The iconic Jura brand needs no introduction to most coffee lovers. Its owner Swiss Elektroapparate AG has been producing premium coffee machines since the 90s of the last century. Today, conpany is rightfully one of the innovative leaders in the industry, offering its own versions of almost all technologies.
Traditionally for leaders, Jura model range completely covers all price segments, offering compact ENA, full-size C, D, E, S, J, Z and Giga series. In addition, the company sells Professional models with increased productivity from 50 to 200 cups per day designed for use in offices, caterers, self-service zones and high-volume coffee shops.
However, despite the impressive performance, their prices and technologies used are practically no different from the ‘home’ models. In fact, the capacity of the water container, hopper bean and grounds discard is their main difference. To a certain extent, Jura Professional coffee makers can be positioned as more universal ‘home’ models, which are equally well suited for home and office.
Any classification depends on the selected criteria. In the era of the technology boom, the importance of the innovative level has grown significantly in all segments of consumer electronics. Of course, coffee machines are no exception.
Being one of the industry leaders and competing with the formidable Delonghi, Jura is constantly developing a seemingly simple process of brewing coffee. As a result, the list of innovations used by its models is constantly expanding. Today, the list of the most popular technologies includes:
– Cold Extraction Process;
– Extra Shot mode;
– Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.);
– innovative professional Aroma G2+ (P.A.G.2+) grinder;
– Fine Foam technology.
Jura Z10, X10 and Giga 10 use almost all innovations. Therefore, their comparison seems relevant.
Cold Extraction Process and Extra shot mode
Cold extraction is one of the company’s most popular technologies. Various Cold Brew Coffee have long since become a separate class of popular refreshing drinks.
Of course, manufacturers could not ignore consumer demand. As a result, two innovative industry leaders developed their own technologies, including Jura Cold Extraction Process and Delonghi Cold Extraction technology.
For reference, this method was invented by Dutch merchants. They loved coffee very much, but were deprived of the opportunity to prepare it due to the lack of hot water on the ships of that time. Cold brewing uses very coarse grinding and very long soaking, the duration of which reaches 24 hours, providing sufficient extraction.
To compensate for the lower extraction temperature, Cold Extraction Process increases the contact area between the water and the coffee tablet, and increases the intensity of squeezing water through it. To solve these problems, the system uses a convex surface shape of the lower piston and a complex configuration of nozzles to inject water simultaneously from all sides. As a result, it works like a 3D shower, providing sufficient extraction even at room temperature.
Like the latest Delonghi models, most new Jura coffee machines support the very popular Extra shot mode. In the X10 Extra shot for Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato and Flat White is activated via a modifier, which is turned on by the lower left key. In this mode, the coffee machine makes the coffee component in two cycles (two grinds and two pours in equal parts). For example, Flat White with a preset 60 ml of coffee will be prepared as two espressos of 30 ml + milk component. In fact, this mode increases the volume without reducing the coffee strength.
PAG2+, PEP and Fine Foam technology
The innovative Professional Aroma G2+ (P.A.G.2+) grinder is a bonus of the latest Jura models. Models with ‘+’ allow the coffee lover to change the grind at any time. As known, grinding adjustment of traditional coffee grinders is possible only during rotation to avoid damaging the millstones with unground grain fragments. But P.A.G.2+ makes one turn back at the working cycle end, releasing the clamped grain fragments. This algorithm ensures grinding adjustment in any mode without the risk of damaging the millstones.
The revolutionary Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.) has significantly increased the efficiency of coffee extraction by water pulsating through the coffee tablet.
In the traditional method, part of the water interacts with the ground coffee particles, the high humidity of which reduces the extraction efficiency. In the pulse mode, their humidity is lower, because part of the saturated solution has time pass through the tablet. As a result, the pulse mode extracts a wider range of flavors. It’s especially effective in lighter roasts. Moreover, P.E.P. also works great for cold brewing.
Jura’s Fine Foam technology uses a sophisticated dual-chamber system.
The first chamber creates microfoam, the second is designed to improve milk texture. As a result, lovers of milk-based drinks receive superb fine-mesh, homogeneous milk foam. Moreover, 10 temp and 10 texture settings provide any milk consistency to suit personal preferences. The system prepares silky foam for latte art or a thick foam for cappuccinos equally flawlessly.
The auto cleaning at the end of the work cycle cleans the milk system, but without a tube. A more thorough rinse at the end of the work day with special baths and cleaning agents is also simple and partially automated.
Jura X10 Features
Jura X10 is interesting as an intermediate model between the ‘home’ Z10 and Professional Giga 10.
Its design is very successful. Neutral brushed aluminum panels in black and gray will harmoniously fit into the any kitchen interior.
