When I looked back at the numbers for 2025, something stood out clearly. People did not just click on FLTR Magazine content. They actually read it, stayed with the articles, returned to some of them and shared them. That tells me there are still people out there that like reading. As long as that writing feels honest, useful, and grounded.
So instead of just listing the Top 10, I want to talk through them. I want to explain why I believe each article resonated, and what it suggests about where coffee culture is right now. And because many people will want to revisit these pieces, each section ends with a link placeholder.
1. 7 coffee roasters you must visit in Dubai
I think people connected strongly with this article because Dubai has reached a point where it deserves to be taken seriously as a coffee city. And readers responded to an article that wasn’t another superficial list built for social applause. I tried to create a guide that felt real and trustworthy and showcased which roasters care about sourcing, craft, and flavour in a meaningful way.
As a result, this article helped people experience Dubai through quality rather than image. And I think people appreciated that kind of grounded honesty.
Read the original article here.
2. A step by step guide to creating a successful coffee truck business
Many people quietly dream about starting a coffee truck. The concept looks exciting from the outside. And super instagram-worthy. It feels creative, flexible, and appealing. However, it also requires discipline, stamina, and real planning.
This article, written by the founder of one of the most popular coffee trucks in the world, worked because it did not sell a fantasy. It packaged the reality in an easy to read, practical, yet detailed guide to how you can open your own.
Read the original article here.
3. The best specialty coffee shops in Jakarta
Jakarta has been on my radar for a long time. I have always had a strong audience there, particularly through my Instagram page, @manmakecoffee. So I already knew how passionate and knowledgeable the community is.
However, 2025 made Jakarta even more significant because The World of Coffee took place there. It was the first time the event happened in a coffee origin country. This article helped people understand why Jakarta deserves global recognition, and I think readers clearly valued seeing the city acknowledged with seriousness and respect.
Read the original article here. A follower reached out to tell me I missed some gems. So I wrote a follow-up which you can read here.
4. The ECM Mechanika Max: a 3 month review
People often ask what the espresso machine is I use at home. And it’s this one: the ECM Mechanika Max. This thing is a tank. A beautiful, consistent tank.
I think this article did well because it felt human. Many reviews online sound like product sheets dressed up as opinions. This one was different. I spoke honestly about what it feels like to actually live with the machine every day. The uncertainty at first. The learning curve. The small frustrations. The satisfaction when everything finally clicks. Because people considering a serious espresso machine want real perspective, not sales language.
Read the original article here.
5. How espresso works
Espresso intimidates many people. It can feel complex and technical. So instead of treating it like a mysterious ritual, I tried to explain it in a clear, calm way, that helped people understand what their machines were doing, and why different variables affect the cup.
I think it resonated because people want knowledge that respects them. They want to feel capable without being spoken down to.
Read the original article here.
6. The ideas I walked away with after watching James Hoffmann speak
Given the celebrity he is in the coffee world, I expected James Hoffmann to be a diva. The guy I met was down to earth, charming and generous with his time.
And one of the best speakers I have ever met. His insights into where specialty coffee is doing were eye-opening. I hosted the event in Dubai and people flew in from Egypt, Turkey and India to see him. They were not disappointed.
This is my rundown of the event.
7. The best specialty coffee shops in Houston
Houston hosted the final edition of the Specialty Coffee Expo. And I timed this article with that event. And that was clearly a good decision. It became the seventh most read article of 2025. I listed the best specialty coffee shops in the city, why they made the list and their location.
Click here to see who made the list.
8. You are not selling coffee
This one spoke directly to café owners and challenged how they think about what they do. People do not only buy coffee. They also buy belonging, familiarity, reassurance, and identity.
The response to this article showed that people needed that conversation.
Read the original article here.
9. The reality of running a coffee shop: 7 hard truths no one tells you
Running a café looks romantic from the outside. Many people imagine cosy mornings, smiling customers, and beautiful cups of coffee. Reality is different.
This article spoke honestly about the emotional labour, financial stress, constant troubleshooting, and real exhaustion many owners live with. A lot of café owners wrote to me after reading it saying they felt seen.
Read the original article here.
10. The best pour over method: Chemex vs V60 vs Kalita
Brewing conversations can become emotional very quickly. People form attachments to brewers. They defend them passionately. I’m not one to feed into dogma so this article focused on clear explanation.
It broke down how each brewer behaves, why design matters, and how different tools affect clarity, body, and taste.
Read the original article here.
A personal highlight: The Home Barista Show
The one thing that defined 2025 for me more than anything else though, was the birth of The Home Barista Show. I hosted it in Dubai. Then in Sharjah. Then in Cape Town, where we had the biggest turnout of the year with 120 people in the room. Watching so many people gather because they genuinely care about making better coffee at home meant a great deal to me.
For years, I have believed that home brewers deserve more. They deserve space, education without arrogance and community. Seeing that belief take physical shape was powerful.
It reminded me that FLTR has never only been about articles. It has always been about people.
So if you read FLTR this year, shared an article, attended an event, or even just followed quietly in the background, thank you. You were part of the story.
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