Learn
Our story, our craft,
our community.
From the Hornsby roastery to your cup, discover the people, the process, and the passion behind every bag of Withams Coffee.
Our Story
Born into Coffee. Roasting Since Before You Were Ordering Oat Lattes.
Lance Witham didn't choose coffee, he was born into it. Literally. Growing up on his family's coffee farm in Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands, his childhood was spent climbing tea chests, exploring plantations, and absorbing an industry that would become his life's work.
After moving to Australia in 1983, Lance worked his way through coffee farms in Far North Queensland before landing at a boutique Sydney roaster, where he learned the craft from the ground up. On 24 February 1995, Witham's Coffee opened its doors, with the very first sale being, of all things, a hot chocolate.
Thirty years later, Witham's is a Hornsby institution: a roastery, espresso bar, and showroom where you can watch your coffee being roasted while you drink it. But what really sets them apart happens behind the scenes.
Every order is roasted fresh, to order, the same day. There's a 10:30am cut-off and delivery within 24 hours, meaning café customers always receive coffee between three and ten days from roast. No sitting in a warehouse. No guessing games.
Lance has been in the trenches himself, running a tiny café with a roaster in the corner and working seven days a week for twelve years. That experience shapes everything about how Witham's works with its customers: no minimum order quantities, flexible buying patterns, and a personal call-sheet system.
"Fresh coffee, consistently delivered, with the kind of service that still drives to Bowral on a Sunday if that's what it takes. That's been the point of difference for 30 years. It'll be the point of difference for the next 30, too."
Coffee Stories
From the Roastery, to You.
We stock and supply commercial espresso machines from the world's leading manufacturers, suitable for busy cafés, restaurants, and passionate home baristas alike.
Organic Colombian Coffee Beans: Why Excelso Reigns Supreme
For many, finding the perfect coffee beans is an elusive task. After all, there are an incredible amount of choices in the marketplace, and how do you really know when you have found the right coffee? The one that has that perfect, silky smooth taste and that richness of smell?
How to Make a Cold Brew
With over 400 billion cups served every year, coffee has become the most popular beverage in the world. The variety of coffee blends and
Now that the warmer months are ahead of us why not try a refreshing Iced Coffee
Take ¼ cup of Witham’s freshly brewed coffee, let it cool, add sugar, and cold milk then throw some ice cubes on top for a refreshing drink. Or for a special treat, use a large spoonful of vanilla ice-cream on top.
Barista Training
Learn from the People Behind the Beans.
Whether you are new to espresso or looking to sharpen your skills, our barista training program is designed to build confidence and consistency behind the machine. Available for wholesale accounts and individuals.
Group and One on One Sessions
Tailored training for individuals, café staff, and corporate teams.
From dialling in your grind to pouring latte art, we cover it all.
Included with Wholesale Accounts
All wholesale partners receive barista training as part of their account setup.
At Our Hornsby Roastery
Training sessions held at our Hornsby facility or on-site at your venue.
Withams on the Move
Specialty Coffee, Wherever You Are.
The Withams coffee trailer brings our specialty roasts to events, markets, corporate functions and private gatherings across Sydney and NSW. Same quality, same care, just mobile.
- Corporate events and private functions
- Markets and community events
- Available across Sydney and NSW
- Fully equipped specialty coffee setup
