What Kind of Coffee Can the Breville BES870XL Make?

Quick Answer

• The Breville BES870XL is a semi-automatic espresso machine designed to make espresso-based drinks.
• It can produce espresso shots suitable for lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, and macchiatos.
• The machine allows for manual control over grind size, dose, and temperature, enabling customization.
• It includes a steam wand for texturing milk, essential for most espresso-based beverages.
• While it excels at espresso, it is not designed for drip coffee or cold brew.
• Users can adjust the shot volume and pressure to fine-tune the espresso output.

The Breville BES870XL is a fantastic semi-automatic espresso machine that excels at creating a variety of espresso-based drinks. If you’re looking to make lattes, cappuccinos, or americanos at home, this machine is an excellent choice.

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Key Terms and Definitions

• Espresso: A concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans.
• Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine: A machine where the user controls the start and stop of the water flow for the espresso shot, often allowing for manual control over grind and tamp.
• Portafilter: The handle-like device that holds the ground coffee and attaches to the group head of the espresso machine.
• Group Head: The part of the espresso machine where the portafilter is inserted and hot water is delivered to the coffee grounds.
• Steam Wand: A nozzle on the espresso machine used to heat and texture milk for espresso-based drinks.
• Dose: The amount of ground coffee placed into the portafilter.
• Tamp: The act of compressing the ground coffee in the portafilter using a tamper.
• Crema: The reddish-brown foam that forms on top of a well-pulled espresso shot, composed of coffee oils and CO2.
• Shot Volume: The amount of liquid espresso extracted.
• Grind Size: The fineness or coarseness of the ground coffee, crucial for proper espresso extraction.

How the Breville BES870XL Works

• The Breville BES870XL is a semi-automatic espresso machine, meaning it requires user input to complete the brewing process.
• It begins by heating water to a precise temperature using a thermocoil heating system.
• Ground coffee is placed into the portafilter, which is then locked into the group head.
• The machine delivers hot water at approximately 9 bars of pressure through the coffee grounds.
• The user controls the duration of the water flow, determining the shot volume and extraction time.
• A built-in conical burr grinder allows for fresh grinding of beans directly into the portafilter.
• The machine also features a steam wand that uses steam pressure to heat and aerate milk.
• This process allows for the creation of microfoam, essential for latte art and creamy texture.
• The machine’s digital temperature control (PID) helps maintain consistent water temperature during extraction.
• Users can select single or double shot volumes, or manually control the extraction time.

What Affects the Result from Your Breville BES870XL

• Coffee Bean Freshness: Using freshly roasted whole beans and grinding them just before brewing is critical for optimal flavor. Stale beans will produce flat, uninspired espresso.
• Grind Size: The fineness of the coffee grind directly impacts extraction. Too coarse, and the espresso will be weak and watery; too fine, and it may choke the machine or result in a bitter taste. The BES870XL has an integrated grinder with adjustable settings.
• Coffee Dose: The amount of coffee grounds in the portafilter affects the strength and extraction. The machine’s dose control can help with consistency.
• Tamping Pressure: Consistent and even tamping is vital to ensure water flows uniformly through the coffee bed. Uneven tamping can lead to channeling, where water finds paths of least resistance, resulting in uneven extraction.
• Water Quality: Using filtered or good-tasting tap water can significantly improve the taste of your espresso. Hard water can also affect the machine’s performance over time.
• Water Temperature: The ideal brewing temperature for espresso is generally between 195-205°F (90-96°C). The BES870XL’s PID controller aims to maintain this range.
• Brew Ratio: The ratio of dry coffee grounds to liquid espresso produced. A common starting point for espresso is 1:2 (e.g., 18 grams of coffee to 36 grams of espresso).
• Extraction Time: The duration the water is in contact with the coffee. For a double shot, this is typically 25-30 seconds.
• Milk Steaming Technique: For milk-based drinks, the way milk is steamed—achieving the right texture and temperature—greatly influences the final beverage.
• Machine Cleanliness: Regular cleaning of the group head, portafilter, and steam wand is essential to prevent old coffee oils from affecting the taste of future brews.
• Pre-infusion: Some machines offer a pre-infusion phase, which gently wets the coffee grounds before full pressure is applied, potentially leading to a more even extraction. The BES870XL includes this feature.

