The warming and bitter tang of fresh coffee is the smell that many of us need to get up in the morning. Even better when it’s coming from a Jura machine, which intelligently brews the bean for the silkiest cup of espresso. Jura machines are high quality equipment, and they deserve the best beans around.
Although the Jura can do great things with lower quality coffee beans, they really deserve a roast with the quality to match. Oily or bad beans will clog up the machine, ruining your expensive investment. The best beans work with your machine and your taste buds, to create the ideal morning brew.
Finding that perfect roast can be a matter of trial and error. In this guide, we’ve sorted through the bad to bring you seven of the very best options. Pick your favorite, and ensure that every morning starts off just right.
Contents
- 7 Best Coffee Beans for Jura Machines
- Lavazza Super Crema, Whole Bean Coffee Blend, Medium Espresso Roast
- Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso, Whole Bean Coffee
- Stumptown Coffee Roaster, Hair Bender Whole Bean Coffee
- Verena Street Coffee, Shot Tower, Espresso Whole Bean
- Kicking Horse Coffee, Cliff Hanger Espresso, Medium Roast Whole Bean
- Koffee Kult Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roasted
- Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast, Whole Bean Coffee
- Buyers Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of beans should I use in my Jura?
7 Best Coffee Beans for Jura Machines
Lavazza Super Crema, Whole Bean Coffee Blend, Medium Espresso Roast
It’s hard to deny that the Italians know how to make espresso, especially when you’re enjoying the smooth taste of Lavazza Super Crema. That dash of extra crema is what sets these beans apart, making each sip sit perfectly on the tongue.
Unlike other coffee makers, Lavazza has embraced the punch of Robusta beans. This mixed blend is made of 60% Arabica, and 40% Robusta. That gives the coffee a little extra kick, and some fresh layers of complexity. The medium roast is balanced by flavors of hazelnut and brown sugar, for an aroma that lifts straight out of the cup. For a non-flavored coffee, it has a surprising sweetness, before that final bitter note lingers on the tongue. It’s difficult to resist a second cup.
If you’ve splashed out on a Jura machine, whether it’s for yourself or for company, you want to make the most of it. This Lavazza roast is incredibly adaptable. It can be used for espressos, but it also makes a well-balanced latte or cappuccino. The heft of the beans can stand up to any addition of milk and sugar.
Pros
- Adaptable – Good for espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos.
- Espresso machine ready – This roast was designed specifically for use in an espresso machine.
- Extra Crema – An additional splash of creamy smoothness.
- Made in a nut-free environment.
Cons
- Bold – Some will find the additional Robusta beans makes this too sharp for an espresso.
Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso, Whole Bean Coffee
If you’re looking to try something different, Intelligentsia is a name well known by coffee aficionados, even if they aren’t yet a grocery store staple. The Black Cat Espresso is the best of their range, thanks to the dark and complex flavoring. A real treat of a brew,
Intelligentsia has considered every part of the coffee process, from how it’s grown to the taste left on your tongue. That’s resulted in expertly made coffee, farmed by working directly with local communities.
The Black Cat espresso packs some surprising flavors into each cup. The notes of coffee and brown sugar gives an extra sweetness, rounded out by the warmth of stone fruits. It finishes with a slight cherry tang, which complements the bitterness. 100% Arabica beans are used to give smooth flavoring.
Intelligentsia have made a delicious blend with a clarity of taste, but it might be a little light for some. It’s a medium roast, and seems to lean more towards the light side of medium than the dark. For many, the slighter punch is made up for with the superb flavoring. However, if you like your espresso with the toast of a dark roast, then this isn’t the bean for you.
Pros
- Flavoring – Sweet cherry and dark chocolate come together to create a roast that’s extra special.
- Direct Trade – Intelligentsia works directly with coffee farmers to ensure good practice.
- Finish – Feels smooth in the mouth, and sits just right on the tongue.
Cons
- Lighter roast – For some, this won’t have the dark espresso taste they’re after.
Stumptown Coffee Roaster, Hair Bender Whole Bean Coffee
Stumptown are coffee makers with a dedicated following. Operating out of Portland, Oregon, they’ve built up a fan base who swear by Hair Bender for their morning cup.
The detail that sets this coffee apart is the blend of regions from which they source their coffee. The Hair Bender features beans from all corners of the globe. Smooth Indonesian beans are mixed with sharpness from Latin American beans, and the brightness of African beans, to give a rounded cup.
