Phillip Di Bella, dubbed the “Coffee King of Australia”, has introduced his Di Bella Coffee in the Philippines through an exclusive partnership with The Cravings Group.

The partnership makes The Cravings Group the exclusive distributor of Di Bella in the country and the coffee company the exclusive supplier of the group’s bean requirements.

Through the group’s restaurants — Cravings, Epicurious, Lucia Ristorante, Lombardi’s, C2 Classic Cuisine, B&P, The Blackboard by Chef Michel, and The Coffee Beanery — customers may now indulge themselves with the specialty coffee lines of Di Bella Coffee.

Good rapport with the farmers, fine coffee beans, and excellent baristas are the key elements in making the ideal cup, said the owner of Di Bella during a press launch on October 28.

To get the hearts of the locals, Di Bella said his company adjusts their coffee blends in accordance with their customers’ culture, making it different from other coffee brands in the world. For the Philippines, Di Bella will introduce sweeter and softer blends that would partner well with milk.

The partnership will also highlight the “crop to cup” philosophy, which “focuses on building skills locally, providing job security and growth opportunities for local workers, upholding ethical practices and encouraging sustainable farming,” said Di Bella. “The initiatives that the program supports will not only improve the quality of green beans, but the quality of life for those who produce them.”

“With this partnership, the Philippine coffee industry also stands to gain so much. Di Bella is very intent in supporting The Cravings Group educate and train local farmers with ethical, sustainable coffee bean-growing practices. By learning and adapting such renowned leadership, excellence and expertise, Filipino coffee farmers will have the opportunity to learn and eventually harvest the best-quality, locally-grown beans which in turn give Filipinos the best cup experience,” said Marinela Trinidad, CEO of The Cravings Group.

Mikee Pascual, junior reporter, contributed to this article.