10 Best Ground Coffees in Australia: 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

When it comes to coffee, there are so many ways to enjoy it. From instant to whole beans, there’s no wrong way to make your cup of joe. But when it comes to the best ground coffee, there can only be a few contenders.

We have scoured the internet and consulted with our resident coffee experts to bring you a list of the best ground coffees in Australia.

You can try these recipes without worry, knowing that hundreds, even thousands, of Australians have tried and positively reviewed them before you!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favourites (Updated in 2024)

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Grinders Coffee Crema Ground	Rainforest alliance certified Roasted and packaged in Australia Batch roasted beans	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Harris Smooth Ground Coffee	Roasted in Australia Affordable for the great quality Balanced and smooth flavours	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Taylors of Harrogate Lazy Sunday Ground Coffee	Delicate notes of chocolate and citrus Gentle on the stomach Inoffensive flavours	CHECK PRICE
		Eight O'Clock Ground Coffee Pumpkin Spice	Subtle spice flavours Brown sugar and sweet cream notes Heart-warming blend	CHECK PRICE
		McCafe Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee	Pleasant and light Toasty and warm flavours No bitterness	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Ground Coffees in Australia

1. Grinders Coffee Crema Ground – Best Overall

If you’re looking for the best overall ground coffee in Australia, look no further than Grinders Coffee Crema.

This Australian company only uses batch-roasted beans to ensure a consistent quality cup of coffee. The coffee is also Rainforest Alliance certified, so you can be confident that it was grown and harvested sustainably. Best of all, the coffee has a silky and creamy aftertaste that is simply sublime.

The only downside is that the mellow flavour may not be strong enough for some coffee drinkers. However, if you’re looking for a deliciously smooth cup of coffee, Grinders Coffee Crema is definitely worth trying.

2. Harris Smooth Ground Coffee – Best Value

Harris Smooth Ground Coffee is some of the best ground coffee you can get for the money.

The company was established in 1883, so they know a thing or two about coffee. The beans are roasted in Australia and have balanced, smooth flavours. Some people might find it slightly acidic, but others think it’s just right.

It’s affordable, too, which is great for something of this quality. The Harris Smooth Ground Coffee has a great aroma and is perfect for making coffees at home.

3. Taylors of Harrogate Lazy Sunday Ground Coffee – Premium Choice

Taylors of Harrogate Lazy Sunday Ground Coffee promises a delicate blend of chocolate and citrus notes that is gentle on the stomach. And it certainly delivers!

This coffee is perfect for pleasing all your guests, as the flavours are inoffensive and the coffee itself is quite mild. However, this also means that it lacks intensity. It’s also on the expensive side.

Overall, Taylors of Harrogate Lazy Sunday Ground Coffee is a great choice for those who want a gentle cup of coffee with subtle flavours. But if you’re looking for something with more punch, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

4. Eight O’Clock Ground Coffee Pumpkin Spice

Eight O’Clock Ground Coffee Pumpkin Spice is a heart-warming blend of subtle spice flavours, brown sugar, and sweet cream notes. It’s the perfect way to start your day or enjoy a cozy afternoon pick-me-up.

However, coffee purists may find the lack of aroma a bit off-putting. And not everyone enjoys the taste of pumpkin spice. But if you’re looking for a delicious way to get into the autumn spirit, Eight O’Clock Ground Coffee Pumpkin Spice is worth a try!

5. McCafe Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee

McCafe Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee is a light and pleasant coffee with toasty warm flavours. There is no bitterness, making it a great choice for those who are looking for an easy-drinking coffee.

However, some may find the coffee to be one-dimensional. Overall, McCafe Breakfast Blend Ground Coffee is a good choice for Mcdonald’s fans who are looking for a quick and easy cup of coffee.

6. Marley Coffee One Love

It’s not often that you come across a coffee that’s named after one of the most iconic musicians of all time, but Marley Coffee One Love Ground Coffee is definitely one of those coffees.

The coffee is made with 100% Ethiopian beans, which gives it a distinctive flavour that some people love, and others find a bit too complex. Undertones of berry come through in every sip.

The brand supports reforestation projects in Ethiopia, which helps to offset some of the environmental impacts of coffee production.

On the downside, the coffee isn’t for everyone—some people find the flavours too strong and overwhelming. But if you’re a fan of Bob Marley (or just good coffee), I think you’ll enjoy Marley Coffee One Love Ground Coffee.

7. Barnie’s Cool Café Blues Ground Coffee

If you’re in the mood for a cup of coffee that tastes like a cinnamon bun soaked in caramel, then Barnie’s Cool Café Blues is the brew for you! This highly aromatic coffee has strong notes of pecans and maple, with just the right amount of sweetness.

It’s definitely not your average cup of joe; but then again, Barnie’s is known for their unusual flavour combinations. While some people love the distinctive taste of this coffee, others find it too sweet or artificial tasting.

Personally, we think it’s worth trying if you’re looking for something a little different. But be warned: once you start drinking Barnie’s Cool Café Blues, you may never go back to plain old regular coffee again!

8. Byron Bay Coffee Company Certified Organic Espresso Ground

If you’re in the market for a good Australian espresso, Byron Bay Coffee Company’s Certified Organic Espresso Ground is a great option. The coffee is organic and fair trade, and it has a nice balance of strength and taste.

The only downside is that it’s for espresso use only – but that’s not really a bad thing, is it? Overall, we highly recommend this coffee if you’re looking for a delicious and ethical cup of joe.

9. New England Coffee Hazelnut Crème Medium Roast

If you’re a fan of hazelnut-flavored coffee, you’ll want to try New England Coffee Hazelnut Crème Medium Roast ground coffee. This coffee is small-batch roasted for optimal flavor and aroma, and the creamy hazelnut notes are simply delicious.

