Coffee beans for Nivona bean-to-cup machines

Nivona's CafeRomatica machines range from compact entry-level models to machines with a long drinks menu and a built-in milk system. What they share is a grinder that works best with clean, evenly roasted beans. Get the beans right and most of the work is done.

What to look for

• Beans of an even size and roast, so the grinder isn't strained by irregular beans.
• A dry surface: very oily beans slowly clog the grinder and the coffee spout.
• A medium to dark roast, which grinds evenly in most Nivona models.
• For milk drinks, a blend with more robusta: it gives a thicker crema that stands up to frothed milk.
• No flavoured or syrup-coated beans; they leave a sticky layer in the grinder.

Nivona coffee beans by model

The right bean doesn't change much from one series to the next. What changes is how much you can adjust, and that decides how far you can stray from a safe medium roast.

NICR 5xx coffee beans

The 5xx series is the compact entry-level line, made for an everyday espresso or cappuccino. With fewer settings to play with, a forgiving medium roast blend of arabica and robusta is the easiest start.

NICR 6xx and 7xx coffee beans

These models give you more say over grind size and coffee quantity, which helps in a household where one person drinks espresso and another drinks large milky coffees. A blend with a little more robusta keeps the milk drinks from tasting weak.

NICR 8xx and 9xx coffee beans

The higher series make a wider range of drinks, from espresso to milk specialities. Darker roasts with chocolate or nut notes suit that mix, because their flavour still comes through in a large cup of milk.

NICR 10xx and CUBE coffee beans

The 10xx series and the CUBE models give you the finest control over the brew settings. On these machines a lighter, more delicate roast is worth a try, as you can adjust grind and strength until the cup tastes right.

Our suggestions for Nivona machines

• Café du Jour 100% Arabica Brazil – roasted in our own roastery; a medium roast of pure arabica.
• Café du Jour Espresso Madrugador – a freshly roasted arabica-robusta blend.
• Segafredo Intermezzo – a medium roast with chocolatey notes, blended from arabica and robusta.
• Kimbo Caffè Crema Classico – a crema blend with chocolate and nut notes.
• Idee Kaffee Caffè Crema Aromatic – mild, with a nutty aroma, for a gentler everyday coffee.
• Melitta Barista Classic Crema – a balanced blend with chocolatey notes, good in cappuccino and latte.
• Kimbo Cremoso – a strong, spicy roast for a dense crema.

Settings matter as much as the beans

Whichever beans you choose, give the machine a few cups to settle in. Change the grind one step at a time and follow your manual on when to adjust it. If the coffee tastes thin and sour, grind finer; if it tastes harsh and bitter, go coarser. If the crema fades after a while, the beans may be stale or the brew unit may need cleaning. Buy an amount you will get through in a few weeks and keep the hopper topped up with no more than you need for a day or two, so the beans don't lose their aroma.

Coffee beans for other bean-to-cup coffee machines

You'll also find suitable coffee beans for other brands: Melitta, Saeco, Miele, Bosch, Jura, De'Longhi, Philips, Krups, Siemens and Sage. For an overview of the whole range, see coffee beans for bean-to-cup machines.