History Timeline

Espresso Essential coffee system launched by New Zealand founders

Espresso Essential coffee commenced in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Espresso Essential becomes one of New Zealand’s largest coffee machine and specialty coffee companies

Espresso Essential first recognised in the BRW Fastest Growing Franchise — “BRW Fast 100 Awards”

Espresso Essential recognised in the BRW Fastest Growing Franchise — “BRW Fast 100 Awards” for the second year.

Builds state of the art air Roaster with larger capacity to roast premium coffee blends for distribution nationally and internationally.

Espresso Brands Group’s three main beverage lines of Automatic Coffee, Barista Coffee and Slush relaunched as the “I Luv…” range. Expands with full Barista range from French supplier Reneka. Expands into Singapore, Philippines and Papua New Guinea

Espresso Essential recognised in the BRW Fastest Growing Franchise — “BRW Fast 100 Awards” for the third, fourth and fifth years consecutively.

Implements new systems to enhance customer management and provide excellence in customer service

The company is acquired by a private consortium directed by Auckland born, James Cook. The business is renamed Essential Coffee Group with banner brand Essential Coffee

Invests in growth and expansion of Essential Coffee New Zealand

Essential Coffee’s Reneka range is expanded by launching new Reneka Latte Art Technology.

Atomic, the smoothest of Essential Coffee’s dark roasts, is awarded a Bronze Medal in the Milk Based Espresso category at the Golden Bean Awards Austalia/New Zealand 2019, the world’s largest coffee roasting competition. 

Industrial compostable coffee cups are introduced.

New Italian handmade and designed La Roccia and Piccolo Roccia ranges are introduced to Essential Coffee’s barista coffee machine range.

Compostable slush cups replace plastic slush cups.

Home compostable coffee cups are introduced to conform to AS5810 home compostable standards and align with Essential Coffee’s environmental ethos. These Aqueous cups are made using a unique water-based dispersion coating, which reduces the amount of material needed while providing the same leak and grease-proof benefits as other coatings.