Your Jura’s factory settings are a starting point, not the final answer. Dialing in the grind, strength, volume, and temperature to match your beans and taste preferences is what takes your espresso from good to great. This guide walks you through every adjustable setting.
The Four Settings to Adjust
1. Grind Size
The most impactful setting. Finer grinds produce stronger, more intense espresso with thicker crema. Coarser grinds produce lighter, less bitter coffee.
How to adjust: Use the dial or switch on the grinder (location varies by model). Adjust in single increments. Only adjust while the grinder is running.
Starting point: Level 3-4 (middle) for most medium-roast beans.
| Setting | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Finer (1-2) | Stronger, thicker crema, more body | Ristretto, short espresso |
| Medium (3-4) | Balanced extraction, good crema | Standard espresso, cappuccino |
| Coarser (5-7) | Lighter body, less bitterness | Lungo, Americano |
After adjusting: Wait 2-3 cups for the change to take full effect. Old grounds remain in the chute and need to clear.
2. Coffee Strength
Strength controls how much ground coffee the machine uses per cup. Higher strength = more coffee grounds = more intense flavor.
How to adjust: Through the machine menu or drink customization screen. Most Jura models offer 3-5 strength levels.
Starting point: Medium-high for espresso, medium for lungo.
Tip: Increasing strength adds intensity but also increases bitterness. If your espresso is too bitter at a higher strength, try going back to medium strength and using a finer grind instead. Grind has a bigger impact on flavor quality than strength.
3. Volume
Volume determines how much liquid ends up in your cup. Shorter shots are more concentrated; longer shots are lighter.
Standard volumes:
- Ristretto: 15-25ml
- Espresso: 25-40ml
- Lungo: 80-120ml
- Coffee: 120-180ml
How to adjust: Through the drink customization menu. You can usually save custom volumes per drink.
Tip: If your espresso tastes watery, reduce the volume before increasing the strength. A 30ml espresso will always taste more concentrated than a 50ml one, regardless of strength setting.
4. Temperature
Temperature affects extraction speed and flavor profile. Higher temperatures extract more quickly and produce bolder flavors. Lower temperatures produce lighter, more nuanced cups.
How to adjust: Available in the settings menu on E8, S8, and Z10. Not adjustable on entry-level models.
Starting point: Medium or high for most beans. Reduce if espresso tastes burnt or over-extracted.
Dial-In Process
Follow this sequence to find your ideal settings:
- Start with factory defaults. Make 2-3 cups to establish a baseline.
- Adjust grind first. This has the biggest impact. Go finer for more body, coarser for less bitterness.
- Adjust strength second. Increase for more intensity, decrease if the flavor is overwhelming.
- Adjust volume third. Shorten for more concentration, lengthen for a lighter cup.
- Adjust temperature last. Only if the other three settings do not resolve the flavor issue.
Setting Recipes by Drink
| Drink | Grind | Strength | Volume | Temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ristretto | Fine (1-2) | High | 15-25ml | High |
| Espresso | Fine-Medium (2-3) | Medium-High | 25-40ml | High |
| Cappuccino base | Fine-Medium (2-3) | High | 25-35ml | High |
| Lungo | Medium (3-4) | Medium | 80-120ml | Medium |
| Coffee | Medium-Coarse (4-5) | Medium | 120-180ml | Medium |
Note: The Z10’s P.R.G. grinder automatically adjusts grind per drink type, so you get optimized grind settings without manual adjustment. This is one of the key advantages of the Z10.
Common Mistakes
- Changing multiple settings at once. Adjust one variable at a time so you know what made the difference.
- Judging too quickly. Give each change 2-3 cups before deciding.
- Using the same settings for different beans. When you switch beans, start the dial-in process from the beginning.
- Ignoring the water. Poor water quality affects flavor more than any machine setting. Use filtered water.
Ready to Choose a Jura?
If you want maximum control over settings without manual adjustments, the Z10 with its P.R.G. grinder optimizes automatically per drink. For the best value with strong customization, the E8 offers excellent flexibility at a lower price.
Back to all guides | See also: Brewing guide | Best beans | Milk frothing