Pros, Cons, and When it Matters for Your Breville BES870XL

• Pro: Versatility for Espresso Drinks: The BES870XL excels at making a wide range of espresso-based beverages, from a simple shot to complex milk drinks. This matters if you enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, or americanos.
• Con: Learning Curve: As a semi-automatic machine, it requires practice to master grind size, tamping, and extraction timing. This matters if you are looking for a fully automated “push-button” experience.
• Pro: Integrated Grinder: Having a built-in grinder simplifies the process and ensures fresh grounds. This matters for convenience and coffee quality.
• Con: Not for Drip Coffee: This machine is specifically designed for espresso and cannot produce standard drip coffee. This matters if your primary coffee preference is a large-cup drip brew.
• Pro: Manual Control: The ability to adjust grind, dose, and extraction time offers significant control for enthusiasts. This matters if you like to experiment and dial in your perfect shot.
• Con: Limited Capacity: It’s designed for home use and typically brews one or two shots at a time. This matters if you need to make coffee for a large crowd quickly.
• Pro: Steam Wand for Milk: The steam wand is capable of producing quality microfoam for milk-based drinks. This matters if you enjoy milk coffees and want to create them at home.
• Con: Maintenance Required: Regular cleaning and descaling are necessary for optimal performance and longevity. This matters if you prefer low-maintenance appliances.
• Pro: PID Temperature Control: Helps ensure consistent water temperature, leading to more repeatable results. This matters for achieving better-tasting espresso shot after shot.
• Con: Counter Space: Like most espresso machines, it takes up a dedicated amount of counter space. This matters if you have a very small kitchen.
• Pro: Value for Entry-Level Enthusiasts: It offers a good balance of features and performance for those entering the world of home espresso. This matters if you’re looking for a capable machine without a professional price tag.

Common Misconceptions about the Breville BES870XL

• Misconception: The BES870XL can make any type of coffee, including drip coffee.
• Reality: This machine is designed exclusively for espresso and espresso-based drinks. It cannot produce standard drip coffee.
• Misconception: Once you buy it, great espresso is automatic.
• Reality: While it’s a capable machine, achieving consistently excellent espresso requires learning and practice with grind, dose, tamp, and extraction.
• Misconception: The built-in grinder is sufficient for all espresso needs.
• Reality: The integrated grinder is good for its price point and convenience, but serious enthusiasts might eventually consider a higher-end standalone grinder for finer control and consistency.
• Misconception: Espresso is always bitter.
• Reality: Properly extracted espresso should be balanced, with sweetness, acidity, and a pleasant bitterness. Bitterness often indicates over-extraction or issues with grind and temperature.
• Misconception: You need expensive, specialty beans for good espresso.
• Reality: While quality beans help, the technique and settings on the machine are often more critical for good espresso than the bean itself, especially when starting.
• Misconception: The steam wand is only for fancy latte art.
• Reality: The steam wand is essential for heating and texturing milk, creating the creamy mouthfeel that defines drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, regardless of artistic skill.
• Misconception: More pressure is always better for espresso.
• Reality: While espresso requires high pressure (around 9 bars), excessively high pressure can lead to channeling and poor extraction. The BES870XL is designed to deliver the optimal pressure range.
• Misconception: Espresso is just strong coffee.
• Reality: Espresso is a different brewing method entirely, using pressure and finely ground coffee to create a concentrated beverage with a unique flavor profile and crema.

FAQ

• What kind of coffee drinks can I make with the Breville BES870XL?

You can make espresso shots, which are the base for drinks like americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, flat whites, and mochas. You can also enjoy a straight shot of espresso.

• Can the Breville BES870XL make drip coffee?

No, the BES870XL is an espresso machine and is not designed to brew drip coffee. Its mechanism uses high pressure to extract espresso.

• Does the Breville BES870XL come with a grinder?

Yes, the Breville BES870XL features an integrated conical burr grinder, allowing you to grind beans directly into the portafilter.

• How much coffee can the Breville BES870XL make at once?

The machine is designed to brew one or two espresso shots at a time. It is not intended for making large pots of coffee.

• Is the Breville BES870XL good for beginners?

It is considered a good entry-level to intermediate machine. It offers manual controls that allow for learning, but it requires some practice to master.

• What is the role of the steam wand on the Breville BES870XL?

The steam wand is used to heat and texture milk, creating microfoam for milk-based espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

• Can I use pre-ground coffee in the Breville BES870XL?

Yes, you can use pre-ground coffee, but for the best results, it’s recommended to grind fresh beans just before brewing. If using pre-ground, ensure it’s a fine grind suitable for espresso.

• What is the difference between a single and double shot on this machine?

The machine allows you to select a single or double shot volume, which controls how much espresso is extracted into your cup. You can also manually stop the shot at your desired volume.

What This Page Does Not Cover (and Where to Go Next)

• Specific recipe guides for various espresso-based drinks. (Next: Explore coffee recipe books or reputable online coffee resources.)
• Detailed troubleshooting for error messages or specific performance issues. (Next: Consult the official Breville BES870XL user manual or their customer support.)
• Comparisons with other specific espresso machine models or brands. (Next: Look for comparative reviews from coffee publications or dedicated home barista websites.)
• Information on advanced espresso techniques like naked portafilters or pressure profiling. (Next: Seek out resources focused on intermediate to advanced espresso brewing.)
• Maintenance schedules and detailed cleaning instructions beyond basic care. (Next: Refer to the user manual for precise cleaning and descaling recommendations.)