As I discussed in my SCA Expo intro put up, I’ve spent most of my coffee-drinking years as a pourover espresso maker. I began with a Chemex in school, after which labored my method by way of all method of variants of V60, Kalita Wave, Intelligent Brewer, and so forth. As such, once I stumbled throughout the newly launched Dwell Dripper on the present flooring at SCA Expo this weekend, I had a pure curiosity to see what it was all about and what units it other than the very sturdy competitors in that house.

First delivered to market in November of final 12 months by the group at Verve Espresso, the preliminary factor that drew my consideration in regards to the Dwell Dripper was the look of it. It is available in various enjoyable, eye-catching colours, with a delightful matte end due to it being comprised of BPA-free silicone in lieu of the extra reflective laborious plastic, porcelain, or steel normally present in pourover drippers. The mix of colour and end offers the Dwell the looks of one thing that would serve twin function as each a kitchen ornament and a espresso maker.

The large query is whether or not the Dwell is simply an aesthetic improve to a traditional design, or if it actually brings one thing new and compelling to justify upgrading from one’s current different.

It seems that Verve did got down to make materials enhancements to the traditional pourover mechanic. In keeping with Harris Nash, Verve Espresso’s Senior Wholesale Supervisor, they designed the Dwell to hurry up the pourover course of whereas maintaining or probably elevating the consistency of the espresso.

In an effort to accomplish this, they ran with the Kalita Wave profile’s increased partitions and a way more open backside design. Nash mentioned that these adjustments enable one to brew a regular pourover in about 2.5–3 minutes, as in comparison with about 4 minutes with a Kalita Wave.

For those who’re pondering to your self that velocity is good however questioning how this may impression extraction, you then and I may need some form of asynchronous psychic connection. When requested, Nash answered that you’re nonetheless capable of get the quantity of extraction that you simply’re used to by simply grinding your beans one or two grind adjustment clicks finer. Additional, by making the Dwell out of silicone, it has higher warmth retention than most drippers in the marketplace, which ought to assist with a extra even extraction by sustaining extra constant temperatures all through the brew course of.

Verve guarantees a brighter, clearer cup of espresso due to a mix of the sooner brew time offered by the design and a brand new, finer paper filter they’re releasing. This filter is similar to the Kalita Wave sequence filters, however based on Verve is structured with a contact of rigidity to assist it keep suspended throughout the dripper to maintain it away from the periphery for a sooner, much less impeded circulate.

Within the hand, the dripper feels clean with just a bit grip, and the silicone is thick sufficient to maintain a superb quantity of rigidity whereas sustaining flexibility that ought to make it unbreakable: a pleasant level-up over most pourovers. (I, for one, have purchased a brand new ceramic V60 nearly yearly because of varied members of the family retiring mine early by by accident knocking them off counters.)

Verve had professional baristas brewing up pattern coffees with the Dwell at their sales space all weekend, and the cup I had did certainly style remarkably clean. Naturally, these are outcomes from a educated skilled that has doubtlessly dialed of their course of for this brewer, however I used to be impressed with the outcomes. I’ll be seeking to see if I can get my fingers on a Dwell Dripper to place by way of some testing with my very own extra common pourover abilities, each to see if I can replicate these outcomes and if there’s a noticeable enchancment in brew time from my ordinary set-up.

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 residence espresso expertise for a variety of customers, from full novices 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 practically plug-and-play, requiring minimal setup proper out of the field. One of the difficult points for novices is studying methods to 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 provides real-time suggestions. If a shot is pulling too shortly or too slowly, the system prompts the person with clear steering on how and when to regulate the grind dimension. These tutorial cues intention to make high-quality espresso extra accessible whereas nonetheless respecting the craft.

Extra skilled residence 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 totally different beans or recipes, with adjustable parameters corresponding to brew strain, water temperature, and movement fee. This function makes it straightforward to fine-tune the espresso expertise to go well with private preferences or convey out the distinctive character of particular coffees.

Fellow has managed to include all this performance into a beautiful machine with a compact footprint. Its glossy design ought to combine properly into most kitchens or residence 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 inside the premium residence espresso section. For these of us not excited by giving Fellow an curiosity free mortgage for 6-8 months till it begins to ship, the retail value shall be $1,500. Based on Michael Kubba, Fellow’s Chief Product Officer, these costs are anticipated to stay steady, 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 international manufacturing choices to enhance accessibility in worldwide markets.

