The short answer
The best coffee for an automatic machine is a fresh whole bean with a balanced roast and enough sweetness to taste good as espresso, lungo and milk coffee. For most people, that means a smooth medium roast rather than something extremely light or very dark and oily.
At Nimmica, we usually guide people towards Esencia first. It is our easiest everyday coffee: chocolate, walnut and dried fruit, with enough body for a cappuccino and enough balance for a black coffee. If you prefer a richer, more intense cup, Finca is the next step.
What matters most in an automatic coffee machine?
An automatic machine does several jobs at once: it stores the beans, grinds a measured dose, compresses the coffee and brews it. The machine is convenient, but it cannot rescue beans that are stale or a flavour profile you never liked in the first place.
Focus on four things:
- Fresh whole beans. Your machine grinds each cup for you, so choose whole beans. Keep the bag closed, dry and away from heat.
- A balanced roast. A medium roast is forgiving and works across espresso, lungo and milk drinks.
- A flavour you want every morning. Chocolate, nuts and caramel are usually easier everyday companions than very sharp or highly fermented flavours.
- A recipe that is not too long. If a coffee tastes thin or bitter, using more water is rarely the answer. Brew a shorter coffee and add hot water afterwards for an Americano-style cup.
Esencia or Finca for your machine?
Choose Esencia when you want ease
Esencia is the coffee we recommend when somebody says, “I just want a really good cup without having to think about it.” It is smooth, rounded and comfortable as a black coffee, espresso or cappuccino.
Choose Finca when you want more intensity
Finca has a deeper profile with dark cherry, chocolate and caramel. It suits somebody who wants their espresso to feel more pronounced or who likes more coffee presence through milk.
Both can be ordered as whole beans. Pick your coffee, choose whole beans for automatic machine or home grinding, select the number of bags and you are done.
A simple starting recipe
Every machine is different, but this is a useful starting point:
- Set the coffee strength around the middle or slightly above it.
- Start with a normal espresso or a cup around 80–120 ml.
- If the coffee runs very fast and tastes weak, move the grinder one step finer.
- If it runs slowly and tastes harsh, move it one step coarser.
- Change only one setting at a time and taste two cups before changing again.
Adjust the grinder while it is running if your machine manufacturer instructs you to do so. The manual of your machine always takes priority.
Do you need special beans for a fully automatic machine?
No special species of coffee is required. You need whole beans that suit the machine and your taste. Beans that are extremely dark and visibly oily can leave more residue in some grinders, so we prefer a clean, balanced roast for daily use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ground coffee in an automatic machine?
Many machines have a small bypass compartment for pre-ground coffee, but their main bean hopper is made for whole beans. Never put ground coffee in the whole-bean hopper.
Is Esencia strong enough for cappuccino?
Yes. Esencia has enough chocolate and nut character to remain present in milk while staying smooth. Choose Finca if you deliberately want a more intense result.
How many cups come from a 250 g bag?
That depends on the dose your machine uses. At roughly 8–10 g per cup, a 250 g bag makes about 25–31 coffees.
Which grind should I select at Nimmica?
Choose whole beans for a fully automatic machine. The machine will grind each dose itself.
Still unsure? Use our brewing-method guide and we will take you straight to the best match.