You’ve officially invested in a Breville espresso, but you’re now wondering what beans will actually make your Breville espresso taste like a café-quality shot? Breville machines are powerful but rely on quality beans and equipment to truly shine. In this article, we’ll talk about the best coffee beans for Breville Espresso Machines and discuss ideal bean types, roast levels, bean origins, and grind considerations for Breville’s extraction system.
What Makes a Coffee Bean Work Well with Breville Machines?
In the next section, we’ll discuss how Breville’s extraction system, roast level, and bean consistency work together to create the best brew.
Breville’s extraction system and why it matters
Some home espresso machines still rely on a process called thermoblock for extraction, but Breville machines rely on either dual boiler or thermocoil setups. Let’s talk about why that matters:
-
Thermoblock is where water flows through pre-heated metal chambers.
-
Thermocoils use a tube, which creates more consistent pressure and temperature regulation for your coffee beans.
-
Built-in grinders in Breville machines need medium to dark beans that aren’t too oily.
-
The key to Breville’s pressurized baskets is that your beans need to be able to match the pressure.
-
Pressure controls water flow through coffee grounds during extraction. Perfect pressure leads to a consistent shot with the right balance of flavors and crema, the signature foam we all associate with espresso.
Why Medium to Dark Roast is Preferred
With Breville home Espresso machines, the built-in grinder works best with medium and medium-dark roasts, but you can also dial in your machine for light roasts. Here’s how each roast will work with an espresso machine:
Light Roasts
-
May taste sour or under-extracted
-
Requires extra practice to make a shot that is balanced and not overly acidic
-
Require a higher brewing temperature
Medium Roast
-
Preserves natural flavors of the bean while providing a balance of acidity and sweetness
-
Good choice for espresso with bright, fruity, or chocolatey notes
Medium-Dark Roast
-
Enhanced caramelization and body, resulting in fuller, richer espresso with slight bitterness
-
Balance of crema, sweetness, and mouthfeel
Dark Roast
-
Bold espresso with low acidity and strong notes of chocolate, caramel, or smoky notes
-
Works well with milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos
Avoiding oily beans and flavor flatness
When choosing your coffee beans, you want to make sure you avoid oily beans and flavor flatness. Here are some reasons why:
-
Oily beans can clog grinders and affect dosing consistency
-
Dry out oily beans by mixing them with a lighter roast in an airtight ceramic container
-
Very old or super-dark beans may lead to flat, bitter shots
-
Freshness of beans and paying attention to roast dates are key to avoiding flatness
When you want to make the most of your coffee beans, make sure to use the most high-quality extraction tools from Pesado.
Best Coffee Types and Origins for Breville Espresso
In the next section, we’ll talk about when to use single origin vs. blend, specific origin recommendations, and some general bean tips.
Espresso Bean Comparison: single origin vs blend
Single-origin and blend are both valid choices for espresso, but your choice depends on the flavor profile you want to achieve. That said, single-origin beans can be harder to perfect. Let’s talk about each of these beans:
Single-Origin Beans
-
They come from specific countries or regions and have distinct flavor notes that are representative of their growing environment.
-
Can have tasting notes like citrus, floral, or berry-like flavors
-
Not always the best balance for espresso because they have a sharp acidity
Coffee Blends
-
Come from multiple regions to create a balanced and consistent flavor profile
-
Leads to smooth, well-rounded espresso with crema
-
Can have tasting notes like chocolate, nutty, and caramel
-
Easiest for beginners
Origin recommendations (Colombia, Ethiopia, Sumatra)
With Breville espresso machines, you want beans that assist with extraction for a well-balanced shot, can help prevent clogging in the grinder and portafilter, and ensure crema. Here are some single-origin recommendations that could work well for espresso:
Colombia
-
Known for balanced sweetness, acidity, and body
-
Chocolate and fruity undertones work well with Breville’s automatic dosing function
-
Ideal for both straight shots and milk-based drinks
Ethiopia
-
Floral and fruity, better for experienced brewers who can dial in light roasts
-
Flavors are enhanced when using double shots
-
Works best with lower pressure
Sumatra
-
Bold and earthy, great for milk drinks
-
Unique coffee-processing tradition called Giling Basah
Freshness, grind consistency, and bean prep tips
When making espresso, there are some specificities related to freshness, grind consistency, and bean prep that you should keep in mind. Here are a few:
Freshness
-
Make sure to use beans that are brewed within 2-4 weeks of roasting them
Consistency
-
Always grind fresh beans, adjust the grind size based on your desired shot time, and crema.
-
Use dry, medium-density beans for best results.
When you’re using the most high-quality beans, always make sure to use the most premium distribution implements when brewing your favorite espresso.
Get the Most Out of Every Breville Shot
When you’re equipped with an understanding of your Breville machine, you’ll be able to dial into the exact kind of espresso you were always imagining. For best results, try pairing your machine with medium-dark, fresh beans that are known to deliver the crema, flavor, and low oil content that leads to the brew you want and the process that will keep your Breville Espresso Machine thrumming away.
Your ideal espresso won’t be automatic, but try experimenting with a few bean types to find the proper brew. And when you need to attain the best shot quality, make sure that you use tools like Pesado’s line of distributors and filter baskets to guarantee even extraction and consistent pressure.
