Jura's espresso machines are well-made in factories in either Switzerland or Portugal (depending on the model).

You’ve probably heard connoisseurs refer to coffee as being under- or over-extracted, but recognising and remedying this can be a bit of a challenge. A well-extracted coffee is balanced in flavour, whereas under-extracted brews will taste too acidic and over-extracted drinks have an overriding ashy, bitter flavour. Under extracted As you probably expect from such a great super automatic machine, the cleaning and maintenance parts are also hassle and worry free. It seems every aspect of the Jura A1 has been well thought out and this is no different. You can choose between two coffee strengths (7g or 10g) and adjust the amount of hot water used and, once you like what you’ve obtained, you can program it to replicate that exact shot. In fact, the Jura A1 lets you program 3 different cup sizes. Coffee beans come in different roasts and sizes. When you grind your beans, they can produce flakes and other residual particles that may clog your grinder. Most of the Jura machines include a stainless-steel burr grinder. Firstly, the A1 (similarly tothe now unavailable ENA Micro 1) is a compact machine. This means it's great for small kitchens or if you don't want a bulky coffee machine taking up your worktop. Despite the small size, we think it retains Jura's famous style - so it's not a model that will ruin your kitchen's decor.At the rear of the machine is the 36.8oz capacity water tank. The tank also houses a water filter – standard in Jura machines. You want to make milky drinks– We don’t recommend the A1 if you like latte, cappuccino or other milky coffee drinks unless you already have milk frother. Since this model doesn’t have milk frothing system, the Jura ENA 8 would make a better choice. The Verdict On The Jura A1 – 4.45/5 There is a variable brewing unit for 6g to 10g of coffee (depending on the coffee strength you choose) to ensure the perfect brewing conditions for excellent coffee at all times. Espresso machines tend to look like miniature versions of the ones you see in coffee shops. Much like pod machines, they draw flavour from coffee grounds, but this time around these are loose and will need both measuring and tamping before they’re ready for extraction. This may take a little longer than other machines, but transforms the coffee-making process into more of an experience, and the delicious results make the extra effort worthwhile. Taste: there should be a balance of tones, like you’d find in a good wine. An initial sweet acidity should be followed by richer, mellow tones.

We’ve sipped our way through hundreds of coffees to find the best machines. This involved pulling espressos, whipping up lattes, frothing cappuccinos and pouring flat whites from more than 40 top models. The consistency and efficiency of each model was assessed as they made specific beverages, allowing us to ensure they are capable of creating the desired flavour profile time and time again. Everything from the water tank to the drip tray feels like it’s been well put together and your money isn’t disappearing into the profit margin of a shoddy manufacturer. All Jura machines are made in Europe. Now since some of the most advanced tech we use is made in Asia these days, like most Apple products, for example, I don’t buy into “built in Europe means better quality”. Build quality comes from the standards of the manufacturer, this is where Jura stands out as exceptional. Irrespective of where the coffee machines are made. Small Size not an Issue The company also places a heavy emphasis on design. As you'll see in the upcoming list of the company's best models, Jura machines are always sleek and stylish. The company knows that making coffee is often as much about the experience as it is about the actual taste. Most Jura customers have no problems with their machines well beyond the 2-year mark with some getting 10+ years out of their investment.However, you are able to make small adjustments to your beverage with its 2 grind levels, dose, and cup size levels. Among Jura’s line of high-quality super-automatic espresso machines, the A1 and ENA 4 share a remarkable number of features. Both are relatively slim with a sleek, luxurious appearance. Depending on your choice of coffee strength the Jura A1 also has a variable brew unit, capable of taking 6-10 gram of grounds. Whether something is cheap or expensive is really subjective and is relative to what you can afford. What is NOT subjective though is value, this is a direct relationship between what you get compared to what you pay. Release the espresso symbol, and the espresso will brew. The espresso symbol and coffee strength symbol will flash.