Choosing the Right Coffee Machine for Your Business: Traditional, Instant, or Bean-to-Cup?
In this article, we will explore traditional, instant, and bean-to-cup coffee machines, weighing their benefits and limitations to help you make the best choice for your business.
People are at the heart of every business, and a happy, healthy workforce can make a huge difference to your team’s productivity. A great coffee machine can go a long way to bolstering team morale, and providing a friendly, collaborative meeting place.[1]
But with so many options, choosing the right coffee machine can be tricky. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at traditional, instant, and bean-to-cup coffee machines, weigh up the benefits and limitations, and help you make the best choice for your business.
A Brief History of Coffee Machines
Traditional coffee machines, often referred to as espresso machines, are commonly found in high-street coffee chains and independent cafés. These machines can be difficult to operate, as they use fresh coffee grounds, controlled water pressure, and steam wands to craft high-quality espresso-based drinks, like lattes and cappuccinos.
Machines like these have been around for over a hundred years. Throughout the latter part of the 19th century, coffee was becoming increasingly popular, but vendors had a problem – brewing coffee was a slow, painstaking process, leading to long wait times and unhappy customers.
In 1884, Italian inventor, Angelo Moriondo came up with a solution – a steam-powered espresso machine, which would revolutionise the way we consume coffee. Fast forward 140 years and the industry is booming, with coffee shops on every corner and a coffee machine in almost every kitchen.
Comparing Traditional, Instant, and Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines
Traditional Coffee Machines
These coffee makers are robust, reliable and great for handling high volumes. However, they may not be the most suitable choice for a fast-paced business environment. Traditional espresso machines, while versatile, can be difficult to operate, with longer prep times. They also require a skilled team who know how to adjust the grind and water pressure to get the best results. So, it may be worth exploring other options better suited to the demands, costs, and time constraints of your business.
Instant Coffee Machines
Unlike espresso machines, instant coffee makers are extremely fast and easy to use, with a lower upfront cost. Touch screen models, like NESCAFÉ’s Soluble Commercial Coffee Machines, are simple to fill, clean and maintain – perfect for an office setting.
Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines
If you’re looking to provide your employees with a more premium coffee experience, then a bean-to-cup machine is the way to go. They’re easy to operate, with freshly ground coffee in every cup, providing superior taste and flavour. NESCAFÉ offer a range of self-service bean-to-cup coffee machines, giving you and your staff coffee-shop-style beverages at the touch of a button.
| Feature | Traditional Coffee Machines | Instant Coffee Machines | Bean-to-Cup-Coffee Machines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee Quality | Best | Good | Best |
| Format of Coffee | Freshly ground | Instant | Freshly ground |
| Customisation | High | None | High |
| Speed | Paced | Fast | Fast |
| Ease of Use | Complex | Very Easy | Easy |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
| Cost (Upfront) | High | Moderate | High |
| Long-term Cost | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
What is a Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine?
A bean-to-cup coffee machine is an automated version of a traditional coffee machine. They take care of the entire process, from grinding the beans and frothing the milk to pouring a rich, aromatic cup of coffee.
How Does a Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine Work?
Bean-to-cup coffee machines are incredibly easy to use. Once you’ve added the beans, you simply press a button, and in a matter of seconds, you’ve got a delicious cup of café-quality coffee. But how does a bean-to-cup coffee machine work? As with any cup of coffee, it all starts with the beans.
1. Grinding: Bean-to-cup coffee machines come with a built-in grinder, so you get freshly ground beans with every cup that’s dispensed. Some machines allow you to adjust how finely or coarsely the beans are ground, giving you more control over flavour and aroma.
2. Measuring and tamping: After grinding the beans, the machine automatically measures the precise amount of coffee and tamps it down, ensuring it’s evenly compacted for optimal results.
3. Brewing: Hot water is then passed through the coffee grounds at the ideal temperature and pressure, to extract the full range of flavours.
