December 01, 2025
Get excited! This month, we’re introducing you to our friends at Evolve North. With three solar-powered facilities and a reputation for crafting award-winning coffee across Australia, these legends are setting the bar high for what a roaster can be — and we’re here for every sip this December.
Evolve North’s story began more than four decades ago with humble beginnings like many great success stories — with one man, a van, a shed, and a vision for sharing exceptional coffee. Since then, they’ve grown from their Shepparton headquarters to branches in Geelong and Mount Gambier, transforming their passion for quality coffee into something much greater. Having long mastered the art of premium roasting, the team has set out to redefine the connection between roaster and consumer. From guiding cafés on brewing and business, to teaching customers the craft of latte artistry and home brewing, to constantly exploring new ways to make their operations more sustainable and progressive, Evolve North pours their heart and soul into everything they do — and it shows in every roast they craft.
THE INTERVIEW
This month, we sat down with Evolve North’s Head of Coffee, Daniel Shadbolt, to talk about how he found his way into the world of coffee, the award-winning path Evolve North has taken, and where you’ll likely spot his team when the weekend rolls around.
Tell us about you. What’s your coffee background?
Being Head of Coffee at Evolve North, my focus is all about quality without compromise — from green sourcing and profiling through to consistency in every roast. It’s about pushing standards and making sure every cup we produce reflects the care, quality and intent behind it.
Coffee quickly became not just a career but a passion — I love the craft, the sensory side, and the constant learning that comes with roasting. I’ve been roasting for over a decade now. I’ve been a Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) Q-Grader since 2016 and recently transitioned into the new Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Evolved Q system. Competitions have played a big role in my coffee journey. I placed 3rd in the 2019 Australian Coffee Roasting Competition, made the finals again in 2020 before COVID put things on hold, and went on to take 1st place in 2022. That same year, I had the honour of representing Australia at the World Coffee Roasting Championship. More recently, I placed 5th in 2024. I have also competed — and head judged — at the Golden Bean Coffee Roasting Competition.
Where did the name, Evolve North come from?
When we decided on our new name, we surveyed customers, suppliers, staff, and prospective customers about why they work with us and what makes us different. The overwhelming pattern in the responses: we’re always evolving or trying something new, and it’s always with intent and specific goals in mind. Evolve North means making progress, but not just for change’s sake.
How do you source your coffee beans and what do you look for in the beans you use?
When sourcing coffee, our commitment to quality begins at origin. We carefully select exceptional beans from regions celebrated for their ideal coffee-growing conditions, with a focus exclusively on Specialty Coffee. Beyond quality, we take our responsibility to the planet and the people who cultivate our coffee seriously. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do — from supporting fair and ethical trade to championing environmentally responsible farming practices. Our goal is to reduce our environmental impact and help secure a sustainable future for coffee-growing communities around the world.
What are you looking forward to in the coffee industry at the moment? Any cool trends we should keep our eye on?
Right now, I’m really excited about how technology is reshaping how people experience coffee — from smart home brewers that make café-quality cups at home to the rise of ready-to-drink (RTD) formats that bring specialty coffee into new, convenient spaces.
On the sourcing side, there’s a renewed focus on specialty and single-origin coffees with unique processing methods that showcase the diversity and craft behind each region. It’s not just about great flavour anymore — it’s about curiosity, discovery, and celebrating what makes each coffee distinct.
I’m also inspired by how storytelling continues to connect people to their cup. Sharing the journey — from farm to roaster to café — helps build a sense of community and appreciation for the work that goes into every bean.
At the same time, we’re all navigating supply chain and cost pressures together as an industry. It’s encouraging to see how collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to quality are helping us adapt while keeping the passion for great coffee alive.
What are your team’s passions outside of coffee? Where might we find you on a Saturday evening?
We’re a large, diverse team here at Evolve North! We have both locals from areas surrounding our Shepparton, Mt Gambier, and Geelong offices, as well as team members from South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Beyond coffee, our team has a lot of weird and wonderful passions. We’re made up of musicians, mural artists, Pokemon card battlers, cat collectors, racing drivers, boxers, cricket tragics, soccer players, off-roaders, and probably many more hobbies that have yet to come up in conversation around the Moccamaster.
What do you consider your most notable coffee achievements?
Evolve North has had quite the journey over the past few years. From winning a single bronze medal in the Golden Bean 2023 Competition, we reset and reentered the following year in the 2024 competition to collect 14 Medals — including 3 silver medals — with Birds of a Feather taking out 2 Bronze and a Silver that year. We’ve also had great success in the most recent Royal Adelaide Coffee Show collecting at least a bronze medal for every single one of our blends — including our decaf!
THE COFFEE
Filter Coffee:
Single Origin - Kenya
This month’s featured filter coffee has journeyed all the way from the nutrient-rich volcanic highlands of Kenya. Hand-picked and thoughtfully processed, it delivers the region’s signature vibrant profile of acidic and fruity flavours. A complex roast that’s perfect for this summer season.
Coffee Origins:
Kenya
Tasting Notes:
Notes of zesty citrus, juicy red apple, and a signature burst of blackcurrant sweetness.
Suggested Recipe for Filter:
Dose: 15g
Bloom: 50g for 30 seconds
Water: 250ml
Temp: 93–94°C
Time: 2:00–2:30
Ratio: 1:16
Espresso Coffee:
Birds of a Feather
Introducing your December go-to espresso roast, ‘Birds of a Feather’, crafted to be shared with your flock. This coffee embodies everything Evolve North stands for — conversation, connection, and the sense of community that coffee inspires. An award-winning tribute to Africa’s coffee heritage, this blend is one you’ll want to enjoy every single day.
Coffee Origin:
Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia
Tasting Notes:
Notes of blackcurrant and caramel, with delicate hints of earl grey and mandarin.
Suggested Recipe for Espresso:
Dose: 22g
Yield: 33g
Time: 28–30 seconds
Ratio: 1:1.5
Temp: 96°C