It’s no shock that Fellow Merchandise has a powerful presence at this weekend’s Specialty Espresso Affiliation (SCA) Expo in Houston, Texas, showcasing their full lineup of design-forward espresso gear. The centerpiece of their exhibit this 12 months is the newly introduced Espresso Sequence 1, a machine that goals to ship a top-tier dwelling espresso expertise for a variety of customers, from full newbies to skilled baristas. To enchantment to such a broad demographic, Fellow has thoughtfully built-in options that cater to each ends of the spectrum.

For espresso newbies, the Sequence 1 is designed to be almost plug-and-play, requiring minimal setup proper out of the field. One of the crucial difficult points for newbies is studying how you can correctly dial in a shot. To assist ease that studying curve, Fellow has geared up the machine with intuitive software program and a digital show that gives real-time suggestions. If a shot is pulling too rapidly or too slowly, the system prompts the consumer with clear steerage on how and when to regulate the grind measurement. These tutorial cues goal to make high-quality espresso extra accessible whereas nonetheless respecting the craft.

Extra skilled dwelling baristas and professionals ought to benefit from the extra superior capabilities constructed into the machine. The Sequence 1 permits customers to create and save profiles tailor-made to completely different beans or recipes, with adjustable parameters akin to brew strain, water temperature, and movement charge. This function makes it straightforward to fine-tune the espresso expertise to go well with private preferences or carry out the distinctive character of particular coffees.

Fellow has managed to include all this performance into a pretty machine with a compact footprint. Its smooth design ought to combine properly into most kitchens or dwelling setups. The pricing can also be price noting. Pre-orders for the Sequence 1 are at present set at $1,200, which locations it competitively throughout the premium dwelling espresso phase. For these of us not all for giving Fellow an curiosity free mortgage for 6-8 months till it begins to ship, the retail value might be $1,500. In keeping with Michael Kubba, Fellow’s Chief Product Officer, these costs are anticipated to stay secure, as tariffs have already been baked into the pricing. Kubba additionally famous that though the machines are at present manufactured in China, the corporate is actively exploring world manufacturing choices to enhance accessibility in worldwide markets.

As with the discharge of the Aiden Espresso Maker, questions have surfaced concerning the supplies used within the Sequence 1. To realize its value level and preserve design aesthetics, Fellow has made particular decisions. The machine is wrapped in a satisfying metallic wrap, and seems to make use of considerably extra metallic all through than the Aiden, giving it a extra strong and premium really feel. Nevertheless, each Kubba and Fellow’s Alex Dante Smith confirmed that PFAS-free and BPA-free plastics had been utilized in choose areas.

Most of those plastic elements are exterior, although some inside tubing additionally makes use of the identical food-safe plastics. All supplies, together with metals concerned within the brew course of, have been examined (based on Fellow) to satisfy worldwide meals security requirements. Kubba added that plastic shouldn’t be merely a cost-saving measure; in sure purposes, it performs higher than metallic, particularly in the case of warmth retention and thermal effectivity.

Though the machine is, based on Fellow, near its last manufacturing model, just a few minor changes are nonetheless being thought-about. Dante Smith talked about that the button format on the highest of the machine, significantly for the steam wand and sizzling water features, is likely to be rearranged. The icons for these buttons is also up to date earlier than the ultimate launch. Whereas observing just a few demo models on the ground, I observed no less than one the place the lid for the water tank was troublesome to shut correctly. The discharge button on that unit felt overly stiff, which may very well be a results of tolerances nonetheless being refined. One would hope that points like these are addressed earlier than the machine reaches customers.

All in all, the Sequence 1 appears like a really promising addition to the house espresso panorama. The excitement on the present ground actually displays that. Enthusiastic crowds fashioned lengthy traces on the Fellow sales space, wanting to get a have a look at the brand new machine or pattern a shot pulled on it. The design appears thought out, and the enchantment to each newcomers to espresso and seasoned vets is there. If Fellow delivers on the standard and expertise this prototype suggests, the Sequence 1 might turn into a significant participant within the dwelling espresso market.

Fellow is a bit hazy on the precise launch date, telling me on the Expo to count on it “across the holidays” (so late 4th quarter in 2025 is the earliest availability).

Hello everybody, Chris right here, reporting reside from the ground of the Specialty Espresso Affiliation (SCA) Expo in Houston, Texas. I’m thrilled to be protecting the world’s largest specialty espresso showpiece occasion this 12 months for CoffeeGeek. It seems like a pure convergence of two long-standing pursuits of mine: a deep and enduring love for espresso (to not point out an unhealthy dependence on), and a lifelong obsession with know-how.

For some background on who I’m, my most seen work has possible been by the Hiro Report, a weekly e-newsletter I publish underneath a pseudonym. The e-newsletter focuses on surfacing compelling tech, fascinating gear, and thoughtfully curated Apple ecosystem app suggestions. Exterior of writing and the tech world, I’ve been lucky to reside and work throughout 5 continents. These alternatives have taken form in quite a lot of roles, together with a place as a sous chef in a sushi restaurant and a diplomatic posting in Latin America.

I’m additionally an avid images fanatic, and for greater than a decade, I’ve been utilizing Fujifilm and Leica cameras. Images has principally remained a private pursuit, although it has sometimes crossed over into skilled territory. I hope to showcase a few of my reportage model images work within the SCA Expo articles developing.

Regardless of the numerous instructions my profession and pursuits have taken, one of the crucial constant and rewarding elements of my day by day routine has been making espresso. Whereas I began consuming it in highschool, my deeper reference to espresso started in faculty after receiving a Chemex as a present. That have pulled me into the deep rabbit gap of handbook brewing and pour-over strategies, and I’ve by no means seemed again.

Extra not too long ago, I’ve developed a robust curiosity in espresso. That rising ardour led me to find CoffeeGeek, which I consider continues to be probably the most dependable on-line useful resource for exploring espresso gear and studying extra concerning the finer particulars of espresso.

When Mark reached out to ask if I’d be excited by protecting the SCA Expo this 12 months, I lept on the alternative. A part of the enchantment was the chance to spend a weekend immersed within the newest developments in espresso, particularly within the espresso area. It additionally helped that Houston is only a few hours from my dwelling base in Austin, making journey logistics fairly manageable.

For this 12 months’s Expo, my focus in my CoffeeGeek experiences will largely mirror the mission of the Hiro Report. I’ll be in search of progressive espresso and espresso gear, with a specific curiosity in know-how that has not but reached a broad viewers. A few of it will come from bigger, established manufacturers, however I’m equally keen to find smaller firms and newer entrants to the area. Usually, probably the most fascinating and experimental work occurs outdoors the highlight.

Along with protecting the merchandise themselves, I additionally wish to communicate with the folks behind them. I’m inquisitive about what drives them, what challenges they’ve confronted in bringing their concepts to market, and what compromises have been needed alongside the best way. The human tales behind the gear typically present a extra nuanced understanding of the improvements on show.

All through the weekend, I shall be posting same-day and next-day protection right here on CoffeeGeek. These updates will embody impressions from the present flooring, highlights of noteworthy gear, and conversations with the folks shaping the way forward for espresso. After the occasion wraps, I’ll be following up with extra in-depth reflections and evaluation in a sequence of articles that may seem over the next week.

If you’re in any respect within the newest gear, evolving know-how, and behind-the-scenes insights from the world of specialty espresso, keep tuned right here on CoffeeGeek and on our social channels. We’ll be sharing protection from the bottom and capturing as a lot of the Expo expertise as we will.

Trying ahead to seeing a few of you on the present flooring.