The beans you use matter more than any setting on your machine. The right beans produce rich crema, balanced flavor, and clean extraction. The wrong beans can taste flat, sour, or bitter - and over time can even damage your grinder. Here is what works best in a Jura.
What to Look For
Roast Level
Medium to medium-dark roast is ideal for Jura machines. Here is the breakdown:
- Light roast: Avoid for super-automatics. The short brew time produces under-extracted, sour-tasting coffee.
- Medium roast: The best all-around choice. Balanced sweetness, clear origin flavors, good crema.
- Medium-dark roast: Great for espresso-forward drinks. Richer body, chocolate and caramel notes, excellent crema.
- Dark roast: Works but runs bitter easily. Very dark beans with visible oil on the surface should be avoided - the oil clogs the grinder.
Oil Content
This is critical for super-automatics. Choose beans that are dry to the touch. Oily beans leave residue in the grinder and bean hopper that builds up over time, eventually causing grinding issues.
If you see a shiny, wet-looking surface on the beans, they are too oily for your Jura.
Freshness
Coffee beans are at their best 7-21 days after roasting. After 4 weeks, flavors fade and crema thins noticeably. Buy in smaller quantities (250g-500g) and use them within 2-3 weeks.
Bean Types by Drink
| Drink | Best Bean Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Medium-dark, single origin or blend | Look for chocolate, nut, or caramel tasting notes |
| Cappuccino/Latte | Medium, blend | Balanced beans that pair well with milk |
| Lungo | Medium, single origin | Lighter, fruity beans work well at longer extraction |
| Americano | Medium to medium-dark | Full-bodied beans for a rich, diluted cup |
| Cold brew (Z10) | Medium, low acidity | Smooth beans with chocolate or vanilla notes |
Storage
Proper storage keeps beans fresh longer:
- Airtight container with a one-way valve (lets CO2 out, keeps air out)
- Cool, dark place - avoid countertops near the stove or in direct sunlight
- Do not refrigerate or freeze beans you are actively using. Temperature changes cause condensation that damages beans.
- Only fill the Jura hopper with 2-3 days’ worth of beans. Refill frequently from your airtight container.
For comprehensive storage advice, see our coffee storage guide.
Common Bean Mistakes
- Buying pre-ground coffee for a super-automatic. Your Jura has a built-in grinder for a reason. Pre-ground coffee loses flavor within hours of grinding. Use whole beans.
- Using very oily beans. They clog the grinder. Stick to medium roasts from reputable roasters.
- Buying in bulk. A 2kg bag may seem economical, but the beans go stale before you finish them. Buy 500g at a time.
- Ignoring the roast date. Always check the “roasted on” date. Avoid bags that only show a “best by” date - that tells you nothing about freshness.
- Storing beans in the bag they came in. Transfer to an airtight container after opening.
Grind Adjustment by Bean
Different beans may need different grind settings on your Jura:
- Harder, denser beans (light to medium roast): Use a finer grind setting
- Softer, more porous beans (medium-dark to dark roast): Use a slightly coarser grind setting
After switching beans, give the grinder 2-3 cups to clear the old grounds before judging the new flavor. See our espresso settings guide for more.
Our Full Bean Recommendations
For specific bean brand and blend recommendations, see our detailed article: Best Coffee Beans for Jura Espresso Machines.
Back to all guides | See also: Brewing guide | Espresso settings | Reviews