What Went Down at SCA Houston?

As we pack away our cardboard booth and finish the last drops of exceptional coffee, we can’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of innovation, connection, and pure coffee passion that was present at SCA Expo Houston 2025. From groundbreaking technology to sustainable design, this year’s event showcased the very best of what the specialty coffee industry has to offer.

Let’s dive into our highlights of SCA Houston 2025:

Our Sustainable Showstopper: The Cardboard Booth.

We are committed to sustainability, and one small step of many is our continuous decision to create our entire booth out of cardboard. Working in collaboration with our brilliant partners at Carton Lab, our designer Emily Jackson transformed the booth once again and created a new, jaw-dropping booth with different areas representing our products and inviting hands-on exploration.

Cropster Cafe: Where Data Meets Delicious

If there’s one thing that gets us as excited as great coffee, it’s great data. Our Cropster Cafe plug-and-play hardware solution (BrewBeacon) drew many interested parties eager to see how easy it can be to track espresso machine data in real-time.

The real fun began when baristas started testing their consistency using our Brew Beacon. Who knew that a graph could generate so much friendly competition? It was fantastic to see how our tools could not only improve coffee quality but also bring people together in the pursuit of the perfect shot.

Rise of the Machines: Onyx’s Automated Barista

In a scene straight out of a sci-fi coffee lover’s dream, Onyx Coffee Lab showcased a fully automated robot capable of pouring the perfect cup of coffee. While it might not have the friendly banter of your local barista, its precision and consistency were truly impressive. It certainly sparked some interesting conversations about the future of coffee service!

Sustainable Style: Lamose’s “This is TI” Display

Speaking of impressive displays, Lamose knocked it out of the park with their “This is TI” exhibit. Their paper stands for product display were not just incredibly aesthetic, but also a brilliant example of sustainable design in action. It was a powerful reminder that beauty and eco-consciousness can go hand in hand in the coffee industry.

The Heart of the Matter: Connecting with Our Community

While the technology and innovation on display were exciting, the true highlight of SCA Expo Houston was the opportunity to reconnect with our customers and meet new faces in the coffee community. Your passion for quality, sustainability, and the perfect cup of coffee continues to inspire and drive us.

We heard your stories, shared laughs, and geeked out over the latest in coffee tech. These moments of connection remind us why we do what we do and fuel our commitment to supporting the specialty coffee industry.

And we’re also proud to be supporting the World Coffee Roasting Championship, which was a truly inspiring competition. Congratulations to the winners:

• 4th: Song Chundan, China
• 3rd: Naruepon Wuttipappinyo, Thailand
• 2nd: Ashton Huang, Taiwan
• 1st: Mikaël Portannier, France

Photocredit: Daniel Mendoza

Looking Ahead

As we return to our offices and prepare for WOC Jakarta, we carry with us the energy and inspiration from SCA Expo Houston. The event showcased an industry that’s not just growing, but evolving in exciting and sustainable ways.

From all of us at Cropster, thank you to everyone who visited our booth, shared their experiences, and contributed to making this event unforgettable. Here’s to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in specialty coffee—until next time, keep innovating and brewing awesome!