HOST Milan 2025 Recap #2

What an incredible experience at HOST Milan 2025. Thoughts from the rest of the Ublend team.

HOST Milan remains one of the world’s most influential trade fairs for the foodservice and hospitality industry — held every two years in Italy’s design capital. It’s where innovation, craftsmanship, and creativity collide, setting the tone for what’s next in global coffee culture.

This year’s event was absolutely buzzing with energy — five days surrounded by the latest coffee trends, cutting-edge technology, and game-changing equipment. It’s always inspiring to see how quickly our industry continues to evolve, but this year felt especially forward-looking. The focus was clear: better control, better efficiency, and better sustainability, all without losing the craft and soul of coffee.

20,000 Steps a Day — Exploring the Coffee Halls

Over four full days we covered roughly 20,000 steps a day, making our way through the four enormous coffee halls at the fair. Every turn brought something new — from next-generation grinders and espresso machines to fully automated milk systems and connected software platforms.

The show wasn’t just about shiny new gear; it was about how these innovations are changing the way cafés operate — creating more consistency, more control, and more freedom for baristas to focus on what really matters: flavour, presentation, and connection with customers.

Key Takeaways

Smart automation is here — and it’s impressive.Technology is now enhancing, not replacing, the craft of coffee. Baristas can fine-tune, store, and monitor recipes in real time, with systems that flag when adjustments are needed. Efficiency and quality no longer compete — they work hand in hand.

Espresso machine makers are expanding their scope.

Many are venturing into grinders, milk systems, and digital ecosystems, creating integrated equipment families that communicate seamlessly for precision and performance.

Grinder innovation is accelerating.

We’re seeing grinders and espresso machines syncing live through telemetry, adjusting grind settings based on real-time extraction data. This kind of integration is changing what “dialing in” really means.

Multi-milk automation is the new normal.

Automatic milk systems that manage multiple milk types — dairy, oat, soy, almond — are becoming standard, making life easier for cafés offering a wide range of options.

Software is taking centre stage.

Manufacturers are rolling out platforms that deliver deep data insights — tracking consistency, performance, and even flavour outcomes. It’s all about smarter, more predictable coffee quality.

Looking Ahead

HOST Milan 2025 was more than just a trade fair — it was a glimpse into the future of coffee. The energy, collaboration, and creativity on display reaffirmed why this industry never stands still.

The innovations we saw will help cafés everywhere lift their consistency, reduce waste, and refine quality in every cup. More importantly, they’ll give baristas and roasters the tools to work smarter and tell their coffee stories with greater confidence.

HOST Milan is always an incredible experience — an opportunity to connect with global partners, explore new ideas, and, of course, enjoy far too many espressos along the way.