included a Natural Geisha from Panama and a Washed Geisha from Colombia. These choices show real expertise in spotting exceptional quality.
Regions to Try
Simon recommends these origins for home brewers:
- Colombia: Amazing variety in processing methods
- Panama: Incredible quality and innovation
- Kenya: New processing methods creating unique flavours
- China: Hidden gems waiting to be discovered
These regions combine great terroir with innovative processing. That's where you find truly special coffees.
The Champion Mindset
Simon's approach goes beyond equipment. He values curiosity, travel, and paying attention to details. His favourite coffee spots are Beta Coffee in Sydney and Project Zero Coffee in Melbourne. Both share his commitment to excellence.
His most memorable cup happened at the World Brewers Cup finals in Jakarta. This shows that great coffee isn't just about gear. It's about experience, environment, and emotional connection too.
How to Brew Like a Champion at Home
Want to improve your coffee immediately? Simon says start with water quality first. Then invest in a good grinder. These two changes will transform your coffee more than any other upgrades.
The science of extraction backs this up. Proper water minerals and consistent grind size create the perfect conditions for amazing flavour development.
Start Your Coffee Journey Today
Simon's championship approach shows that great coffee comes from combining quality equipment, solid knowledge, and premium beans. You don't need to be a champion to brew amazing coffee at home. You just need the right foundation.
Ready to taste what champion-level coffee is all about? Check out our curated selection of championship-quality beans. We source from the same renowned origins that fuel Australia's coffee champions. Your journey to brewing perfection starts here.
Published by Joey Krosch
