Lavazza vs Jura: Italy Takes on Switzerland – Who Will Win?
You’d be forgiven if you thought this was the headline of a well-anticipated football match coming up, but alas, it’s actually a review we’ve done to compare Lavazza (Italy) and Jura (Switzerland) to find the ultimate coffee manufacturer. There are already two opposing sides on this – those who firmly believe that as Italy was the origin of coffee machines, and thus should hold the title of best coffee machine manufacturer – and those who believe in Swiss-made quality and that Jura (who has Roger Federer as their ambassador) has earned the right to boast the title of “best”.
Our objective is to compare, side by side, the factors and components that make a coffee machine great – and see who truly wins at being the world’s best coffee machine manufacturer.
Lavazza History Overview
The founding forefather of Lavazza, Mr. Luigi Lavazza, opened up a grocery store in 1895.
Luigi later embarked on a trip to Brazil after working with coffee beans for quite some time, allowing him to fully immerse himself into what would become an art, in later times.
Fast forward thirty-two years, and we’re seeing Fiat motor cars going into production for the very first time, along with Mr. Lavazza himself taking some definably huge strides. What’s more important than this huge stride for economic growth in Italy was the birth and implementation of a now common method of coffee packaging – Pergamin.
Nearly twenty years later, after WWII, and a crippling embargo on the import of coffee into Italy, Luigi Lavazza made yet another defining coffee industry stride. They streamlined their business into the reselling of packaged and branded coffee beans for sale to the public, as opposed to loose beans sold to whomsoever wanted them.
Another seven years on, Lavazza built it’s very own coffee bean roasting plant, which had a roasting capacity of 40 tons per day! This was a first time experience for Italy, which was in the middle of an economic firework show. Decaffeinated coffee made it’s debut appearance in 1959. Only six years later, Lavazza had explained to such an extent, they were able to open the record breaking largest coffee roasting plant in Europe.
1989 – not only the year Taylor Swift was born, but the year Lavazza introduced a technology that was perhaps too far ahead of its time. The Lavazza Espresso Point system: an espresso machine that uses single-serve pre-packed coffee capsules. Yes, capsule coffee machines were invented as long ago as you and I were, but they only readily gained popularity on (I’d say) the last decade or so.
Being the first innovator of the Espreso Machine allowed Luigi Lavazza to secure3 his name in the history books, for what will be known as one of the greatest inventions of modern times.
What Coffee Machines Does Lavazza Make?
(To see the full Lavazza overview – click here)
A brief overview of the coffee machines made by Lavazza:
1) Lavazza Coffee Machines
LB Compact
Lavazza LB Compact
Ideal for a home or an office space of less than 5 people, who want the convenience of Lavazza Blue at the touch of a button. Compact and simplistic design.
LB 1100
Lavazza LB 1100
Pininfarina design means this machine is luxury, elegance and undoubted style all wrapped into one. Never heard the term before? It’s a design that shaped the Lamborghini into what it is. Holding 17 used capsules at capacity, this machine is the bigger brother to the PB Compact.
LB 1150
Lavazza LB Preziosa
Preziosa Fine black glass and aluminium finishings give an air of unmistakable regalness to this machine. It’s output capabilities and dimensions are very close to the LB 1100, so if you are looking to make a lasting impression, this may be the logical step up.
LB 1200 Galactica
Lavazza LB 1200 Galactica
We have now stepped up into the realm of fresh milk machines. We know fresh milk is a vital step to achieving café-quality coffee at home. Combining the convenience of capsules with fresh milk, pre-set buttons further allow you to brew cappuccino’s, latte macchiato’s and chocolate flavoured drinks. The design of this machine is sleek and modern, and has surprisingly small dimensions for what it can do.
LB 2300
Lavazza LB 2300
Single Cup – Yet another Pininfarina designed machine, this capsule machine has an output capacity (in terms of water tank size) of 100 Espresso’s! (That’s a 4litre tank capacity). This makes it a nice fit for a smaller to medium office.
LB 2301
Lavazza LB 2301
Single Cup Steam is the handsome twin of the LB 2300; with the addition of a steam wand, you can whip up a fresh milk cappuccino and still have the convenience of a capsule coffee.
LB2302 Double Cup
Lavazza LB 2302
The biggest selling feature of this particular model is ease of convenience. It has precisely the same layout (including the steam wand) as the 2301 Single Cup Steam – but it has a double spout. The same 4 litre water tanks means you’ll get the exact same output, but you can dispense two cups of coffee at once. A better consideration for those who value the convenience of a quicker cup of coffee.
LB 4700 WEGA
Lavazza LB 4700 WEGA
We have again moved into a completely new league with this type of machine. While the machine is capable of utilising pre-ground coffee, it is also compatible with Lavazza Blue capsules. A great choice for your café space, with it’s cup warmer, double porta-filter and double steam wand for frothing milk.
LB 4100
Lavazza LB 4100
Imagine a restaurant-quality coffee machine, designed to fit into a compact space. An eight cup warmer, double porta-filter and double steam wand, this machine does the same amount of work in half the space.
