Breville Barista Pro: Can It Make Regular Coffee?
Quick Answer
- The Breville Barista Pro is primarily an espresso machine.
- It can make espresso-based drinks like americanos and long blacks.
- These are not the same as drip coffee.
- You can’t brew a standard drip coffee pot with it.
- Think of it as a specialized tool for espresso, not an all-in-one coffee maker.
While it excels at espresso, the Breville Barista Pro is a fantastic machine for those looking to dive into the world of home espresso.
- 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.
- Drip Coffee: Coffee brewed by letting hot water flow through coffee grounds in a filter, dripping into a carafe.
- Americano: An espresso drink made by diluting a shot (or two) of espresso with hot water.
- Long Black: Similar to an Americano, but the hot water is added before the espresso, preserving more crema.
- Portafilter: The handle with a basket that holds the ground coffee for espresso extraction.
- Grind Size: The fineness or coarseness of ground coffee. Espresso needs a very fine grind.
- Crema: The reddish-brown foam that sits on top of a well-pulled espresso shot.
- Pressure: Espresso machines use high pressure (typically 9 bars) for extraction. Drip coffee uses gravity.
- Thermoblock: A heating system found in many espresso machines, including the Barista Pro, for quick heating of water.
- Steam Wand: Used to froth milk for milk-based espresso drinks.
How It Works
- The Breville Barista Pro uses a powerful pump to push hot water through finely ground coffee.
- This happens under high pressure, usually around 9 bars, which is key for espresso.
- Water is heated rapidly by a thermoblock heating system.
- You tamp finely ground coffee into a portafilter.
- The portafilter locks into the group head.
- The machine then forces the pressurized hot water through the coffee puck.
- This extracts a concentrated shot of espresso.
- For drinks like americanos, you add hot water from the machine’s steam wand.
- The steam wand also heats and froths milk.
What Affects the Result
- Coffee Bean Freshness: Stale beans won’t give you a good shot, no matter the machine.
- Grind Size: This is critical. Too coarse, and your espresso will be weak. Too fine, and it will choke the machine.
- Dose: The amount of ground coffee you use in the portafilter. Consistency matters.
- Tamp Pressure: How firmly you press the coffee grounds. Even pressure is important.
- Water Temperature: Too hot or too cold water can ruin an espresso shot. The Barista Pro has temperature control.
- Water Quality: Filtered water is best. Hard water can cause scale buildup and affect taste.
- Brew Ratio: The ratio of ground coffee to liquid espresso. A common starting point is 1:2 (e.g., 18g coffee to 36g espresso).
- Machine Cleanliness: Regular cleaning prevents old coffee oils from affecting flavor.
- Pre-infusion: Some machines, like the Pro, have a pre-infusion step that wets the grounds before full pressure.
- Extraction Time: How long the water is in contact with the coffee. Typically 25-30 seconds for espresso.
- The Beans Themselves: Different roasts and origins will taste different.
- Your Technique: Dialing in the grind and tamp takes practice.
Pros, Cons, and When It Matters
- Pro: Makes excellent espresso and espresso-based drinks. This is its main gig.
- Con: It’s not designed for brewing drip coffee. You can’t just pop in a filter and grounds for a pot.
- Pro: Fast heat-up time with the thermoblock. Ready to go pretty quickly.
- Con: Requires a learning curve. Grinding, tamping, and dialing in take practice.
- Pro: Built-in grinder means one less thing to buy initially.
- Con: The grinder, while convenient, isn’t as high-end as a standalone burr grinder.
- Pro: Makes americanos by adding hot water. This is the closest it gets to “regular” coffee.
- Con: An americano is still an espresso-based drink, different in body and flavor from drip.
- Pro: Great for milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos with the steam wand.
- Con: If all you want is a simple cup of black drip coffee, this machine is overkill.
- Pro: The machine looks sharp on the counter.
- Con: Takes up more counter space than a basic drip machine.
- Pro: Good value for an entry-level semi-automatic espresso machine.
- Con: Doesn’t offer the convenience of a super-automatic machine.
Common Misconceptions
- Myth: The Barista Pro can make a regular pot of drip coffee.
- Reality: It’s an espresso machine. It makes concentrated shots, not brewed coffee.
- Myth: Espresso is just stronger coffee.
- Reality: It’s brewed differently under pressure, resulting in a different flavor profile and texture.
- Myth: Any coffee bean will work for espresso.
- Reality: Espresso requires specific roasts and freshness for optimal results. Darker roasts are common, but not the only option.
- Myth: You need expensive equipment to make good coffee.
- Reality: While high-end gear helps, technique and fresh beans are more important than you might think. The Barista Pro is a solid mid-range option.
- Myth: The built-in grinder is as good as a separate one.
- Reality: It’s functional, but dedicated grinders offer more control and consistency for espresso.
- Myth: All espresso machines are hard to use.
- Reality: Some are, but machines like the Barista Pro are designed to be user-friendly for beginners, with a learning curve.
- Myth: An americano is the same as drip coffee.
- Reality: It’s espresso diluted with water. It has more body and a different flavor intensity.
- Myth: You can use pre-ground coffee for espresso.
- Reality: For best results, you need to grind fresh just before brewing. Pre-ground coffee loses freshness quickly.
FAQ
Q: Can I make a cup of black coffee with the Breville Barista Pro?
A: You can make an Americano by adding hot water to an espresso shot. This is the closest you’ll get to black coffee. It’s still based on espresso, so the flavor is more concentrated.
Q: Does the Breville Barista Pro have a drip coffee function?
A: No, it does not have a drip coffee function. It is designed specifically for making espresso and espresso-based beverages.
Q: What’s the difference between an Americano and drip coffee?
A: An Americano is made by diluting espresso with hot water. Drip coffee is made by gravity-feeding hot water through coffee grounds. An Americano has a more intense flavor and a different mouthfeel.
Q: If I want drip coffee, can I still use the Barista Pro?
A: You could technically run hot water through grounds in the portafilter, but it won’t produce good drip coffee. The pressure system and grind size are all wrong for it. It’s like trying to use a screwdriver as a hammer.
Q: Is the Breville Barista Pro good for beginners?
A: Yes, it’s considered a great machine for beginners getting into espresso. It has helpful features like a built-in grinder and programmable shot volumes, but it still requires learning the basics of espresso making.
Q: How do I make a long black with the Barista Pro?
A: To make a long black, you add hot water to your cup first, then extract the espresso shot directly into the hot water. This helps preserve the crema better than an Americano.
Q: What kind of coffee beans should I use?
A: For espresso, medium to dark roasts are often recommended, but experiment to find what you like. Always use freshly roasted beans and grind them right before brewing for the best flavor.
What This Page Does Not Cover (And Where to Go Next)
- Detailed troubleshooting for specific error lights or operational issues. (Check your manual for those).
- Comparisons with other Breville models or brands. (Look for dedicated comparison reviews).
- Advanced latte art techniques. (There are tons of videos and classes for that).
- The science of coffee extraction in extreme detail. (Explore coffee science blogs or books).
- Specific recommendations for coffee bean origins or roasters. (That’s a personal journey).