Coffee guide · Beans for Jura
Best beans for the Jura E8, S8 and Z8
Short answer: The same beans suit all three machines: roasted, untreated whole beans, with no flavouring or sugar glaze. A fresh medium roast is the safe default. Choose the roast by how you drink your coffee, not by which of the three models you own. For most E8, S8 and Z8 owners we suggest Heart of Gold, our medium blend.
- The E8 manual says to use only roasted, untreated coffee beans, and not beans treated with additives or caramelised beans. The Z10 manual says the same, and we follow the same rule for the S8 and Z8.
- Jura says nothing about roast level or oily beans. Roast advice here is general advice from our repair workshop.
- Mostly milk drinks: a medium or dark roast. Mostly black coffee: a medium or medium-dark roast.
- A 1 kg bag of Heart of Gold is $60 and ships free.
What the manual says
The E8 manual has two instructions about beans: “Only use roasted, untreated coffee beans to fill the bean container” and “Do not use any coffee beans treated with additives or caramelised coffee beans.”
That rules out flavoured beans, sugar-roasted or caramelised beans, and coated beans. It does not rule out any roast level or origin. The manual does not recommend a brand.
Why the model matters less than you think
The E8, S8 and Z8 differ in screens, drink menus, size and milk options. For beans, the rule and the advice are the same for all three: whole, untreated beans, kept fresh, in a roast you like. What changes the choice is what you drink.
Match the beans to how you drink
| You mostly drink | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos | Heart of Gold or Italian Espresso | A medium roast for a balanced milk coffee, or a dark roast if you want the coffee to come through more strongly in milk. |
| Espresso, long blacks, americanos | Heart of Gold or Colombia Supremo | A medium or medium-dark roast without the heavier bitterness of a very dark roast. |
| Strong, very dark coffee | Italian Espresso or Chat Noir | Dark and French roast. Buy smaller amounts and keep an eye on the bean container. |
| A bit of everything, or not sure | Heart of Gold | The safe default, and the bean in our Starter Bundles. |
Dark roasts in an E8, S8 or Z8
The manual’s rule allows dark roasts. As general workshop advice: very oily beans can leave residue in the bean container and grinder, so look for beans that are not wet and shiny all over. A slight oil film on the container wall is normal according to Jura. Thick, sticky build-up is a sign to switch to a less oily bean for a while. There is more detail in Can you use oily or dark roast beans in a Jura?
When you change beans
- The first few drinks after a change can taste different while the grinder clears the old beans.
- If the new bean tastes weak or harsh, adjust the coffee strength or grind. Your manual explains how and when to adjust the grinder on your model.
- Do not mix a flavoured bean into the container “just once”. The manual rule applies to every fill.
Freshness and how much to buy
A 1 kg bag makes roughly 100 coffees at a typical dose. A household making two or three coffees a day gets through a kilo in roughly five to seven weeks, which keeps the beans fresh. Fill the bean container with a few days’ worth at a time and keep the bag sealed, away from heat and sunlight.
Subscribe and Save takes 15% off and sends beans on a regular schedule, so you are not left with an old bag.
Our beans for the E8, S8 and Z8
All our roasts are untreated, with no coating, so they meet the manual’s rule.
- Heart of Gold: signature medium blend, $60 a kilo, 1 kg ships free.
- Italian Espresso: dark roast, our best seller, $62 a kilo.
- Colombia Supremo: medium-dark.
- Chat Noir: French roast.
See all of them in coffee roasts.
Buying an E8, S8 or Z8?
A Starter Bundle (refurbished machine, 1 kg Heart of Gold and a Care Kit) saves $40.
Not sure which of the three suits you? Take the two-minute Jura quiz. Buying second-hand? Use the Jura buyer’s checklist and the E8, S8, Z8 and Z10 checks.
Frequently asked questions
Do the E8, S8 and Z8 need different beans?
No. The same rule applies to all three: roasted, untreated whole beans with no additives or caramelised coating. Choose the roast by how you drink your coffee.
Can I use dark roast beans in a Jura E8?
Yes. The E8 manual rules out beans with additives and caramelised beans, not dark roasts. As general advice, avoid beans that are very oily, which can leave residue in the bean container and grinder.
What are the best beans for milk drinks in an E8, S8 or Z8?
A medium roast such as Heart of Gold for a balanced milk coffee, or a dark roast such as Italian Espresso if you want the coffee to come through more strongly in milk.
How long does a 1 kg bag last?
About 100 coffees at a typical dose, so roughly five to seven weeks for a household making two or three coffees a day.