The Centro Studi Mediobanca estimates that more than three billion cups of coffee are drunk worldwide every day, and almost one hundred million of them in Italy alone. If you’re thinking of the classic cup, think again. While quality espresso is increasingly popular in traditional ‘filter’ markets, specialty coffees and lattes are growing in ‘mocha and espresso’ countries.

In particular, iced coffees are growing (+3.2 percent in 2023 per Food Service Monitor). This summer’s must-have? Nitro coffee, cooled with nitrogen, which makes it more aromatic and creamier. Today, coffee is a speciality to be enjoyed at leisure, requiring ad-hoc technologies.

“Our multi-boiler machines, with variable pressure profiles, offer baristas unprecedented flexibility. These tools allow coffee professionals to experiment and create cold drinks such as coffee shakes, espresso tonics and other summer innovations,” comments Valentina De Rosa, Italy Sales Office at La San Marco.

Gourmet trends are also confirmed by international top players. “Our technology makes it possible to produce both hot and cold milk, and foam, at the touch of a button, to create new refreshing coffee drinks. To enable a wide range of cold coffee creations, we place particular emphasis on innovative foaming capabilities,” says Sanela Kujovic, Communication & PR Manager at Thermoplan, Switzerland.

Another increasingly important aspect is aesthetics, as clarifies Maurizio Maccagnani, President of La Spaziale: “Design is crucial in coffee machines today. Besides ensuring optimum performance, design plays a key role in attracting customers and creating an engaging experience. This evolution also concerns sustainability, thanks to eco-design: some of our models save up to 60% energy".

All these trends await coffee lovers at SIC - Salone Internazionale del Caffè as part of Host 2025, at fieramilano in Milan-Rho from 17 to 21 October 2025, as well as in the rich programme of events with the return to Milan of the World Barista Championship organised by SCA - Specialty Coffee Association and WCE - World Coffee Events.