Coffee Presto is a leading coffee roasting business based here in Townsville. Founded by Luke and his wife Kristy-Lee (KL), the company has quickly established itself as a premium roaster, winning prestigious awards for its exceptional coffee blends.
In 2024, Luke entered the Golden Bean Roasting Championships, the largest roasting competition in the world. Incredibly, the Presto Primo and Forte blends both won bronze medals, while their Presto Zero decaf blend took top honours, receiving the coveted gold medal – all within 12 months of opening their doors (and within 6 months of trying their hand at decaf!). This impressive feat showcases Coffee Presto’s commitment to quality and their ability to compete at the highest level of the industry.
AN END TO END COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Coffee Presto has made sustainability and energy efficiency a top priority in its operations. The company has implemented several innovative solutions to reduce its environmental impact and improve its overall efficiency.
Their latest key initiative is the Vortex Klean Air system used in the roasting emission process. Instead of using traditional afterburners that require significant energy to operate, Coffee Presto has partnered with engineers to develop a system that passes the hot air and organic particulates from the roasting process through a pressurised vortex of water, trapping the coffee husks and other byproducts. The resulting clean, cooled air is then released, reducing Presto’s carbon emissions by an impressive 80%.
These captured coffee husks are not simply discarded either, but rather repurposed as a nutrient-rich soil enhancer for Presto’s gardens. This circular approach ensures the company is maximising the use of its resources and minimising waste.
In addition to revolutionising the roasting process, Coffee Presto also focused on improving the overall energy efficiency of its facilities. SuperGreen Solutions installed a 39-kilowatt solar system with a hybrid inverter, allowing Coffee Presto to power everyday operations without drawing from the grid.
Luke had these kind words to say about the SuperGreen installation team:
“This is my third installation with SuperGreen. I love that they’re big picture thinkers. They helped me plan and construct a system that can scale and expand as we need to. And the team is top notch. They were considerate and courteous, and were able to work without interfering with our daily operations.”
And it doesn’t end there. Coffee Presto is also exploring the use of battery storage and battery-powered delivery vehicles, charged from the onsite EV charger that Luke and KL kindly offer for free to customers who visit their bustling Espresso Bar.
Beyond the technical aspects of its operations, Coffee Presto also makes sustainability a key part of their product offerings. They source compostable cups and lids from local suppliers, and produce their own syrups and other complementary products in-house packaged in Australian made recycled glass that further eliminates single use plastic packaging. As an entrenched wholesaler, these products are made available to local cafes and retail connoisseurs to further reduce the carbon footprints of both Coffee Presto and their customers.
Luke and KL’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency has not gone unnoticed. Their innovative approach to reducing its environmental impact has earned them recognition and support from state government grant programs.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR COFFEE PRESTO?
In addition to their roasting operations, Coffee Presto offer comprehensive training programs for aspiring baristas. These courses provide hands-on experience using the same equipment and techniques employed in the roastery, ensuring participants receive a well-rounded education in the art of coffee making, while also getting a feel for what it’s like working in a busy Espresso Bar.
Luke is also putting the final touches on a program to collect the coffee bean waste from cafes around town and, in partnership with Atlas Soils, convert this waste into a nutrient rich soil additive to be made available for aspiring gardeners.
With their award-winning products, innovative sustainability practices, and comprehensive training programs, Presto has firmly established itself as a leader in the Australian coffee industry. Their dedication to quality, efficiency, and environmental responsibility has earned them a loyal following among coffee enthusiasts and businesses from across the country.