Hot from its launch at Melbourne International Coffee Expo 2024, the new xBloom is gaining attention for its versatility and design.
As members of the coffee industry gathered at Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) in May 2024, each day a crowd of people formed around one equipment specialist’s stand.
According to Coffee Tools Distributing Director Curtis Arnold, it was the two automated pourover coffee machines, the xBloom Original and Studio, that were drawing the crowds to his stand.
“The reaction was crazy, we were one of the busiest stands,” he says.
“The xBloom is one of our best-selling brands. Following the success of the Original, we launched the Studio at MICE. The new model brings something new to the table in terms of flexibility and versatility.”
When the xBloom was first launched in 2022, Curtis was blown away by the technology and started using it in his office to craft filter coffee at the touch of a button. He then partnered with the company to share it with the Australian market.
“I was really impressed with the workflow, coffee, and machine overall and thought the automated features were fantastic. To be able to achieve a high-quality cup of coffee so consistently is the unique standpoint of this machine,” he says.
The new xBloom Studio builds on the Original’s intelligent bean-to-cup functionalities, which produce filter coffee in three simple steps. It also comprises a standalone grinder, brewer, and scale, which can be used as part of the machine or independently.
“If somebody makes espresso at home as well as filter coffee, they can use the xBloom Studio’s standalone parts to help with their coffee preparation. For example, they can use the scales for precision dosing and the adjustable grinder for grinding to a specific coffee recipe,” says Curtis.
Powered by an automatic step motor, the grinder can be adjusted for specified grind sizes and auto-recalibration, achieving near-zero retention for consistently high-quality coffee.
“The grinder is a key part of the machine and has 80 different dialling points, allowing the user to grind beans coarse for cold brew or fine for espresso,” says Curtis.
“This contributes to the versatility of the machine as it allows users to brew a variety of specialty coffee – be it in the office or from the comfort of their own home.”
Both xBloom models feature an autopilot mode, through which users can scan a recipe card and enjoy coffee the way the roaster intended. The recipe functionality not only caters for the needs of the busy barista who wants to focus on consistency, but also the homeowner who wants to get a little creative with their pourovers.
“The machine is engineered to consistently execute recipes with minimal margins of error,” says Curtis.
“It ensures each brew faithfully reproduces the intended flavour profile with precision and reliability. This means any waiter, coffee enthusiast, or office worker can create an amazing cup of coffee without having a special set of skills.”
When asked about the future of automation and what it means for the industry, Curtis is positive as he reflects on the reactions of MICE attendees. He praises companies like xBloom, which he believes are helping to pave the way in machine innovation and efficiency while also giving the end user the freedom to be creative.
“With the rise of machines like the xBloom Studio, you’re not only getting convenience but also a quality product, and that is hopefully where we are going with automation. It allows people to control all variables and produce amazing results in a repeatable way.”
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This article appears in the August/September 2024 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
