Pioneering Australian Coffee: Jack Murat Farm

Earlier this week, Simon and Julijan from our team returned to the Jack Murat farm to explore the latest developments. It’s been three years since our last visit, so there was much to catch up on. We’re thrilled to share the significant changes and progress we’ve witnessed.

A Brief History

Jack Murat is an Australian coffee farm situated in Arriga, a quaint town approximately 70km from Cairns City in Northern Queensland, at an altitude of approximately 700 meters above sea level. Although the Murat family began cultivating coffee on their land in 2014, their farming heritage in the area spans nearly a century. This legacy started in 1929 when Hymet Murat, a 16-year-old immigrant seeking a better life, arrived in Australia. Locals found his name a little tricky to pronounce and affectionately nicknamed him Jack. Starting as a woodchopper, Jack eventually acquired land and became a key figure in the development of the region’s early agricultural industry.

This pioneering spirit still thrives today, where the Murat family continues to farm on the same land, cultivating various crops as well as raising cattle. Over the past decade, they embarked on a new journey in the cultivation of coffee and have made significant strides, earning them a revered reputation. Today, the Jack Murat name has become synonymous with quality and excellence, a testament to the family’s deep-rooted commitment and extensive agricultural expertise.

Following our recent Instagram AMA (Ask Me Anything) about the farm, we’re excited to share with you their latest developments and how Jack Murat is continually pioneering Australian Coffee!

What Varieties Do They Grow at Jack Murat?

Currently, Jack Murat is commercially producing Red and Yellow Catuai varieties. Catuai, first developed in Brazil around 40 years ago, is a hybrid of Caturra and Mundo Novo. Early adaptability tests in Australia during the 1980s identified Catuai as one of the most successful varieties for Australian soil. This has proven true at Jack Murat, where over 70 hectares are dedicated to cultivating Catuai, showcasing the plants’ remarkable productivity.

Ever the innovators, Jack Murat has recently introduced new varieties currently thriving in their nursery. These new varieties are expected to reach maturity in approximately three years, at which point their viability can be assessed. Some of the promising new varieties being experimented with include Marsellesa and IPR-107. We are eagerly anticipating their potential.

How Do They Harvest Coffee?

Jack Murat benefits from mostly flat land- just like in Brazil, allowing them to use mechanical harvesters. These harvesters are much more efficient at collecting cherries from branches, significantly reducing the high labour costs associated with manual handpicking in Australia.

As with any mechanical harvesting, the process collects all cherries from the branch, including some that may not be fully ripe or even overripe. To address this, Jack Murat has recently installed mechanical cherry colour sorters that can precisely separate cherries based on their colour. This innovation was one of the remarkable advancements we witnessed during our visit.

Jack Murat is among the first coffee producers in the world to implement such cutting-edge technology, and we are eagerly anticipating the improved quality that will result from this advancement.

How do they process coffee?

The primary method of coffee processing at Jack Murat is washed, with all drying performed mechanically. This ensures consistency and repeatability. Coffee is then stored in parchment for up to two months, prior to being hulled. They also recently introduced a new series of experimental lots which they’ve aptly named their Left-Field series. This year, they showcased a controlled washed coffee, inoculated with yeast and fermented over a period of 64 hours.

During our visit, we had the pleasure of tasting some of Sergio’s experimental lots, including 6-day mossto fermentations as both a honey and natural. The results were very promising, the best Jack Murat coffee we’ve tasted to date. As we were leaving, they had just completed the installation of a new 3-tonne fermentation tank, which they hope to have operational before the end of the harvest in August.

We were very impressed by their meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to improving the quality of their coffee. Coupled with their new mechanical cherry colour sorters, we are eagerly anticipating the enhanced quality these new technologies will bring.

What’s New at Jack Murat?

There are many exciting developments at Jack Murat. Since our last visit three years ago, they have made significant investments in agronomy, soil management, sustainability, marketing, and processing.

They have purchased additional mechanical dryers and harvesters, enabling them to meet the high demand from both the local Australian and international markets. They have also added a roasting facility and implemented new branding, allowing them to supply cafes with roasted beans. There are even plans for a Jack Murat café in the works!

Jack Murat, the youngest grandson named after Hymet Murat, has recently begun conducting analyses of soil, nutrition, and carbohydrate consumption to better understand optimal growing conditions for their coffee plants.

Dr. Fawad Ali of Griffith University is conducting nitrogen tests on various plots of land and assisting with experimental processing.

Additionally, Jack Murat is growing new coffee varieties that are currently thriving in their nursery. We eagerly await news of their viability.

There is so much to be excited about!

Why is Jack Murat a good place to grow coffee?

Situated 17° south of the equator and 700 meters above sea level, Jack Murat farm experiences median temperatures ranging from 17°C to 29°C, which fosters the desired slow maturation of coffee cherries. It receives an annual rainfall of approximately 800mm, primarily during the summer and, crucially, outside of the winter harvest season.

How is Jack Murat coffee priced?

Due to the low supply and high demand for Australian-grown coffee, pricing does not strictly adhere to the C market. Additionally, Australia’s higher labour costs allow Jack Murat to sell their coffee at a premium price, reflecting both the quality of their coffee and the effort involved in its production. Consequently, the price of green coffee is expected to range from $25 to $40 per kilogram, depending on the quality.

When Will Zest Have Some Available?

At Zest, we pride ourselves on showcasing exceptional and rare coffee, so you can expect to see Jack Murat coffee in our lineup soon. We eagerly anticipate another successful harvest and can’t wait to get our hands on their new lots towards October and November. Stay tuned; we’ll keep you updated on availability!