GROUP TEST COFFEE MACHINES
It must have bean love
Why grind your own when an automatic bean-to-cup machine will make perfect coffee from scratch? Six of the hottest models go on test…
LISTEN TO YOUR SMART: HOW TO CHOOSE
● Some coffee machines are more automatic than others. A super-automatic type will do it all, including milk-frothing; others offer more control and options, but need more upkeep.
● If you can’t resist a shot of caramel syrup in your latte macchiato, you might want to consider a fancy machine with a sweet foam function.
● If someone in your household is on decaf, or you just enjoy sleeping properly, consider a model with two bean hoppers so you can make coffee with or without caffeine.
● Most modern machines are made with ease of cleaning and descaling in mind. Look out for dishwasher-safe parts and self-clean options.
● The only downside to becoming your own barista can be losing worktop space – so make sure you check the dimensions, allowing access space for the bean hopper and water tank.
[ Words Dan Grabham ]
Sage Oracle Jet
What’s the story?
Sold under the Breville brand outside the UK, the Oracle Jet is a high-end experience for those who still want to have a little bit of a hand in making their coffee. Much of the process is automatic, but the preparation of the brown stuff is partly controlled by you – grounds are dispensed into a portafilter (just like in a proper coffee shop), which you then move across the machine to make your drink.
There’s an excellent 5in touchscreen to guide you through the process of making 11 pre-programmed options. It can even make cold brew coffee, but it’s ambient temperature as there’s no way to chill it.
Is it any good?
In reality, there isn’t a whole lot of manual input here: the machine even tamps the grounds for you.
I did enjoy frothing up my own milk, but this and the portafilter feel like token efforts when so much of what the Oracle Jet does is automated anyway. The screen guides you through everything wonderfully, but it feels like your hand is held to such an extent that you might as well have got a fully automatic machine instead. Plus emptying out the filter soon becomes a chore.