Why does a bean-to-cup machine need special beans?
A bean-to-cup machine works differently from a portafilter machine. The contact time between water and coffee is shorter. The grind size is set internally, the brew temperature is preset. That means: every bean has to deliver immediately.
Industrially roasted beans are often over-roasted. They mask off-flavours but bring hardly any complexity. Specialty coffees that are too lightly roasted, on the other hand, quickly develop acidity in a bean-to-cup machine that becomes unpleasant. The sweet spot lies in between – and that is exactly where we roast.
Our bean-to-cup machine beans undergo a medium to medium-dark drum roast. Slowly guided. At least 16 minutes – often a little longer, depending on the origin. The result: rounded aromas, natural sweetness, a full body – without bitterness.
At SAMYJU, we roast coffee that is specifically designed to work in bean-to-cup machines – with a roast profile tuned to the fast extraction and high pressure of these machines. Fresh, in small batches, directly in our roastery in Meerbusch.
Bean-to-cup machine beans from SAMYJU: What makes them different?
The Origin
We source our green coffees directly from farmers we know personally. Central and South America, Asia, Africa, Oceania – depending on the blend and season. No anonymous commodity coffee.
The Roast
Small batches on our drum roaster. No hot-air industrial roasting in 90 seconds. We take the time for sugars to caramelise and aromas to develop.
The Freshness
We roast regularly and ship quickly. Your coffee does not come from a warehouse where it sat for months. It comes from a roastery where green beans were still lying just last week.
Which coffee suits your bean-to-cup machine?
That depends on what you drink. Espresso lovers reach for our bold espresso blend with notes of chocolate, nut and a hint of caramel. If you prefer café crème or lungo, our balanced house blend is the perfect companion – mild, aromatic, with a fine crema.
And if you are the adventurous type: our single origins also work in bean-to-cup machines. Give it a try!
Grind size and settings: How to get the most out of it
Grind size
Most bean-to-cup machines come from the factory set too coarse. Turn the grind size finer – step by step. One to two steps per day, until the espresso runs slower and the crema becomes denser.
Brew Temperature
Set it to the highest level. Freshly roasted coffee can handle it. The higher temperature extracts more aromas and delivers a fuller flavour.
Coffee Amount
If your machine has a strength setting, choose at least the second-highest. More beans per extraction means more body and more aroma.
Water Hardness
Water that is too high in limescale kills aromas. A simple water filter in the tank makes a noticeable difference.
Freshly roasted beats long-stored
Coffee is a fresh product. After roasting, a countdown begins. In the first two to four weeks, the coffee develops its full potential. After that, the aroma fades. The crema becomes thinner. The flavour loses depth.
Supermarket coffee often has a best-before date that lies 18 months in the future. That tells you how old the beans already were at the time of packaging. At SAMYJU, you get the best-before date on every pack. No guessing.
We have been roasting coffee for years with the aspiration that every cup is something special. In our roastery in Meerbusch, you can watch us roast, taste coffee and get personal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions – Coffee for Bean-to-Cup Machines
Medium to medium-dark roasts work best. They deliver rounded aromas without bitterness and produce a dense crema. At SAMYJU, we roast specifically for the fast extraction in bean-to-cup machines.
In most cases, yes. Many bean-to-cup machines come from the factory set too coarse. We recommend adjusting the grind size gradually finer – one to two steps per day – until the crema becomes denser and the espresso runs slower.
Yes, absolutely. Our single origins bring exciting flavour profiles in a bean-to-cup machine as well – from fruity-berry to nutty-chocolatey. It is well worth experimenting.
We recommend whole beans for maximum freshness. Bean-to-cup machines have an integrated grinder – freshly ground always tastes best.