GeoTools master (2.9.x) now requires Java 8.
Java 8 contains new language features including lambda expressions and method references, and a new Stream API for collections:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/8-whats-new-2157071.html
Kind regards,
--
Ben Caradoc-Davies <ben@anonymised.com>
Director
Transient Software Limited <http://transient.nz/>
New Zealand