Bean to Cup Coffee Machines

Bean-to-cup coffee machines prepare aromatic and delicious coffee with the touch of a button. Coffee brewing appliances of this type make use of espresso technology and integrated coffee grinders, so beans are ground separately for each cup of coffee. By pressing a couple of buttons, you can enjoy various coffee drinks daily — with no additional effort involved! The “Coffee Friend” assortment includes a variety of different bean-to-cup coffee machines, yet all of them have been picked out with one goal in mind: to enable every coffee lover to find the best coffee machine for their home or office.   

Numerous Drink Recipes in One Coffee Machine 

Nowadays, there’s a wide range of bean-to-cup coffee machines on the market. Some bean-to-cup machines prepare black coffee drinks only, such as espresso, the familiar black coffee, as well as espresso lungo, ristretto or americano. Other coffee brewing appliances are not limited to black coffee and can prepare milk-based drinks too. An integrated milk system enables these machines to make milky coffee drinks that so many of us know and love, namely latte and cappuccino. Fully automatic coffee machines boast an even wider variety of different recipes, while some of them can prepare more than 20 different coffee beverages. They also allow users to adjust recipes to their liking, as well as save them. In the end, it all depends on the type of the integrated milk system. We discuss these types in more detail below.  

Different Milk Systems: From Steam Wands to Automatic Operation

Several different types of milk systems can be found in bean-to-cup coffee machines — from steam milk frothers to integrated milk containers. To help you choose the best appliance for you, we’ll review the most frequently encountered milk systems, as well as their key differences:  

Steam milk frother

Steam milk frothers, or steam wands, are considered to be the classic milk frothing devices, which is why they’re used in cafés so often.  The principle of their operation is fairly simple: the wand is immersed in the milk and hot steam is switched on. With the help of air and hot steam, the milk is heated, while slight movements of the cup help froth the milk and create milk foam, beloved by millions of people around the globe. In order to use the steam milk frother correctly, you’ll need some specialised knowledge and practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find the whole process extremely simple. 

If you want to feel like a true home barista, Coffee Friends recommend taking a look at coffee machines produced by Philips or De‘Longhi.

Automatic milk system

The automatic milk system froths milk and produces milk foam all by itself. All you have to do is choose the desired coffee drink and press a button — milk will be frothed and poured straight into your cup automatically. However, it’s worth pointing out that automatic milk systems are divided into a couple of different types as well: they can be equipped with a tube or an integrated milk container. What’s the difference? 

• The tube of the automatic milk system can be connected to a special milk container, immersed in a milk jug or even put straight into a milk packet. Because of this, milk systems of this type are universal. The other end of the tube can be connected directly to the spout, allowing frothed milk to flow straight into your cup. In addition, the newest coffee machine models have an integrated function for the rinsing and cleaning of the milk system — simply press a button and the milk system, along with the tube, will be thoroughly rinsed. 
• Milk frothing systems with integrated containers are encountered most frequently in bean-to-cup coffee machines produced by Italian manufacturers. All you have to do is fill the container with milk and choose the desired drink. The key advantage here is the fact that once you’re finished preparing drinks, you can easily remove the milk container from the machine and keep it in the fridge. 

If you’re looking for a coffee machine with an automatic milk system, Coffee Friends recommend scouring the shelves of  Melitta, Philips or De‘Longhi.

Adjusting Drinks to Your Liking

Most bean-to-cup coffee machines found on the shelves of “Coffee Friend” are equipped with an additional function that our clients particularly value. It’s the possibility of adjusting the settings of the machine, tailoring drinks to individual tastes and saving adapted recipes. Modern bean-to-cup coffee machines allow their users to change drink strength, coffee bean grind level, milk foam consistency and even water temperature. This not only enables you to design a drink that suits your personal taste to a T, but also results in a fun, creative process, which allows you to constantly experiment with new flavours. 

