About Contraband
At Contraband we believe that great coffee is the amalgamation of science and passion. We never tire of learning and testing new ideas around the science of roasting and extraction, always on the hunt for new and exciting ways to expand our knowledge and challenge our understanding of coffee.
We are committed to designing high quality furniture
Equally important to the science behind the bean is our passion for coffee and cafe experience. We live and breathe coffee, and believe that the appreciation and enjoyment of our product, from crop to cup, brings out the exceptional results that scientific understanding alone cannot.
Every coffee we roast is individually batch roasted on our custom built Petroncini roaster. We believe that each coffee’s characteristics (physical, chemical and flavour) are unique, and so in order to bring out the best in every coffee, each is approached with it’s own specific roast profile.
This ensures that each coffees unique nuances can be brought to the fore, according to whichever brewing method is to be used. This process involves a great deal of trial and error (and caffeination!) when assessing new-season coffees, but we don’t mind!
Our values
We are acutely aware of how lucky we are to be able to build a life from the coffee industry in Australia. For this reason we always strive to source coffees that have been sustainably and ethically grown.
We purchase our coffee through importers who deal directly with farmers at origin, ensuring full traceability of the supply chain. Without the tireless work and expertise of the farmers at origin, we would not be able to bring you the incredible coffees we all enjoy.
SUSTAINABILITY
At Contraband sustainability drives everything we do. We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure we are not only providing you with the most delicious coffee we can, but also that we are treating our planet and our supply chain with respect.
TRAceability
We would not be able to enjoy the amazing coffee we can without the hard work and expertise of producers at origin. Every coffee we buy is fully traceable right back to the farm and/or processing co-operative that produced it.
quality
Traceability also informs our approach to quality. Every coffee we buy is specialty grade, including those used in our blends. We work with producers and importers who share our love for quality coffee and innovation. We are always looking for coffees that have something special or unique to offer, and love to share the journey with our community.
Originality
Being the first in Australia to move our entire roasting production to 100% electric has been an exciting experience. Without the need for combustion, our electric roasting system can be decarbonized, emitting nothing other than heat and water vapour.
innovation
Not only are we the first in Australia to eliminate carbon from our roasting and distribution through embracing state of the art electric technologies, we also champion innovation within the wider coffee community. We love working with producers who are doing exciting and innovative work, whether that be specific to the coffee they produce, or by empowering their communities and environments with positive change.
Decarbonise
From our use of curbside recyclable retail packaging, our 100% electric roastery, to our closed loop wholesale distribution and partnership with environmental enterprises like Reground, we are always striving to minimise our carbon footprint and impact on the environment. We only have one planet - let's look after it.
Frequently asked questions
Got questions? We've got answers! Dive into our FAQs for a thrill ride through all our most common queries.
When will I receive my order?
Online orders are shipped out from our roastery in Brunswick East. We endeavor to dispatch all orders within 48hrs of ordering. Orders are sent out via Australia Post, please allow 3-5 business days for delivery. You will receive tracking information via Australia Post once your order has been sent.
Do you do returns?
We do not offer returns for “change of mind” through our online store, however if your order has arrived incorrect or damaged please email us at contact@contrabandcoffeetraders.com and we will arrange a replacement.
Do you have an in-person showroom to see the products?
Yes! You can visit our roastery/cafe in Brunswick East, Melbourne and experience our products through our aroma table or by enjoying a coffee in house. We’re open 7 days a week.
Do you ship internationally?
We do not offer shipping internationally through our online store, however if you are after something specific please reach out to us at contact@contrabandcoffeetraders.com and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Can you grind the coffee for me?
Yes. You can select your required grind setting on the product page on our online store. If you have purchased coffee online or in-store and you require it ground, feel free to bring it back to either of our locations and we will happily grind it for you. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate grinding coffee from other coffee producers.
Do you do wholesale supply?
Absolutely! We love our extended Contraband family and are always happy to welcome newbies. If you have a cafe or business with dedication to quality and sustainability we’d love to hear from you. You can reach out via our wholesale page, or at wholesale@contrabandcoffeetraders.com