Measuring 18.5 x 14.7 x 16.5 in / 46.9 X 37.3 x 41.9 cm and a weight of 14.0 kg / 30 lbs seem big compared to, for example, the ‘home’ Z10 with dimensions and weight of 15.0 x 12.6 x 17.7 in / 38.1 x 32.0 x 45.0 cm and 12.2 kg / 27 lbs respectively. But considering the difference in capacity between their water containers (169.1 fl oz / 5.0 l vs 81.2 fl oz / 2.4 l), bean hoppers (17.6 oz / 500 g vs 10.2 oz / 290 g ) and grounds discard containers (40 vs 20 pucks), it actually seems insignificant. Moreover, the optional Jura’s accessory increases the bean hopper’s capacity to 5 ounces / 1 kg. In fact, the developers have placed the commercial-grade components, designed for 100-200 cups a day, in the body of a ‘home’ model.
The impressive 35 programmable specialty drinks menu is one of the main bonuses of the X10.
For comparison, the Z10 offers ‘only’ 24 programs. Probably, creating multiple milk textures in a single drink can be positioned as one of the main bonuses of the X10.
Unlike button-heavy competitors, X10’s 3.5-inch touchscreen color display и 6 context keys around the display provide selection and settings for 35 programs. Carousel switching between three desktops by the lower right key radically simplifies navigation.
Traditional settings include drink volumes, 3 temp settings, brew strengths and 10 levels of milk textures.
Mintenance notifications include step-by-step cleaning instructions and a smart dashboard.
Jura X10 vs Z10 vs Giga10
The Z10 is a premium home model.
The X10 offers professional performance and is designed for small businesses and offices.
The Z10 is more compact and has a larger 4.3-inch color touch screen vs smaller 3.5-inch display in X10.
Both machines:
– price ~ $ 4,000;
– P.E.P., Cold Extraction Process, Intelligent Water System with RFID filter monitoring, Fine Foam technology, height-adjustable and width-adjustable dual spouts, automatic switchovers from milk to milk foam;
– Jura’s J.O.E. app support;
– one boiler and 15 Bar pump;
– maximum cup height – 5.9 in / 15.0 cm.
Differences (X10 vs Z10):
– grinder – Professional Aroma (P.A.G.2+) vs Product Recognizing Grinder (P.R.G.);
– programs – 35 vs 24;
– water tank, bean hopper and grounds discard container capacity (shots) – 169.1 fl oz / 5.0 l vs 81.2 fl oz / 2.4 l, 17.6 oz / 500.0 g vs 10.2 oz / 290.0 g and 40 vs 20.
Jura X10 vs Giga10
The Giga 10 is a more premium Professional model with duplicated components.
Both machines (X10 vs Giga10):
– price ~ $ 4,000 vs $ 5,000;
– all Jura technologies (P.E.P., Cold Extraction Process, etc);
– 35 programs.
Differences (X10 vs Giga10):
– 3.5″ display vs 6.7″ touch screen;
– P.A.G.2+ vs electronic ceramic disc grinder;
– boiler / grinder / hopper – 1/1/1 vs 2/2/2;
– user profiles – 1 vs 4;
– water tank, bean hopper and grounds discard container capacity (shots) – 169.1 fl oz / 5.0 l vs 87.9 fl oz / 2.6 l, 17.6 oz / 500.0 g vs 19.8 oz / 560.0 g and 40 vs 20.
Conclusions
X10 Pros:
– elegant dark metallic housing;
– P.A.G.2+ grinder;
– Cold Brew with Cold Extraction Process;
– Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.);
– Fine Foam technology;
– 35 programmable drink specialties;
– Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.) with RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology suppot and CLEARYL Pro Smart+ water filter;
– Jura Operating Experience (J.O.E.) app;
– productivity up to 100 cups per day.
Considering the same price, an improved grinder, an increased capacity of the water tank, hopper bean and grounds discard container, and most importantly, 35 vs 24 programs provide a significant gain in price qwality ratio X10 vs Z10.
The comparison result with Giga 10 is less clear. An additional thermoblock of Giga 10 reduces the preparing time of milk-based drinks by generating steam from a second heating circuit. A second hopper bean and an additional grinder provide the simultaneous use of two different coffee bean blends. In addition, duplicated components act as a backup in case of breakdown. But the difference of $ 1,000 ($ 4,000 vs $ 5,000) is quite significant. Therefore, the choice between them depends on the budget.
In any case, a happy owner of a Jura coffee machine with an impeccable reputation and superb coffee quality is unlikely to regret the money spent.
The video demonstrates innovative Jura’s technologies of coffee brewing.