As with the discharge of the Aiden Espresso Maker, questions have surfaced relating to the supplies used within the Sequence 1. To attain 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. Nonetheless, 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 parts 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 (in keeping with Fellow) to fulfill worldwide meals security requirements. Kubba added that plastic will not be merely a cost-saving measure; in sure functions, it performs higher than metallic, particularly on the subject of warmth retention and thermal effectivity.

Though the machine is, in keeping with Fellow, near its last manufacturing model, a couple of minor changes are nonetheless being thought-about. Dante Smith talked about that the button structure on the highest of the machine, notably for the steam wand and sizzling water features, is perhaps rearranged. The icons for these buttons is also up to date earlier than the ultimate launch. Whereas observing a couple of demo items on the ground, I seen at the least one the place the lid for the water tank was tough to shut correctly. The discharge button on that unit felt overly stiff, which could possibly 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 seems to be like a really promising addition to the house espresso panorama. The thrill on the present flooring actually displays that. Enthusiastic crowds fashioned lengthy traces on the Fellow sales space, wanting to get a take 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 may turn out to be a significant participant within the residence espresso market.

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

Yearly, the Specialty Espresso Affiliation (SCA) at their Annual Expo has judges strolling the ground, assessing cubicles, merchandise, and companies to find out which deserve recognition as the most effective in present. I took half on this course of in the course of the early 2000s once I served on an SCAA committee. Firms submit merchandise for consideration, and judges make a degree of visiting each and recording detailed evaluations.

This 12 months, the SCA introduced the 2025 Finest New Product Awards and the Espresso Design Awards. These awards goal to have fun innovation and excellence throughout the specialty espresso trade whereas additionally spotlighting merchandise that declare to drive new developments in espresso.

“We’re proud to acknowledge these excellent merchandise that replicate our trade’s ardour, creativity, and forward-thinking spirit,” stated Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Espresso Affiliation. “This 12 months’s winners are actually setting new requirements in specialty espresso and provoking your entire espresso neighborhood.”

A lot of the award winners this 12 months will not be in the principle focus of a web site like CoffeeGeek, however we’ll checklist all of them, beginning with those which have essentially the most shopper focus. I’m additionally aiming a little bit of a essential eye on the selections, which I believe might have been so much higher this 12 months.

Folks’s Alternative Award

In all probability my favorite award of the present, and one that every 12 months normally goes to a worthy product. This 12 months the winner was Time100 Inc. | Mago Maga Sensible Residence Espresso Bean Roaster, a pioneering dwelling espresso roasting with one-touch automated or guide skilled modes, 300g capability, auto-cooling, and a smooth, clear design.

I find it irresistible, and wish to attain out to this firm quickly to speak about us presumably reviewing the machine.

Client Espresso Preparation & Serving Tools Winner

This 12 months, OXO received for his or her OXO Fast Brewer, a concentrated cold and warm brew machine, which may make a brewed cup of both in lower than 5 minutes. OXO claims their machine makes the identical tasting espresso {that a} 24 hour steep does in conventional chilly brew strategies. It features a inbuilt chrome steel tamper, and a carafe that every one nest collectively for storage.

This in all probability wouldn’t be my prime decide, figuring out what’s being proven this 12 months at SCA (I’d in all probability give it to the Baratza Encore ESP Professional grinder). I’ve had some arms on with the machine, and whereas it’s fascinating, I don’t fairly know the way it scored better of present. 

Espresso Equipment Better of Present

This one went to ICOSA Brewhouse for his or her Avensi Wave Sensory Drinkware Assortment, together with the Cyclone Sensory Carafe, Aeresso Espresso in Glass and Ceramic, and the Alto Tasting Glass.

So this one may be very complicated to me due to two issues. First, I assumed ICOSA received this award for the a number of of the identical merchandise from SCA in 2021 – can they win it twice? They even have the 2021 badge on their web site to show it. And I gotta be sincere right here: these merchandise appear to borrow very closely from Kruve’s Propel and EQ glasses, which have been launched in 2018 and 2019. The Kruve Propel particularly pioneered the entire “swirl and agitate” factor and was a Kickstarter challenge in 2019; the Aeresso cup got here out final 12 months.