The flavoring is exquisite as well. A mixture of rich dark chocolate and the sharp sour of citrus gives Stumptown the unique bitter tang that’s loved by so many. Each mouthful finishes with the burst of citrus, for a clean mouth feel. Complexity balances with clarity for an all around great roast.
Stumptown has created a pretty versatile bean as well. It’s great for a morning espresso, where the sweet finish pairs perfectly with breakfast pastries. Otherwise, we recommend trying it for an Americano. It packs in just enough flavor, without becoming too bitter or too bland.
Another advantage to the Stumptown beans is they stay fresh for 90 days in the pack. Freshly roasted beans are put into specially sealed bags, so you can keep them for longer.
- Pros
- Citrus flavor – A clarifying edge to a complex blend.
- B Corp certified – A brand with a focus on sustainability.
- Innovative blends – The globally sourced beans come together for a richly flavored cup.
Cons
- Milder – Stumptown lacks the full-body punch of some other blends.
Verena Street Coffee, Shot Tower, Espresso Whole Bean
The rich and buttery flavor of Verena Street Shot Tower coffee is the perfect thing for a lazy Sunday morning. Verena Street is a small, family run business who operate out of Iowa, and aim to create coffee with a layer of comfort. The roasted complexity mixed with the sweet and smooth crema means they’ve done just that.
Verena Street is a great coffee if you want to appeal to a wide range of tastes. The roast is heavy enough to be bold, but the crema softens the edges. It tastes especially good with a dash of cream, for those mornings when you have nowhere else to be.
Verena Street uses Arabica beans of differing origins, craft roasted to release the unique taste. Small batches are roasted regularly to ensure that your beans are of optimum freshness.
These beans are Rainforest Alliance Certified, and certified Kosher as well. Verena Street is dedicated to sustainability, helping to support the land where the coffee is grown.
If there’s one issue, Verena Street can tend towards the oily side. It most likely won’t be a problem, but in some cases it could cause clogging.
Pros
- Rich taste – There’s a real note of butter to this roast, which makes it feel extra luxurious.
- Small batch roasted – Every bag is packaged fresh, and there’s no stock hanging around.
- Kosher – Suitable for those who keep kosher.
- Rainforest Alliance Certified – Verena Street is dedicated to sustainable farming.
Cons
- Slightly oily – The beans can be oily, which isn’t ideal for a Jura.
Kicking Horse Coffee, Cliff Hanger Espresso, Medium Roast Whole Bean
If you’re after an espresso that feels like an espresso, then you might be pleasantly surprised by the medium roast of Kicking Horse. It tastes almost dark, with a strong aroma to match.
The first thing you’ll want to do when you’ve brewed up a cup of this is to take a deep inhale. The aromas of blackcurrant and milk chocolate rise up to greet. The sip at first builds on this chocolate depth, before introducing a wild berry syrup flavor. It’s well-rounded, with a smooth finish that has just that kick of bitterness.
If the flavor wasn’t enough to do it for you, then Kicking Horse’s wide range of certification might help. They’re organic, Fair Trade, and fully committed to sustainability. And the beans are certified kosher!
Cliff Hanger has a decent amount of body to it, which makes it a good choice for lattes and cappuccinos. If you’re someone who enjoys your drinks with a dash of syrup, the sweet fruit and chocolate flavoring of Kicking Horse might be right for you. The bitterness is toned by the addition of milk, but the strength still comes through.
Pros
- Sustainable – Kicking Horse works hard to ensure their coffee is grown responsibly.
- Finish – The smooth finish is enhanced by the complex flavor.
- Aroma – Mouth watering before you’ve had your first sip.
Cons
- Potentially oily – Sometimes Kicking Horse does lean toward oily.
Koffee Kult Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roasted
Dark roasted coffee beans are ideal for espresso because they give sweetness while removing acidity. This Koffee Kult blend is some of the best dark roast out there, with a sweetness that lingers throughout your morning.
The bright clarity of Koffee Kult is part of what makes it so popular, but it’s the perfect balance that we think sets it apart. There’s the immediate bite of bitterness that fades into a long-lasting sweetness. The rich chocolate flavors dance with a twist of cinnamon. And the dark, heavy body is sharpened with clarity.
Koffee Kult is roasted in small batches, and immediately packaged to ensure beans with absolutely no oil. They could quickly become your Jura’s new best friend, if you enjoy an espresso with depth.
The only downside to Koffee Kult is that the lack of oil means there isn’t much crema. If that smooth finish is important to you, then Koffee Kult may not be quite right.
Pros
- Balance – Every element of this roast is perfectly balanced by another.
