From Tea to Coffee: My Journey
I started drinking tea at the age of 10, and for years, coffee felt like an unattainable luxury. My first experience with “real coffee” was during a date with my girlfriend at a local coffee shop. Clueless about what to order, I trusted the barista’s recommendation and tried a cappuccino. That first sip was a revelation.
At home, coffee meant a cup of basic Nescafé, which tasted more like milky tea. My real coffee journey began when I started working from local coffee shops, skipping the office to enjoy a more relaxed and creative environment. Yet, I never gave up on tea—mornings began with tea, while the rest of my day revolved around coffee.
From Mr. Coffee to Breville Barista Pro
When I launched my startup and set up an office, a coffee machine was a top priority. I started with a basic Mr. Coffee model, which served its purpose but lacked the artistry and joy of making real coffee.
Two years later, I upgraded to the Breville Barista Pro. While some debate whether Breville machines qualify as “real” espresso machines, for me, it was a significant investment and felt like the real deal. I experimented with accessories, perfected my brewing skills, and made coffee preparation a family affair, with even my 9-year-old joining in.
Enter the Breville Oracle Jet
One day, I stumbled upon the Breville Oracle Jet and was immediately intrigued by its auto-tamping and auto-frothing features. My wife, who had never used our Barista Pro due to its complexity, could finally operate this machine.
After weeks of watching reviews and reading forums, I placed my order. Before the delivery, I attended a Breville espresso workshop at Best Buy, where I noticed some flaws in their demo machine. The staff assured me it was due to mishandling by customers, so I eagerly awaited the arrival of my Oracle Jet.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Packaging
Breville’s minimalist packaging impressed me. Unlike previous models that listed every feature on the box, this one was simple, clean, and premium.
Accessories
The Oracle Jet includes everything you need:
- 58mm portafilter (single and dual baskets included)
- Milk pitcher
- Water filter
- Knock box
- Water hardness test strip
- Descaler and cleaning tools
One disappointment, however, was the proprietary portafilter design, which limits compatibility with other professional machines like Gaggia or Rocket. It felt like Apple’s exclusive charging ports—a minor inconvenience, but not a dealbreaker.
The Oracle Jet: Design and Features
At first glance, the Breville Oracle Jet looks impressive, especially when the built-in lights are on. The touch screen is bright, high-resolution, and highly responsive. The overall design takes inspiration from the Barista Pro and Barista Touch but is slightly larger than both. Personally, I like the design. I already owned the Barista Pro in silver, I quickly noticed a difference: the front panel of the Oracle Jet feels like plastic, designed to mimic a stainless-steel finish. While it looks good from the front, it can appear a bit odd from certain angles. I’m not sure why Breville made this change—replacing stainless steel with a stainless steel paint finish
One of my favorite design elements is the built-in light, which adds a warm and stylish touch, especially at dawn or during evening coffee sessions. Another practical improvement is the ability to pour water from the top front of the machine, making it much more convenient. Additionally, the bean hopper now holds 340 grams of coffee beans, which is an upgrade.
Key Features
- ThermoJet Technology: Dual thermojets (one for water and one for the group head) provide faster heating and are 32% more energy-efficient.
- Auto Milk Frothing Wand: Thicker than previous models, with a built-in temperature gauge for precision frothing.
- Over-the-Air Updates: Software updates via Wi-Fi bring new features and improvements, like fixing the auto-frothing issue.
- Easy Maneuverability: A lever at the base lets you lift and move the machine effortlessly.
- Cold Brew Mode: A standout feature that delivers smooth, flavorful espresso shots for iced coffee lovers.
Setup and Operation
The setup process, though detailed, is intuitive and user-friendly. It guides you through:
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Bean selection
- Grind size adjustments
- Milk preferences
- Temperature settings
In just a few minutes, I was pulling my first shot of espresso.
Performance: Auto-Tamp and Frothing
Auto-Tamp
The auto-tamp feature is a game-changer, eliminating the need for third-party accessories. However, it occasionally fails to tamp properly, requiring manual intervention. A dedicated auto-tamp-only option would be a welcome addition.
Auto-Frothing
Initially, I struggled with the auto-frothing mode, as it produced large bubbles instead of creamy microfoam. After tweaking the pitcher position and settings, I achieved excellent results. Manual frothing, however, worked perfectly from the start.
Touchscreen and Menu
The touchscreen on the Oracle Jet is sharp, responsive, and offers full control over your coffee-making process. From adjusting the grind size and pulling espresso shots to customizing hot water temperature, theme (light or dark), steam settings, milk preferences, drink size, and milk texture, everything can be tailored to your exact taste. Each setting can be easily adjusted, allowing for a personalized coffee experience. Additionally, the machine offers a queueing feature, so you can seamlessly manage the brewing process. For example, while pulling an espresso shot, you can tap the steam option, and once the shot is finished, it will automatically start steaming the milk.
One exciting addition to the menu is the cold brew, which works exceptionally well. If you enjoy cold espresso drinks, this feature is a must-try. What’s interesting is that when you pull a cold brew shot, the system doesn’t engage both thermojet heaters, which contributes to a smoother extraction. While I’m not entirely sure how it works under the hood, the results speak for themselves—it’s a game-changer for cold brew lovers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Design:
Sleek, modern aesthetics with built-in lights and compact dimensions for most countertops. - Ease of Use:
Auto-tamping and frothing make it beginner-friendly.
Front-fill water tank adds convenience. - Family-Friendly:
My wife and son can now make coffee independently. - Cold Brew Mode:
A unique and delightful feature for iced coffee enthusiasts.
Cons
- Fit and Finish:
Some areas lack the premium feel expected at this price point. - Material Confusion:
The front panel feels like plastic but mimics stainless steel because of the paint. However, on Breville’s website, they list stainless steel as part of the construction material, which creates confusion about the actual material used.
Final Verdict
As a coffee enthusiast, you’re investing $3,000 CAD ($2,000 USD) in a machine, and naturally, you expect something exceptional in return. I’ve been using Breville machines for the past five years, and they’ve never let me down. In my personal opinion, Breville has cut corners to increase their profit margins, which is why I can notice some flaws in the design and finish of their premium Oracle Jet model. If it were priced at $2,000 CAD or $1,500 USD, I wouldn’t mind as much, but we’re paying a premium here. That said, functionally, it works well. I would love to see an option for just auto-tamping, which could perhaps be added via an over-the-air software update. The cold brew feature works exceptionally well and tastes fantastic. The machine also looks great on the kitchen countertop, thanks to its design and built-in lights. Overall, I rate it 3.9 /5—room for improvement, but still a solid choice for coffee lovers.