Two Drinks at Once

This is another reason why bean-to-cup coffee machines are so popular nowadays. They allow us to save some precious time and spend more of it simply enjoying coffee or chatting with friends or colleagues. In addition to preparing two black coffee drinks at once, some bean-to-cup coffee machines are capable of making two milk-based beverages simultaneously! If you choose a coffee machine of this type, you’ll be able to make two portions of delicious latte, cappuccino, hot chocolate or a different milk-based drink at the touch of a single button. 

This function is integrated in most bean-to-cup coffee machines sold at “Coffee Friend”, including models produced by Melitta, De‘Longhi, Philips.

Fit for Cups of Various Sizes

Most bean-to-cup coffee machines are equipped with an adjustable coffee spout, which can be easily adapted to cups of various heights. This is why these coffee brewing appliances have millions of fans all over the world. You have to agree that coffee always tastes better when you drink it from your favourite cup!

Smart Operation via an App

Some bean-to-cup coffee machines can be operated not only with the help of a control panel, but also via a special app downloaded onto a phone or tablet. These mobile apps allow you to create and program various recipes, save them on several different profiles and even track the progress of maintenance programs remotely. Keep in mind though that not all bean-to-cup coffee machines are equipped with this function — if you want to take advantage of this innovative operation method, you might have to spend some additional money on it. 

If you’re looking for a bean-to-cup coffee machine with a smart app, Coffee Friends recommend choosing coffee machines produced by  Siemens, or newer models manufactured by Melitta or De‘Longhi.

Features of Maintenance

Maintaining bean-to-cup coffee machines is much easier than taking care of other coffee brewing appliances. This is mostly because these coffee machines inform you about the need of cleaning with the help of special signals displayed on the control panel. You don’t have to constantly check the coffee grounds container, worry about the level of water in the tank or try to remember how many days have passed since the last time you descaled your machine. 

In addition, newer coffee machine models have automatic milk system cleaning programs — simply press a couple of buttons and your appliance will be cleaned to perfection in a matter of minutes! During the course of this program, rinsing and cleaning are usually performed, hence degreasing the surfaces of the machine and getting rid of bacteria. Maintenance seems a whole lot simpler when you don’t have to do it yourselves! 

Suited for Every Interior

Another aspect that deserves to be mentioned is the exceptional design of bean-to-cup coffee machines and the possibility of finding appliances suited perfectly for a variety of interiors. When looking for a coffee machine that fits the interior of your home, you can consider its colour and outer design, but Coffee Friends suggest paying attention to the type of the appliance too. Bean-to-cup coffee machines are divided into two categories: they can be built-in or free-standing. If you decide to go for a built-in appliance, it’s definitely a good idea to designate a spot for it in your kitchen and to take the indicated dimensions into account. On the other hand, free-standing coffee machines can be placed anywhere in your home kitchen.

If you have any questions about the size, dimensions, installation features or design characteristics of your chosen appliance, Coffee Friends are ready to provide you with answers and help you discover the coffee brewing appliance that is perfect for your home. 

Fit for Your Home and Business

Coffee Friends know full well that enjoying good coffee at home is simply not enough for true lovers of this drink. We want to remind you that bean-to-cup coffee machines are valued so highly not only because of numerous automated functions, but also because of their flexibility when it comes to different needs. For example, some bean-to-cup coffee machines are equipped with bigger containers, so they’re able to prepare larger amounts of coffee. This function definitely comes in handy in offices in hotels, where lots of coffee is prepared over the course of the day. 

How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine?

Coffee Friends are certain that there’s no such thing as the best coffee machine — when it comes to making a choice, it all depends on the individual needs of each coffee lover. Ask yourselves how much space you have in your kitchen and what kind of coffee you prepare most frequently: is it espresso, black coffee or milk-based coffee beverages? This will help you figure out which functions are the most important for you. As a result, you’ll be able to choose a coffee brewing appliance that can satisfy each and every one of your needs. We hope that your chosen bean-to-cup coffee machine will brighten your days with delicious coffee for years to come! 

Still struggling to choose or riddled with questions? Contact us via phone, e-mail or come and visit us in one of our stores! We’ll make you a cup of coffee and provide you with all possible answers.