Sip – Your Weekly Roundup of the Most Important News in Coffee
Issue 3
Coffee never stands still. From game-changing innovations to debates over how coffee should be brewed, roasted, and ranked, this week was packed with stories that highlight where the industry is heading. In this edition of Sip, we cover the unveiling of revolutionary new espresso and pourover machines, the arrival of a sustainable roasting solution in the Middle East, and a global ranking of the best coffee shops that’s already sparking controversy. Let’s dive in.
Automated Pourover, Perfected: The Poursteady PS2 Launches
The beauty of a handcrafted pourover is undeniable, but for coffee shops, brewing each cup manually isn’t always practical. Enter the Poursteady PS2, an upgraded version of the pioneering automated pourover system that made waves when it first launched a decade ago. Unveiled at World of Coffee Dubai by Brewing Gadgets, the PS2 eliminates the need for an external boiler with an on-demand heating system, slashing energy use while ensuring precise temperature control. It also features cloud-based recipe management, allowing baristas to fine-tune extraction settings remotely. For specialty cafés, restaurants, and offices looking to balance quality with efficiency, the PS2 could be a game-changer—blending robotic precision with the craft of manual brewing. Read more
Meet the Espresso Machine That Could Change Home Brewing Forever
For home baristas, there’s often a trade-off between convenience and control. You either master a professional setup with a steep learning curve or settle for the ease of a pod machine. The Meraki Espresso Machine, launched at World of Coffee Dubai, aims to eliminate that compromise. After an explosive Kickstarter debut, raising over $1.2 million in just three days, Meraki is now making its way into the hands of coffee lovers worldwide. With CoffeeSense™ technology, it reads NFC-tagged coffee beans and adjusts extraction settings automatically—no guesswork required. It also features a high-performance built-in grinder developed with TIMEMORE®, dual boilers for simultaneous espresso extraction and milk steaming, and an Auto Mode for effortless precision. With Brewing Gadgets introducing the Meraki to the Middle East, this could be the most significant leap in home espresso since the invention of the E61 group head. Read more
The Bellwether Electric Roaster Arrives in the Middle East
Sustainability is becoming a non-negotiable in the coffee industry, and roasting is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to carbon emissions. Bellwether Coffee has been working to change that with its all-electric, ventless coffee roaster, which has just made its Middle East debut, courtesy of Brewing Gadgets. Named Best New Product of 2024 by the Specialty Coffee Association, the Bellwether Shop Roaster eliminates gas, ventilation requirements, and roasting complexity, making it possible for cafés to roast in-house while reducing their carbon footprint by 90%. For specialty coffee businesses looking to control their supply, reduce costs, and build a unique brand identity, Bellwether is a turnkey solution that’s already transforming the industry in the US and Europe. The question isn’t whether Middle Eastern coffee shops will embrace in-house roasting—it’s who will do it first. Read more
Profitec Unveils the Ride: A New Standard in Home Espresso
The Profitec Ride, launched globally for the first time at World of Coffee Dubai, is setting a new benchmark for home espresso machines. Known for German precision engineering, Profitec’s latest machine is built for baristas who want absolute control over their extractions. The Ride features: Dual boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming, active & passive preinfusion for optimal extraction, a modular portafilter system, allowing baristas to switch between different configurations, and an OLED display that blends modern aesthetics with real-time data. With a fast heat-up mode and a minimalist yet powerful design, the Ride is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated home espresso machines of 2025. The fact that Brewing Gadgets was chosen for its global debut speaks volumes about its standing in the industry. For serious home baristas, the future is here. The only question is: Are you ready for the Ride?Read more
World’s Best Coffee Shops Announced—And It’s Already Controversial
The first-ever World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list has been released, and it’s already sparking debate. Toby’s Estate in Sydney, Australia took the #1 spot, with Australia dominating the list—placing three cafés in the top 10 and nine in total. Meanwhile, Tim Wendelboe, one of the most revered names in specialty coffee, only managed 5th place. The UAE had just one entry on the list: One Life in Dubai at #23. So, what does this ranking actually mean? The competition used a weighted voting system, with 30% of the score coming from public votes and 70% from expert evaluations by baristas, roasters, and industry professionals. But does that fully reflect what makes a coffee shop truly “the best”? It’s clear the ranking leans toward consumer experience rather than just technical coffee excellence. Some might argue this is a positive shift—great coffee isn’t just about extraction perfection but the entire experience. Others will say it raises concerns about how we define quality in specialty coffee. Either way, expect this list to be a hot topic in the industry. Read more
Final Sip
From cutting-edge coffee tech to controversial rankings, this week proved once again that the coffee industry is constantly evolving. If you found this edition of Sip interesting, share it with a fellow coffee lover.
See you next week for another dose of coffee news.
The Sip Team