- Lingering sweetness – Koffee Kult doesn’t finish bitter, instead the sweet notes stick to the tongue.
- Small batch – Small roasts guarantee a lack of oil, and a perfect blend.
Cons
- Low crema – It doesn’t have the thick, creamy finish of oilier brands.
Starbucks Espresso Dark Roast, Whole Bean Coffee
Sometimes, you just have to go with the classics. Starbucks has become a shorthand for what many of us consider to be good coffee. These beans will make your kitchen feel just like your favorite coffee shop (without the queues).
What makes this bean so good is the delightful notes of caramel and molasses. It gives an espresso just that hint of sweetness, but with deeper undertones. The crema is also pretty fantastic as well, for a smooth finish that lingers.
If you like to use your Jura to make a whole range of coffee types, then it’s hard to go wrong with this Starbucks option. It makes an espresso with a kick, but also goes well with cream and syrup. For those who like to experiment with their morning cup, the caramel flavoring of the beans works with almost anything – and the dark roast means the coffee taste doesn’t get lost.
The Starbucks does have a slightly oilier bean, which is what gives the great crema. However, if you have a particularly sensitive machine, it could cause problems.
Pros
- Adaptable – Great beans for espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, and syrups.
- Ethically sourced – Starbucks works closely with the growers.
- Consistent quality – You know exactly what you’re getting with every bag of Starbucks coffee.
Cons
- Slightly oilier – The result is a great crema, but it can cause problems for the machine.
Buyers Guide
If you’ve just purchased a Jura, then you want to know the coffee that you’re buying is up to the standard the machine deserves. This buyer’s guide helps you to pick the best coffee to start your day right.
Oily beans
Oily coffee beans tend to be a good sign, because it indicates that the bean has been very recently roasted. It’s also what gives espresso crema – that thick and creamy layer that forms on top. However, excess oil clogs up the Jura machine’s inner workings. Look for beans with less oil, to avoid issues.
Arabica or Robusta
There are two types of coffee bean: Arabica, and Robusta. Arabica tends to be preferred, as it has a less bitter taste compared to the power of Robusta, and a lower caffeine level. Many high quality brands use 100% Arabica beans, for a smooth flavor with a bite that won’t scare you away. However, a few roasters do like to mix in Robusta, for a really powerful cup. 100% Robusta coffee does exist, but it tends to be used for cheap, instant coffee.
Espresso beans
The beans to use in a Jura are espresso beans, because that’s the kind of coffee the machine brews (even if you use this espresso shot to make another drink). Espresso beans tend to be roasted for longer, which lowers the acidity and bitterness. This long roast also gives a deep flavor, so every shot is full of power.
Roast
There are 4 types of coffee roast: light, medium, medium dark, and dark. This refers to how long the bean has been heated for. Light is more acidic, and dark is richer. For espressos, medium to dark roasted beans are preferred, with some drinkers only enjoying a dark roast. If you aren’t sure what you prefer, the best way to find out is to try different types!
Tasting notes
Tasting notes are those rich flavors that sit on your tongue, and add layers of complexity to a cup. Some prefer espresso with a sharp citrus finish, and others prefer a rounded, sweeter flavor. These tasting notes are part of what sets the very best beans apart.
Ethical sourcing
Growing and harvesting coffee requires time, land, water, and labor. All coffee brands should be doing what they can to ensure the beans they use are sustainably sourced, and harvested by workers who are compensated fairly.
Flavored coffee?
Do not put flavored coffee into your Jura machine, unless you’re interested in breaking it quickly. The flavored coating will clog up the mechanism, and absolutely ruin the delicate insides. If you want flavored coffee, look for something like the Lavazza Super Crema, which has notes of hazelnut. Otherwise, stick to adding syrups at the other end.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Jura machine?
A Jura is an automatic coffee machine that uses whole beans to create bold flavored coffee. Whole beans are placed into the machine, and ground fresh for the perfect cup.
Does it matter what type of coffee beans I put in my Jura?
Yes, because the wrong bean can cause issues for the machine. For a start, you need to be sure you’re buying whole beans, as this is what the Jura is designed for. Secondly, you want to avoid oily beans, which can clog the mechanism. Espresso beans, with a medium to dark roast, are best for creating the rich flavoring of a coffee shot.
What type of beans should I use in my Jura?
Jura machines use whole coffee beans to create their brew. Medium to dark roasted espresso beans work best, and never use any coated in flavoring. All the rest is a matter of personal taste!
