Breville Barista Pro: Can It Brew Regular Coffee?
Quick answer
- The Breville Barista Pro is primarily an espresso machine.
- It can make Americano-style coffee by diluting espresso.
- It doesn’t brew drip or pour-over coffee like a standard machine.
- You won’t get a large, full-bodied cup of “regular” coffee directly from it.
- If you want a big mug of black coffee, this might not be your go-to.
While the Breville Barista Pro excels at espresso, it’s important to understand its capabilities before purchasing.
Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine BES876BTR, Black Truffle
- The Barista Express Impress espresso machine delivers third wave specialty coffee at home, featuring the Impress puck system for manual espresso making made easy
- INTELLIGENT DOSING: The smart dosing system automatically calculates and adjusts the level of fresh coffee for the perfect dose, every time
- PRECISION MEASURMENT: This smart system auto corrects the next dose, taking the guesswork out of manual espresso making
- Receive 2 free bags of specialty coffee when you purchase and register any Breville coffee machine; T and Cs apply
- ASSISTED TAMPING: Replicating the action of a professional barista, assisted tamping features 7 degree 'barista twist' finish and consistent 10kg of pressure, for a polished puck surface and clean tamp face
Key terms and definitions
- Espresso: A concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans.
- Americano: An espresso-based drink made by diluting a shot or two of espresso with hot water.
- Drip Coffee: Coffee brewed by letting hot water drip through coffee grounds held in a filter.
- Pour-over: A manual brewing method where hot water is poured over coffee grounds in a filter, allowing gravity to extract the coffee.
- Portafilter: The handle with a basket that holds the ground coffee for espresso machines.
- Steam Wand: Used to froth milk for drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
- Grind Size: How finely or coarsely coffee beans are ground. Crucial for espresso vs. drip.
- Pressure: High pressure is key for espresso extraction. Standard coffee brewers use gravity.
- Crema: The reddish-brown foam that forms on top of a well-pulled espresso shot.
- Extraction: The process of dissolving soluble compounds from coffee grounds into water.
How the Breville Barista Pro works
- It uses a thermocoil heating system for fast heat-up.
- A 15-bar Italian pump delivers high pressure to the coffee grounds.
- You load finely ground coffee into the portafilter.
- The machine tamps the grounds and locks the portafilter into the group head.
- Hot water is forced through the coffee at high pressure for espresso extraction.
- It has a digital display for controlling shot volume and timing.
- A separate steam wand is used for texturing milk.
- It includes a built-in conical burr grinder.
- You can adjust grind settings and dose size.
- It heats water quickly, ready for brewing.
What affects your Breville Barista Pro coffee result
- Grind Size: This is huge. Too coarse, and your espresso will be weak. Too fine, and it’ll choke the machine. For Americanos, you’re still starting with espresso.
- Dose: The amount of ground coffee in your portafilter. Too little or too much messes with extraction.
- Tamp Pressure: How firmly you press the coffee grounds. Consistency is key.
- Water Temperature: The machine controls this pretty well, but it’s a factor in extraction.
- Bean Freshness: Freshly roasted beans make a big difference. Stale beans won’t give you that good crema.
- Water Quality: Filtered water tastes better and is better for your machine.
- Brew Ratio: The ratio of dry coffee grounds to liquid espresso yield. Standard for espresso.
- Pre-infusion: Some machines have this to wet the grounds before full pressure. The Barista Pro does.
- Shot Time: How long the espresso extracts. Too short or too long impacts flavor.
- Dilution Ratio (for Americanos): How much hot water you add to your espresso. This is where you get closer to “regular” coffee strength.
- Cleaning: A clean machine makes better coffee. Gotta keep that thing tidy.
Pros, cons, and when it matters
- Pro: Makes excellent, true espresso. That’s its main gig.
- Con: Not designed for large cups of drip coffee. You’re not going to fill a 12oz mug directly with a standard brew.
- Pro: Fast heat-up time means less waiting. Good for busy mornings.
- Con: Requires learning curve for dialing in shots. It’s not just push-a-button.
- Pro: Built-in grinder saves counter space. Handy.
- Con: Americanos can be pricey per cup compared to drip. You’re using espresso beans.
- Pro: Versatile for milk-based drinks if you like lattes or cappuccinos.
- Con: The “regular coffee” option is essentially an Americano. If you prefer the taste profile of drip, this won’t replicate it.
- Pro: High-quality build. Feels solid.
- Con: Can be overkill if you only want drip coffee. There are simpler machines for that.
- Pro: Consistent results once you get the hang of it.
- Con: Might not satisfy purists who want specific brew methods like pour-over.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: The Barista Pro can replace your drip coffee maker entirely. Reality: It makes espresso, which you can dilute. It doesn’t brew drip coffee.
- Myth: Any coffee bean works fine for espresso. Reality: Bean type and roast level matter a lot for espresso.
- Myth: More pressure equals better espresso. Reality: It’s about controlled pressure and extraction, not just raw power.
- Myth: Espresso is stronger than drip coffee. Reality: Espresso is more concentrated, but a typical serving is smaller. Per ounce, it has more caffeine, but a standard cup of drip often has more total caffeine.
- Myth: Crema means the espresso is good. Reality: Crema is a sign of freshness and proper extraction, but doesn’t guarantee taste.
- Myth: You can use pre-ground coffee for espresso. Reality: You really need freshly ground beans for the best results.
- Myth: The steam wand is just for show. Reality: It’s essential for making milk-based espresso drinks.
- Myth: Americanos taste just like drip coffee. Reality: They have a different flavor profile due to the espresso base.
FAQ
- Can I make a large mug of black coffee with the Breville Barista Pro?
You can make an Americano by adding hot water to espresso. This gets you a larger volume of black coffee, but it’s still espresso-based, so the flavor is different from drip coffee. You won’t get a standard large drip coffee directly.
- Does the Breville Barista Pro brew drip coffee?
No, it does not brew drip coffee. Its primary function is making espresso. You can create espresso-based drinks, including Americanos, but not a pot of drip coffee.
- How do I make something similar to regular coffee on the Barista Pro?
The closest you’ll get is an Americano. Pull a double shot of espresso and then add hot water to your desired strength and volume. Experiment with the amount of water to find what you like.
- Is it worth it if I mostly drink black coffee?
That depends. If you enjoy the taste of espresso and Americanos, it’s great. If you strictly prefer the taste of drip coffee and want large volumes, a dedicated drip machine might be a better fit.
- Can I use my own coffee beans?
Absolutely. The Barista Pro has a built-in grinder, and using your favorite whole beans is highly recommended for the best flavor. Just make sure they are suitable for espresso.
- How much caffeine is in an Americano from the Barista Pro?
An Americano made with a double shot of espresso will have the caffeine content of two espresso shots. This is generally less total caffeine than a large cup of drip coffee, but more concentrated.
- Will it make my coffee taste bitter?
If the espresso is over-extracted (too fine a grind, too long a shot, too hot), it can taste bitter. Dialing in your grind and shot time is key to avoiding bitterness.
What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)
- Detailed troubleshooting for specific error codes or mechanical issues. (Check the manual or contact support).
- Comparisons with other espresso machine brands or models. (Look for comparison reviews).
- Advanced latte art techniques. (Search for dedicated latte art tutorials).
- Specific recipes for complex espresso drinks beyond Americanos. (Explore coffee recipe blogs).
- Maintenance schedules beyond basic cleaning. (Consult the manufacturer’s maintenance guide).