For those who know me (or think they know me), I'm not one to shy away from strong opinions about the SCAA, both positive and negative; but I try to keep those editorial and personal opinions out of these show reports where I can, saving them for my more op/ed pieces on CoffeeGeek and elsewhere.

But this one I have to bring up - the "New Products Showcase". I see this every year at the SCAA, and for me, it's one of the more disappointing things at the show (though there are exceptions some years - maybe one or two things in the case that are actually pretty cool).

This year, as with all years, it's sad. Nothing but syrups, cups, sleeves, airpots, more sleeves, more syrups, coasters, some boring books (not even the "cool books" that are actually at this show!) and yet more syrups.

It's early days here, and I'll do my best to try and find you some actually "cool" and interesting things at this show - stuff that isn't just put in a case by allied companies. Stuff of interest to you and me. I already have leads on a few  things. I hear the UCC people with their halogen vac pot burners are here (I wrote about them back in 2003 when no one was paying attention - they had no sales that year). I also hear Baratza has a new grinder, and that there's a heap of new books this year, and that Intelly has a custom La Marzocco, and the updated Elektra Nina grinder, and.... well, I'll try to get to them all!