Bean to Cup Machines
No matter if you're looking for silky frothy cappuccinos or rich espresso, a coffee-to-cup machine can provide a barista-style beverage. This is especially true of those that have a milk carafe and automatically dispense perfectly texturized milk to top your coffee.
But there are a few other things to consider before committing to a purchase.
Quality
The quality of coffee is a factor based on what you're looking for in your coffee. There's a growing band of coffee lovers who place the quality of their espresso over other aspects of their beverage and, fortunately there's many good machine that can provide.
The majority of bean-to-cup machines are capable of producing cappuccino, latte and cortado and flat white, as well as basic black coffees, such as americano and filter coffee. A good machine will have adjustable grind settings that let you modify the flavor and intensity of your coffee. bean to cup coffee machines should also come with an espresso wand that can steam milk for those who prefer lattes that are creamy, or capspuccinos.
While some bean to cup machines are fully automated, as far as the espresso is concerned however, the majority of machines require some manual work from the user to produce milk-based drinks. This is usually the case with the best mid-range and top-end machines, but there are some which can make milky drinks at the push of a button.
For instance the Sage Oracle & Oracle Touch are among the top bean-to-cup machines in terms of shot quality, but they don't come close to what a traditional espresso machine under the supervision of a professional home barista can accomplish. The Gaggia Navigation is a moderate choice that can still make a great cup of coffee. It also comes with the added benefit of being the easiest machine to clean I've ever tested.
Convenience
A bean to cup machine grinds and extracts the coffee beans in the order that is required. This helps to improve taste since the longer a ground coffee is left to sit, the more it oxidizes.
The oxidation reduces the intensity of flavour It's therefore important to only grind coffee beans when you're ready to make the perfect espresso drink or hot chocolate. The best bean-to-cup machines also come with an option that stops you from making a whole batch of brews until you've cleaned out the internal grinders' bin.
Bean-to-cup machines use very little water, in contrast to traditional espresso machines that typically waste water by forcing too much water through the portafilter and overflowing the chamber. They employ a thermoblock which heats only the water they require instead of pouring it onto the grounds.
If you're looking for an all-inclusive cappuccino, espresso or latte experience from your automatic coffee machine look for models that have an integrated milk system that can heat and texturize the milk to the desired consistency before dispense it into your beverage. Some of the more bespoke models allow you to adjust the temperature, texture and foam level of your drinks.
Versatility
A bean-to-cup machine is a great choice for companies who want to offer their clients and staff with top quality coffee drinks with the touch of the button. These machines, as the name implies, grind and pour coffee directly into the cup. You can prepare espresso or flat white, cappuccino, or long black at the touch of a screen. They can also incorporate a milk frother that provides soft, texturized milk for those who prefer it in their drinks.
This versatility is what makes a bean to cup machine such a popular choice for businesses such as offices, car dealerships and beauty salons who need to serve a wide array of preferences. Bean to cup coffee machines are easy to use by anyone, in contrast to traditional espresso machines in commercial settings that require a barista in order to operate. This convenience eliminates the need to learn and saves the cost of staff salaries.
Additionally the beans are roasted immediately before making a beverage, therefore they are always fresh and bursting with flavour. The taste of ground beans begins to fade after a few moments, so the faster they are consumed more frequently, the better it will taste. Finally, a bean to cup coffee machine can automatically heat and texturize the milk for your drink, which means there's no need to have separate appliances for steaming and foaming.
Maintenance
Bean to cup machines provide a simple, easy-to use coffee experience that allows staff to serve a range of beverages. They do require a bit more attention and care as compared to capsule models. Follow the directions from the manufacturer of your machine to ensure every day cleaning with a cloth and a more thorough cleaning and descaling every week. This will ensure quality consistency, maintain high safety and hygiene standards and will save you money over the long term by making your machine last longer.
Regular cleaning and descaling of your coffee machine will also help protect its parts. This is because the best coffee machine manufacturers use an automatic rinse cycle that helps to prevent the build-up of limescale. Leaving limescale to form inside the pipes of the commercial coffee machine could lead to blocked heating elements as well as reduced flow of water. In severe cases the heating element could cease to function altogether.
It is also important to clean the steam pipe used for milk frothing on a daily basis because it could become blocked by milk residue. This could allow bacteria to grow, which can lead to a stale and unpleasant taste in your espresso. Also, make sure you empty the drip tray and dreg compartment on a regular schedule. Some bean-to-cup coffee machines include separate cleaning tablets. These are used according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