Colibri Automatic
Lavazza Colibri Automatic
This is the smallest automatic coffee machine in the vending range, and suits a smaller office-type environment best. With it’s 8-selection panel and vending machine layout, it’s ease of use is a winning point. It has a capsule capacity of 140 capsules.
Colibri Semi-Automatic
Lavazza Colibri Semi Automatic
This machine carries all the convenience of the Colibri Automatic, but sugar, spoons and cups need to be manually dispensed. This is something to consider if your aim for obtaining a coffee solution is to control usage – this machine may not provide you with the level of control you need. It also boasts a capsule capacity of 140 capsules
Colibri Manuale
Lavazza Colibri Manuale
Also boasting an 8-drink selection display, but no external bean hopper or internal grinder. Great for office environments where users will be regular, and not “new users” – who may find the manual systems a bit tricky at first. It also has a 140-capsule capacity.
Brio
Lavazza Brio
We level up again on this machine; the Brio coffee vending machine sports a 14-drink-selection display and has capacity for 240 capsules! This machine is automatic, easy to use and best suited to a larger office environment.
Kikko By Lavazza
Lavazza Kikko
Is an excellently suited coffee solution for larger business and communities. It’s 280 capsule capacity means a high turnaround time for a large output, and if you’re looking for a hybrid solution to cater to considerably large amounts, consider this choice.
Jura History Overview
Since 1931, the Swiss company JURA Elektroapparate AG has been developing innovative high-end household appliances.
As a pioneer in the field of automatic espresso/coffee machines JURA has been a main contributor to the household appliance sector since the middle of the 1980s. Now, the company uses its experience and know-how for the development of semi-professional appliances for the office and foodservice sector.
The traditional Swiss brand has now become a global player. The main office of the company is located in Niederbuchsiten, Switzerland. JURA is represented in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, the US, the UK, Australia, Spain, Sweden and South-East Asia by its own sales organisations and joint ventures. In many parts of the world the company is entering the market closely cooperating with distributors.
What Coffee Machines Does Jura Make?
(Read all about Jura’s entire range right here!)
Jura A Range Coffee Machines
The A range from Jura is their newest range. This is an entry-level machine, sans any type of built-in milk system. This means that it’s best suited for a home or small office environment, which in turn means less people using the machine on a first-time basis. Once you’ve shown the users once or twice, and allowed them to use the machine themselves a few times, they’ll be able to brew a cuppa without a second of hesitation.
The A-range from Jura features three buttons on their basic display – one for each of the three varied sizes of coffee drinks. It might be a little confusing for first time users, but once shown, it’s one of the most basic displays to use.
Jura E Range Coffee Machines
E-range coffee machines from Jura are considered the informal “replacements” for the F range of machines. Their user interface and aesthetic have been amongst some of their most celebrated improvements, and for good reason. The display is as easy to use as anyone could imagine. Integrated milk frothing systems allow you to have a latte (or cappuccino) with one simple touch – no moving of mugs, adjusting of milk-froth-texture or anything of the like.
For medium sized offices, this is a dream come true for ease of use and speed.
Jura F Range Coffee Machines
The F range is somewhat of a pivotal point in terms of the display and ease of use in Jura coffee machines. Some of the F range machines feature the introductory (at that stage) TFT screens with rotary dials. This type of display makes the F ranges exceptionally easy to use, because instead of deciphering pictures, cup sizes etc., all your options are displayed on-screen and allow your selection process to be much quicker and more streamlined.
For it’s ideal use, it will be located in a medium sized office, and with one or two demonstrations, staff will be able to make their morning (tea time, afternoon AND lunch time coffee’s) with no hassle at all.
Jura X Range Coffee Machines
The XS range is a black or white situation. This is the cornerstone of a coffee-holic large office. It gets the job done, and does it well. However, the display is a bit tricky. It is a basic LCD screen display, and to brew a cuppa requires button-selection of the type of coffee you want., The milk-based drinks are located to the opposite side of the machine, so unless you offer extensive training to users or the tea lady, this is maybe not the most user friendly of Jura’s ranges.
However, the XJ range has taken from that downfall and improved the situation. The XJ range has a colour display and is far easier (and more fun) to use. For a larger office, a few training sessions should seal the deal in terms of user friendliness.
Jura GIGA Range Coffee Machines
This monster is designed to cater for the largest of large offices, For this reason, it has to be easy (and fast) to use – in order to successfully serve all those who require it throughout the day.
Again – the colour display and selection is far improved upon and makes for some of the least complicated drink selections and brewing methods and automatic coffee machine can produce. Select which bean hopper to use from, choose from pre-selects – this is as easy as a big office machine gets.
Lavazza vs Jura: Who Wins?
Both companies have been around for ages; their footprint, their innovation and their technologies are on par with one another (in my opinion at least). While some of the machines might be better suited to your own specific environment and needs, their build quality and brand name are steadfast. Some might suit offices better, while other will suit homes better.
One thing is for sure – Lavazza and Jura are both trusted names in coffee and you surely won’t go wrong when choosing either of the two brands!