Bean to Cup Machines
If you are looking for silky, fluffy cappuccinos, or rich espresso, a bean-to cup machine will deliver a barista-style beverage. This is especially the case for machines that have milk carafes, which automatically dispensing perfectly texturized and creamy milk to enhance your coffee.
But there are a few other factors to be considered before you buy one.
Quality
Based on what you'd like out of your cup coffee, quality is a big consideration. There is a growing segment of coffee lovers who are more concerned with the quality of their espresso than other aspects of their beverage. Fortunately, there are many coffee makers that will deliver.
Most bean to cup machines are capable of producing cappuccino, latte and cortado, flat white - along with basic black coffees, such as americano and filter coffee. A quality machine will have adjustable grind settings that allow you to modify the flavor and intensity of your coffee. It should also include a milk steam wand for those who enjoy creamy classics like lattes or capspuccinos.
Some machines are completely automated in espresso, but the vast majority require manual intervention by the user to create milk-based drinks. This is often the case with the top mid-range and top-end machines, however, there are some that can make milky beverages at the touch of a button.
The Sage Oracle & Oracle Touch, for example, are among the best bean-to-cup machines in terms of shot quality. However, they can't match the results the traditional home espresso machine when operated by a professional barista, can create. The Gaggia Navigation is a reasonable option that will still yield a fantastic cup of coffee. It also comes with the added benefit of being the easiest machine to clean that I've tried.
Convenience
One of the most significant advantages of a bean-to-cup machine is that it grinds and extracts coffee beans when needed. This helps to improve taste as the longer a ground coffee sits around the more it is oxidized.
This oxidation decreases the flavor intensity, so it's important to grind coffee beans only when you're ready to make the perfect espresso drink or hot chocolate. The best bean-to-cup machines also have the ability to stop you from making an entire batch of brews before you've gone through the internal grinders' bin.
Unlike traditional espresso machines, which are often a waste product by forcing too much fluid through the portafilter and overflowing it back into the chamber, bean-to-cup machines produce very little wastage. They employ a specially designed thermoblock that only heats the water it requires, rather than pouring it onto the grounds and wasting it.
If you're looking for a complete espresso, cappuccino or latte experience with your automated coffee machine opt for models with an integrated milk system that can heat and texturize the milk to a desired consistency and then dispense it into your beverage. Some of the more bespoke models allow you to modify the temperature, texture of the milk and foam degree of your drinks.
Versatility
A bean-to-cup machine is a great option for companies who wish to provide their employees and customers premium coffee drinks at the touch of a button. Like the name suggests, these machines grind and brew fresh coffee into a cup. This means you can make an espresso long black, flat white, or cappuccino all at the flick of a button. These machines also have a milk frother that can give the drink a smooth, texturized taste for those who prefer it.
This versatility is what makes a coffee to cup machine such a sought-after choice for businesses such as offices, car dealerships and beauty salons who need to cater to a wide range of tastes. Bean to cup coffee machines can be mastered to use by anyone, unlike traditional espresso machines in commercial settings that require a barista in order to operate. This convenience eliminates the need for staff training and also saves you money.
Furthermore the beans are ground right away before making a beverage, therefore they are always fresh and flavorful. The flavor of ground beans starts to diminish after a couple of minutes, so the faster they are consumed more frequently, the better it will taste. In addition, a bean-to- cup machine can automatically heat and texturize milk for your drink, which means there's no need to have separate appliances for steaming and frothering.
Maintenance
Bean to cup machines are simple to use and convenient. They permit staff to serve many different beverages. They do require more care and attention as compared to capsule models. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for daily wipe down cleaning, and more thorough weekly cleaning and descaling. This will help ensure consistency in quality, keep high standards for safety and hygiene and save money over the long term by ensuring that your machine lasts longer.
Regular cleaning and descaling of your coffee maker will also safeguard its components. The best coffee machines use an automatic rinse cycle that helps prevent limescale. If coffee bean coffee machines allow limescale to build in the pipes of your coffee maker it could cause blockage of heating elements and a reduction in water flow. In extreme instances the heating element might cease to function altogether.
The steam pipe that is used for milk frothing needs to be cleaned daily as the milk residue can block it. This can allow bacteria to flourish and result in an unpleasant and stale flavor in your espresso. You should also remember to empty and clean the drip tray and dreg drawers on regular basis. Certain bean-to-cup coffee machines come with separate specific cleaning tablets like our own brand or those manufactured by Jura or Franke, which can be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.