4.Dispensing: From here, the machine can prepare a variety of different drinks – adding hot water to the espresso shot for an Americano or frothing milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
For consistent performance and longevity, it’s important to keep your bean-to-cup coffee maker clean and well-maintained. For some essential tips, you can watch our series of helpful ‘how to’ videos.
Advantages of Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines
So, are bean-to-cup coffee machines worth it? To help you decide, here are a few key benefits to investing in a bean-to-cup versus a traditional espresso machine.
- Quality and freshness: Bean-to-cup coffee makers grind the beans before brewing, so every cup is fresh and flavourful – and because the process is automated, you’ll get a consistent, quality drink every time.
- Ease of use: Unlike traditional coffee machines, bean-to-cup models are extremely simple to operate, with little or no training required.
- Convenience: With a bean-to-cup machine, you get high-quality, freshly brewed coffee with the convenience of a fully automated system.
- Cost: The NESCAFÉ Revenue Share model means zero upfront costs for your business, making it easier to manage spend. And with the right site placement, these models can also support profitability.
Making the Perfect Coffee with a Bean-to-Cup Machine
With the right bean-to-cup coffee maker, creating the perfect espresso, cappuccino, or americano couldn’t be easier. Here are a few simple steps to get you started.
Selecting the Right Coffee Beans
- Choose fresh coffee beans to achieve the optimal taste and aroma. With a NESCAFÉ bean-to-cup coffee maker, each drink is made using coffee beans. We recommend Selezione, which is Rainforest Alliance accredited.
- Medium to dark roasts are often considered best for bean-to-cup machines as they tend to brew at lower temperatures and use less coffee.
Customising the Grind and Strength
- Bean-to-cup machines offer customisable grind sizes and strength settings – a fine grind is perfect for espresso, while a coarser grind is better for drip coffee.
- Adjust the machine to suit your preferences and enjoy the perfect cup every time.
Achieving the Best Flavour
- Use filtered water to avoid impurities that could alter the taste.
- Remember to clean your machine regularly to prevent buildup that could affect flavour.
- Experiment with different beans and settings to find your perfect cup.
Keeping Your Machine in Top Condition
With a NESCAFÉ bean-to-cup coffee maker, you’re not just getting great coffee – you’re also getting expert support. Our team are on hand to help you get the most from your machine and show you how to look after it day to day, so it stays in perfect working order. And if anything does go wrong, our expert engineers at Mulmar are on hand to carry out any servicing or repairs. That means less hassle for you and consistently high-quality coffee for your staff.
[1] Business Reporter, Office dynamics and the need for a focal point
[2] https://www.nestleprofessional.co.uk/sustainability/nescafe
Choosing the Right Coffee Machine for Your Needs
Purchasing a coffee machine for your business can be expensive, so it’s important to do your homework. Here are a few key points to help you make the right choice.
- Size and Space: In many businesses, space comes at a premium, so before making a purchase, think carefully about where your coffee machine will sit, and choose one that fits comfortably in the designated area.
- Features: In a busy workplace, it’s important to provide great-tasting beverages with as little fuss as possible. NESCAFÉ bean-to-cup coffee machines are compact and easy to use and maintain, while still offering a wide variety of customisable drink settings.
- Price: Cost is, of course, a big mitigating factor, and you’ll need to offset any purchase against your budget. Remember to factor in long-term expenses, such as maintenance, lifespan, and the price of coffee beans or pods.
Common Questions and Considerations
Great Coffee for Your Staff and Your Business
The right coffee machine can help to transform the workplace experience, saving you time and money, and making your staff happier and more productive.1 By offering employees a café-style experience in your breakroom or kitchen, you can improve office morale and create a friendly meeting place, where people can collaborate, chat, and share ideas.1 Whether you opt for a traditional, instant, or bean-to-cup machine, remember, great coffee isn’t just a perk – it’s an investment in your team and your business.
1. Business Reporter, Office dynamics and the need for a focal point
2. https://www.nestleprofessional.co.uk/sustainability/nescafe
