Jura Z10 test: an impressive and exclusive coffee maker with a grinder

The Jura Z10 is a beast of technology in an almost perfect environment. As always with the Jura, the finishes are impeccable, the design is simple and special attention is paid to detail (embossed water tank, stainless steel accents here and there, LED lights under the spout, etc.). As on many machines, plastic prevails, despite the brushed stainless steel look of the sides of the front. This one does not creak under the fingers nor does it make for any theatrics.

Mounted on the front of the coffee maker, the 4.3-inch touchscreen serves as a control panel for navigating through the dense tree structure. First of all, the catalog provides access to about thirty recipes for black, milk, hot or cold coffee. Besides the traditional espresso, classic coffee and long coffee, we specify cappuccino, coffee with milk, flat white latte macchiato, etc.

The Jura Z10 is also the first coffee maker of its kind to offer brew capability cold brew quickly. Unlike the traditional method, which is infusion-based and requires between 12 to 24 hours of rest time, the method used by the Z10 relies on injecting cold water at high pressure into a freshly ground coffee cake, but in a coarser form than a hot drink. On the Jura, this recipe brews in 2 minutes and 6 seconds for a regular coffee (when the Delonghi Eletta Explore makes it in less than 4 minutes).

For each of these recipes, it is possible to select the aroma intensity at 10 levels (from 5 to 16 grams of coffee) and adjust the amount of water in the cup. For example, the length of the espresso can be increased up to 80ml. These settings are only relevant to the current setting and can be saved in the device. All drinks served by the coffee maker can be served cold, that is, at room temperature.

Jura Z10 chooses a milk hose to ensure the preparation of milk drinks. Here, like all Jura brand coffee makers, the hose is attached to the dispensing spout. It is attached to a stainless steel bowl supplied with the machine. In general, we prefer milk jugs because they are Delonghi or Philips designed (with the LatteGo system), because they are easier to install or clean. In addition, the small clear tube is more easily lost from the vase.

From a purely technical standpoint, the Z10 benefits from several in-house technologies, such as a system for injecting hot water into the coffee by pulse (pulse extraction process, or PEP) or a Claris filter that connects to the coffee maker. Moreover, the water tank, which has a capacity of 2.4 liters, is located in the left side of the coffee maker. It is large enough not to force the user to recharge it regularly, which is very convenient.

At the top of the machine is a bean hopper that can hold 280 grams of coffee. It is sealed with a transparent lid around which the seal is attached, in order to keep the coffee beans from air. A great novelty and, not least, the grind is set automatically. The function is made possible by product recognition system technology, which simply allows the mill to adapt the grinding fineness according to the chosen recipe. It will be interesting for those who do not dare to venture into the factory settings. However, as everyone knows, the choice of grind is supposed to vary with the coffee consumed. The dangers of automated grinding is that the taste of the coffee (more or less bitter, more or less acid) does not suit the user and they do not have the flexibility to improve it.

A hole for ground coffee is also included to change the coffee from time to time.

Note, however, that the pouring spout is equipped with LEDs that make their little “wow” effect when triggering a recipe. Even better, the plastic cover is removable for thorough cleaning.

From the screen, the user accesses the device settings to select, among other things, the duration of the Jura Z10 extinction, the water hardness, or even to start cleaning or maintenance programmes. So the screen greatly facilitates the general handling of the device. Each stage is notified on the screen (filling the bean container, filling the water tank, emptying the coffee container, etc.).

Once it’s on and every time it’s turned off, the Jura Z10 flushes the holes. Note that after 180 preparations, the manufacturer recommends cleaning the machine. This process, as far as descaling goes, is automated, with the Z10 guiding users step by step.

Various items (cup rests, water tank, leftover container, etc.) can be removed and reinstalled very easily. To ensure its durability, it is best to choose manual cleaning. For a whole host of reasons, Jura doesn’t provide access to the brewing unit. The Swiss manufacturer guarantees that maintenance is simpler, as it is fully automated and safer. In fact, during cleaning, the water temperature reaches more than 80 degrees Celsius, a value that is considered sufficient to eliminate germs and completely dissolve coffee residue, oils and grease. Finally, by preventing access to the filtration chamber, the risk of malfunction caused by external factors is completely eliminated.