Trifle: A festive favourite coffee returns

Each year, as the festive season approaches, ONA Coffee’s roastery takes on a special kind of energy. It’s when the team begins creating something playful, nostalgic, and delicious – a coffee that captures the feeling of celebration in a cup. This year, we’re bringing back a beloved holiday classic: Trifle.

Originally released for the holiday period in 2024, Trifle quickly became one of ONA Coffee’s most talked-about seasonal blends. Inspired by the layered, creamy dessert it’s named after, Trifle balances sweetness, fruit and richness in perfect harmony – a festive coffee that is designed for preparation as a milk coffee.

“Trifle has always been about that feeling of indulgence and nostalgia,” says Danny Wilson, Head Roaster of ONA Coffee.

“It’s a coffee that reminds Australians of summer gatherings, family desserts and long afternoons spent together. We wanted to recreate that nostalgia in a way that still feels exciting and modern.”

A blend built for celebration

This year’s version of Trifle is built from six unique single origins, each contributing to its rich, dessert-like profile. Together, they create layers of flavour that unfold beautifully from first sip to sip.

“We wanted to build a coffee that’s fun, but still technically complex,” explains Jack Mann, ONA Coffee Production Roaster. 

“Each component plays a role: some add structure and sweetness, while others bring those bright, fruity top notes that make Trifle so distinctive.”

One of the six components of this blend is a Liberica coffee from Fiji, one of the first harvested from our ongoing project in the western Ra Province. This project is helping to unlock the latent potential of wild-grown Liberica on the islands, while also investing in local farmers, nurseries and infrastructure for future economic growth.

By introducing this Liberica from Fiji into the blend, we’re adding not only another intriguing non-Arabica species from a less-celebrated coffee origin, but also a layer of ripe, textured sweetness and intensity that complements both the depth and brightness in the blend.

The blend combines:

• 10% Narikoso Lot 8, Fiji, (Liberica, Natural) – adding complexity, rich body and rich fruit intensity.
  
  
• 10% My Liberica, Malaysia (Liberica) – delivering depth, body, and custard-like creaminess.
  
  
• 20% Thageini Karibu, Kenya (Supernatural, SL28/SL34) – adding bright berry and brandy-like tones, without the alcohol.
  
  
• 20% Uraga Seattle, Ethiopia (Supernatural, Heirloom) – bringing vibrant stone-fruit sweetness.
  
  
• 20% Hambela G3, Ethiopia (Natural, Heirloom) – lending layers of ripe fruit and honeyed flavour.
  
  
• 20% Limu G2, Ethiopia (Washed, Heirloom) – tying it all together with balance and clarity.
  

The result is a cup that’s both nostalgic and complex: notes of vanilla custard, brandy (0% alcohol) and baked stone fruit come together in a smooth, layered finish.

“Trifle really shines when prepared as a milk coffee,” Jack adds. “That’s where you get the creamy vanilla and brandy sweetness coming through. 

The taste of summer nostalgia

For the ONA Coffee team, bringing back Trifle isn’t just about reviving an old favourite – it’s about sharing a feeling that celebrates memories and family over the holiday season. 

“It’s one of those blends that brings a smile to people’s faces,” Danny says. “There’s something familiar and comforting about it, but it’s also full of surprises. Every sip reveals a new layer, just like the dessert itself”.

From its playful name to its balanced, festive flavour profile, Trifle captures what the holidays mean at ONA Coffee: creativity, warmth, and community. Whether you’re brewing it at home, gifting it to a friend, or serving it at the table after Christmas lunch, Trifle is a reminder that coffee can be both delicious and joyful.

Available for a limited time, Trifle is roasted fresh at ONA Coffee’s Canberra roastery and available online and in selected partner venues throughout the holiday season.