If I sound essential, it’s not as a result of Brewhouse makes fascinating merchandise (they do, even when they did borrow closely from Kruve). It’s primarily as a result of I don’t suppose the identical product ought to win this award twice; and I believe there have been quite a lot of different approach cool espresso equipment on the present that deserved consideration. 

Open Class (Open Class)

Squeaky, an organization I’d by no means heard of (however wish to know extra about now!), received for his or her HOM Chubby a coaching machine which, in response to them, revolutionizes aroma sampling with a hygienic, eco-friendly design, excellent for espresso outlets, coaching, and competitions.

It’s actually fascinating! And fairly “hand-crafted” trying, however I’m all for issues that assist with aroma coaching in understanding the nuances of espresso. Additionally they received final 12 months for his or her $160 “Espresso Ball Cooler” machine.

Different Award Winners

Different classes will not be actually inside the scope of what we cowl on CoffeeGeek, however are nonetheless very a lot price mentioning.

Industrial Espresso Preparation & Serving Tools

An actual recreation altering producer within the espresso roaster world, ROEST, received for his or her ROEST P3000, an automatic manufacturing roaster with a 1–3 kg capability, roasting in below 7 minutes with simply 5 minutes of labor/hour with a small footprint. It options automated roasting, between-batch protocols and superior sensor expertise.

I’ve been listening to so much about this firm and their merchandise, (together with the lovable and tiny ROEST S100) so kudos to them!

Specialty Espresso Beverage Additive

Hacco, Inc. for the KOJI BARISTA (Fermented Rice Beverage), a naturally fermented, plant-based rice beverage for baristas. Koji fermentation creates delicate sweetness and a creamy, frothable texture: dairy-free, sugar-free, and allergen-free. Excellent for espresso, enhancing taste and mouthfeel.

Specialty Non-Espresso Beverage Standalone

Harris Woolf Almonds, for his or her Almond Milk 2.0, which differentiates itself from different almond milks with its taste, mouthfeel, and frothiness. Nicely, that’s an enormous promise!

Espresso Design Awards

The SCA additionally acknowledges excellence in design and advertising and marketing inside the specialty espresso area. These are the winners in choose classes. I’ve left SCA’s personal descriptions intact.

The Award for Areas was introduced to Puelo Espresso Roasters, Santiago de Chile. A recognition of the work behind the trouble, concentrate on prospects and making expertise a part of new option to perceive the specialty espresso tradition,

The Award for Packaging was introduced to Ember Items, Olympia Washington. The first reference was a classic matchbox and enjoying on the corporate’s title, Ember Items. Believing that any good thought or dialog begins with an “Ember” earlier than it turns into a hearth.

The Award for Branding was introduced to Yettu. Yettu is a inexperienced espresso exporter specializing in high-quality Indian espresso, fastidiously sourced from the fertile lands of Tamil Nadu. Yettu embodies a journey from earth to cup, honoring historical farming traditions and sustainable practices.

It Might Be Higher

Having participated on this judging course of up to now, and seeing the way it’s been trudging alongside since, I believe the SCA ought to severely contemplate revamping this whole awards course of, modernizing it and having some fairly strict guidelines in place so the identical merchandise (simply packaged in another way or with an addition or two) can’t win greater than as soon as. 

I’d actually wish to see extra particular classes within the shopper and business gear house. Issues like improvements in espresso, in guide espresso, grinder classes, a wider vary of espresso equipment (maybe one for espresso centered, one different brew strategies, and so forth).

The keenness was excessive on the Aptitude Espresso sales space on the second day of the SCA Expo, and it’s simple to see why, provided that they’ve so many new merchandise to point out off this 12 months. I had the prospect to speak at size in regards to the newest developments with Aptitude’s Head of E-commerce and B2C Advertising and marketing, Jeffrey Walcott, and Aptitude’s Product Guru, Charles Temkey.

At first, they had been keen to point out off the Aptitude Go Espresso Maker, which we at the moment have present process testing at CoffeeGeek headquarters, adopted by the Aptitude Wizard Milk Steamer, which can get a overview course of on CoffeeGeek later this summer time as soon as it begins delivery.

