How Do Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines Work?

Coffee has become an essential part of our daily life. The first cup of hot coffee in the morning is like a kick-starter for our day, which is why we buy different types of coffee machines for our homes–like bean-to-cup coffee machines–so that we can make delicious coffee whenever we want.

Bean-to-cup machines have become increasingly popular in recent years (just check out this bean-to-cup coffee machine roundup!), with the public moving away from their familiar coffee shops and toward brewing at home. This may seem like an odd choice, but as many people opted for at-home options during the pandemic, they realized that there are actually a number of advantages to bean-to-cup coffee machines. 

In this post, we will take a look at what a bean to cup coffee machine is, how it actually works, and everything else you’ll need to know about this handy gadget.

What Is a Bean-to-Cup Machine?

A bean-to-cup coffee machine is a great way to make your favorite drink. These machines have an integrated grinder that grinds coffee beans perfectly, so your coffee is always made freshly using your favorite beans.

There are many models of these machines that come with a milk carafe, which dispenses steamed milk into your coffee to create barista-style drinks with minimal effort. The milk carafe is often removable, so you can place it in the fridge between coffee breaks to keep it fresh and prevent the milk from tasting sour.

For the coffee aficionados who enjoy coffee with a bit of variation or specific preferences, you might want to try a bean-to-cup machine equipped with a steam wand. The machines grind coffee beans and brew through methods, such as espresso, lungo, and americano.

However, the milk carafe isn’t automated in most bean-to-cup coffee machines, which means you will need to heat your milk to your preferred temperature and mix it to fit your taste.

How a Bean-to-Cup Machine Works

If you’re a coffee-lover, you’ve probably wondered how a bean-to-cup machine works–is it magic or science? 

Bean Storage/Hopper

Bean-to-cup machines often come with a hopper where you add your favorite coffee beans. After choosing your preferred coffee flavor, the machine automatically grinds the right amount of coffee beans to match your preferred brew and flavor. Because coffee beans are quite perishable, most bean-to-cup coffee machines are equipped with an airtight bean hopper that protects the coffee beans from oxidation, direct sunlight, and moisture.

Bean Grinder

One of the unique features of bean-to-cup machines is the ability to grind fresh beans,  which ensures that you get the best and most original taste from your favorite coffee beans.

The grinder is manually controlled using a dial, for many brands, or through a touch screen, which is seen in more expensive or advanced machines. For a tasty cup of coffee, many start with a medium grind level–but the more refined your coffee taste, the longer the brew time.

Brewing Unit

The brewing unit is where all the magic happens. In this unit, the ground coffee is compacted tightly before water is able to filter through. This compacting process is also known as ‘tamping.’

The compacting process is necessary when brewing espresso, as it slows the water flow through the coffee. That slower flow of water allows for sufficient time for all the flavors of the grounds to be thoroughly extracted.

The Water Boiler

Some bean-to-cup machines are equipped with two boilers, with one boiler meant for making espresso and the other for making steam. The boilers are used to raise water to the required temperature.

After the right temperature has been reached, water is pumped out from the tank and forced through the ground coffee at a high pressure– most machines work at 15 bars of pressure, but should be reaching at least nine bars.

Milk Carafe

One of the features that most automatic machines have is a milk carafe. This container fills up with milk, and the machine will heat and texturize it to your liking and then dispense it into your cup on top of the espresso shot. 

In summary, bean-to-cup machines allow you to have total control in brewing your favorite caffeinated drink in a simplistic and convenient way. With these machines, you can control your coffee’s strength, temperature, and size–even if you don’t have any serious coffee brewing skills.If you are looking to purchase a bean-to-coffee machine and aren’t sure where to start, contact us today. Additionally, if you’d like more information about using pre-ground coffee with your bean-to-cup machine and the best things to put in your coffee, we’ve got you covered!