The coffee is also made with 100% Arabica beans, which are known for their superior flavor and quality. However, some reviewers find that the flavoring tastes artificial, so it’s worth trying a cup before you commit to a whole bag. Overall, New England Coffee Hazelnut Crème Medium Roast ground coffee is a delicious choice for hazelnut lovers.

10. Cameron’s Coffee Roasted Sea Salt Caramel

If you’re a fan of sweet and salty combinations, you’ll love Cameron’s Coffee Roasted Sea Salt Caramel ground coffee. The rich and flavourful coffee has just the right amount of sweetness from the caramel with a hint of saltiness that comes through.

It’s a unique taste that not everyone may be accustomed to, but those who will find it quite pleasing. Just be warned, if you don’t like your coffee on the sweeter side, this one may not be for you.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Ground Coffee in Australia

Choosing Your Perfect Ground Coffee

Bean Type

The first thing you need to consider when choosing your ground coffee is the type of bean. The two most common types of beans are Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica beans are known for their superior flavor, while Robusta beans are higher in caffeine. If you’re looking for the best possible flavor, go with an Arabica bean.

But if you’re looking for a more energizing cup of coffee, go with Robusta.

Roast

The next thing to consider is the roast level. The three most common roast levels are light, medium, and dark.

Light roast coffees are lighter in body and have more acidity. Medium roast coffees are well-balanced, while dark roast coffees are richer and have less acidity.

It really comes down to personal preference, so try a few different types to see what you like best.

Origin

The last thing to consider is the origin of the beans. Coffee beans are grown all over the world, from Central and South America to Africa and Asia.

Each region has its own unique climate and soil, which gives the coffee beans a distinct flavor.

So, if you’re looking for a specific flavor profile, be sure to choose a coffee that’s from the region you’re looking for.

Origin can also be coined as ‘single’ or ‘blend’. Single-origin coffees are exactly what they sound like—coffee that comes from a single country.

This means that all the beans in the bag come from the same place.

Blends, on the other hand, are a mix of beans from different countries. This is usually done to create a more well-rounded flavor.

Brand Ethics

When it comes to coffee, there are a lot of different brands to choose from. But not all brands are created equal.

Some brands use sustainable practices, while others do not. Some brands pay their workers a fair wage, while others do not.

So, when you’re choosing a brand, it’s important to consider the company’s ethics.

Do they use sustainable practices? Do they pay their workers a fair wage? These are important things to consider when choosing a brand.

Is Ground Coffee the Same as Instant Coffee?

No, ground coffee is not the same as instant coffee. Instant coffee is made by adding hot water to dried coffee extract.

This extract is then freeze-dried or dehydrated, which makes it easy to store and reconstitute with hot water.

Ground coffee, on the other hand, is made by grinding whole coffee

Ground coffee needs to be brewed while instant coffee does not. So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy cup of coffee, instant is the way to go.

But if you’re looking for the best possible flavor, ground coffee is the way to go.

• See also: 10 Best Decaf Coffees in Australia

Ground Coffee Brewing Methods

Pour-over

The pour-over method is a manual brewing method that’s simple and easy to do. All you need is a filter, ground coffee, and hot water.

To brew, simply place the filter in your pour-over device and add the ground coffee. Then, slowly pour hot water over the grounds, being careful not to over-saturate them.

Once all the water has been added, let the coffee steep for 3–4 minutes before enjoying.

French Press

The French press coffee system is a popular way to make coffee, and it’s also one of the simplest.

The French press works by steeping the ground coffee in hot water and then pressing the plunger down to filter the coffee. This method extracts more oils and flavors from the coffee than other methods, resulting in a richer cup of coffee.

It’s also important to note that the French press doesn’t require any paper filters, so it’s a more environmentally friendly option.

Drip

The drip process is simple: hot water is poured over coffee grounds, and the resulting brew is collected in a pot or carafe. This method can be used with a wide variety of coffee makers, from simple pour-over setups to more complex machines with built-in filters and heated water reservoirs.

Drip brewing produces a clean, rich-tasting cup of coffee, and it can be easily adjusted to accommodate different grind sizes, water temperatures, and coffee-to-water ratios. With a little practice, anyone can produce an excellent cup of drip coffee at home.

Espresso

Espresso is a type of coffee that is brewed under pressure using finely ground coffee beans.

Espresso machines work by forcing hot water through the coffee grounds at high pressure. This extraction process produces a rich, concentrated coffee that is full of flavor.

Espresso is typically served in small cups, and it can be enjoyed on its own or used as the base for other coffee drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes.

Cold Brew

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for 12 hours or more. The resulting coffee concentrate is then mixed with water and milk or can be enjoyed on its own over ice.

Because cold brew coffee is never heated, it has a smoother taste than traditionally brewed coffee. Additionally, the lower acidity level of cold brew coffee makes it easier on the stomach for those who are sensitive to acids.

Conclusion

There are many different types of coffee, and each one has its own unique flavor profile.

When choosing a type of coffee to drink, it’s important to consider your personal preferences. Do you like your coffee bold or mellow? Rich or light? With or without milk? These are all important factors to consider when choosing a type of coffee.

Our top pick for a great all-rounder, sure to please the masses is Grinders Coffee Crema Coffee. It’s roasted medium, giving it a nice balance of flavor without being too strong.

For the best value, we liked Harris Smooth Roast Coffee. It’s a budget-friendly coffee that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

See Also: 10 Best Coffee Grinders in Australia: Reviews & Top Picks

Featured Image Credit: Didi, Pexels