The Aptitude Go is exclusive in taking their already distinctive lever espresso brewer design, seen within the form they launched with a decade in the past (the unique Kickstarter Aptitude lever machine and the Aptitude Signature) all the best way as much as the excessive finish Aptitude 58+2. The Aptitude Go makes issues much more travel-ready by way of a considerate folding design. By means of a sequence of origami-like folds of the lever arm and tripod legs, the complete espresso expertise can fold down right into a journey container in regards to the dimension of a small aerial drone case or skilled digicam dice.

In keeping with Walcott and Temkey, they made this product for 2 causes:

1. Extra individuals are desirous to get into espresso however have already got quite a lot of different kitchen equipment competing for restricted counter house. This smaller design helps them make café-quality espresso after which simply put the gadget away in a drawer or cupboard till it’s time for the following shot.

2. Vacationers who need to have the ability to pull tasty pictures no matter whether or not they’re holed up in a lodge room or deep within the woods, removed from a specialty espresso store.

I gained’t steal Mark’s thunder with first impressions (CoffeeGeek’s First Search for the Aptitude Go is coming quickly!) past saying that the match and end of the black mannequin that I dealt with was wonderful, with what felt like simply the correct amount of resistance when folding the items in order to not be floppy. 

Temkey additionally defined that they deliberately used silicone bushings within the joints of the legs to supply only a slight quantity of flex to imitate the impact of shocks on an off-road automobile; in different phrases, you may set the Aptitude Go on an uneven floor like a rock or a log and the legs will flex simply sufficient to all make contact with the floor as you utilize the lever to construct stress and draw your shot. When one considers that the Go has all these travel-ready options and likewise comes with the identical upgraded 6–12 bar stress gauge discovered on their Aptitude Professional fashions, one can begin to see their pleasure about bringing this to marketplace for simply $199.

Subsequent, Walcott and Temkey plied me with a tasty latte that includes milk steamed by the Aptitude Wizard Milk Steamer.

The Wizard is a milk steamer that heats up off of nearly any customary cooktop warmth aspect, constructing to a protected 3–4 bars of stress for making barista-quality steam. The spectacular factor about this steamer is that it manages to steam milk twice as quick with half as a lot integrated water in comparison with most client fashions. Aptitude claims that its efficiency is corresponding to business machines like La Marzocco and Slayer, at a way more approachable worth level.

The Aptitude Wizard additionally ships with a 1-hole tip and a 3-hole tip, permitting customers to decide on the power of the steam; a characteristic that can are available significantly useful for novice customers who might not be prepared for the complete blast of steam the Wizard is able to producing.

Aptitude is hoping that by introducing this steamer to their assortment, they’re eradicating one other excuse for customers who could also be drawn to their espresso makers however have resisted as a result of they need the flexibility to provide steamed milk drinks, not simply pull a shot. The flexibility to steam 10 ounces (300 milliliters) of milk in simply 20 seconds now makes the mixture of a Aptitude espresso maker paired with the Wizard Milk Steamer a reasonably compelling bundle not only for residence baristas, but in addition for eating places and cafés wanting to supply a novel espresso expertise for his or her clientele.

Once we get a take a look at unit for overview on CoffeeGeek, we might be placing all this to the take a look at, however it actually might be an fascinating sport changer as a result of not solely wouldn’t it praise the complete Aptitude lineup by providing a steamed and frothed milk resolution, however it might additionally present this “service” to different handbook and espresso solely units, just like the Nanopresso, the Superkop, or Odyssey Argos.

Again to the corporate’s lever machines, Aptitude talked about that they’ve seen no less than one 3-Michelin-star restaurant utilizing a Aptitude espresso maker for tableside after-dinner espresso drinks, and that Intelligentsia’s Coffeebar in Seoul, Korea had strains operating down the block once they provided lever-pulled pictures from a Aptitude 58+2, which they acknowledged was partly as a result of scrumptious pictures and partly as a result of novelty of the maker’s design and performance.

We’ll have extra to say about these thrilling new units and the brand new entry-level Aptitude Neo Flex espresso maker once we launch hands-on opinions within the coming weeks.

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).