What Machine Does Starbucks Use? (+ Other Common FAQs)

Making a delicious cup of coffee involves many steps, starting with the quality of the beans, the roasting process, and the brewing methods. The equipment used to make the coffee also determines how the coffee will taste.

Since Starbucks is focused on quality and premium coffees, you may be wondering what machine Starbucks uses to brew a great cup of coffee time after time. Well, I researched the matter, and here’s what I discovered! 

What Machine Does Starbucks Use In 2024?

Starbucks uses the best quality machines to make different types of coffee as of 2024. For espresso, it uses the Mastrena coffee maker, which is manufactured exclusively for Starbucks by the Swiss company Thermoplan. For single-cup brewed coffee, Starbucks uses the Clover coffee maker. Starbucks owns the company that manufactures the Clover coffee makers.

If you want to know more about the machines Starbucks uses, how the Mastrena Espresso and Clover machines work, and the advantages of using them, read on for all the details!

What Coffee Makers Does Starbucks Use?

Starbucks uses the Mastrena automatic espresso machine and the Clover Coffee Machine.

That said, these are the best quality coffee-making machines for espresso and single-cup brews, respectively.

Swiss engineers design the Mastrena Espresso coffee maker for commercial use, exclusively for Starbucks.

Additionally, Starbucks uses the Clover coffee maker (designed by engineers from Stanford University) for brewing single cups of coffee.

Further, both coffee makers have computerized controls that make them easy to use.

Also, the machines produce coffee with a consistent taste every time, which is essential for quality control.

What Espresso Machine Does Starbucks Use?

Starbucks stores use the Mastrena automatic espresso coffee machine made by the Swiss company Thermoplan. 

In 1999, Starbucks signed a deal with Thermoplan to make the Mastrena Espresso machine exclusively for the company.

That said, the Mastrena is an automatic, high-performing espresso machine known as a “bean to cup” coffee maker.

Further, it has a built-in coffee grinder and a high-capacity hopper to hold the coffee beans.

So, the Mastrena Espresso coffee machine does everything from grinding the beans to brewing the espresso to delivering cups of coffee with a delicious, consistent taste.

Why Does Starbucks Use The Mastrena Espresso Machine?

Why Does Starbucks Use The Mastrena Espresso Machine?

The Mastrena Espresso machine is fully automatic and easy for the baristas to use.

With that, it handles the entire process from grinding the beans to brewing to serving a cup of coffee quickly and easily.

Also, the Mastrena Espresso machine is easy to operate and clean, with computerized controls and different grind settings.

Further, the computerized controls give the baristas control over every stage of the coffee-making process.

As well as the ability to produce a quality cup of coffee, the Mastrena works quickly and efficiently, which helps the baristas get through busy periods when they have to serve lots of customers.

Additionally, the computerized controls even have a memory that can queue up drinks so that the baristas can keep up with the rush.

The high-volume hopper can hold enough coffee beans, so it doesn’t need to be refilled constantly, letting the baristas serve many customers.

Further, the Mastrena design was modified to fit the Starbucks model of friendly customer service, which included reducing the size so that baristas could look over and interact with customers.

What Coffee Grinder Does Starbucks Use?

The Mastrena Espresso machine performs all the functions for making espresso, starting with grinding the beans.

So, Starbucks doesn’t need to use a separate grinder for its espresso, which gives the baristas a neater work counter with more space.

Where Can You Buy The Mastrena Espresso Machine?

Thermoplan, the company that makes Mastrena, produces them exclusively for Starbucks. So, the Mastrena Espresso machine is not available for sale to the public.

Also, Thermoplan does not sell the old Mastrena Espresso machines either.

What Single Brew Machine Does Starbucks Use?

For single brewed cups of coffee, Starbucks uses the Clover Coffee Maker.

That said, the decision was made by former CEO Howard Schultz, who thought that it made the best cup of coffee he’d ever tasted.

In fact, Starbucks didn’t just start using the Clover Coffee Machine; it also bought the company that makes them.

Further, the Clover coffee machine works like a French press and makes single cups of coffee, one at a time.

Therefore, baristas can control temperature and brewing time for individual cups of coffee to extract the maximum flavor, with every nuance, from the coffee beans.

Where Can You Buy A Clover Coffee Maker?

Unfortunately, you can’t buy a Clover Coffee Maker because they’re made exclusively for Starbucks. Therefore, the machines aren’t made available for sale to the public.

To know more about Starbucks, you can also read our posts on Starbucks barista, if Starbucks will grind your coffee, and how to order coffee at Starbucks.

Conclusion

For a great cup of coffee, you have to start with quality beans, but that’s just the beginning.

The roasting process brings out the flavor of the beans, which is why the equipment used to brew the coffee matters so much.

Therefore, this is why Starbucks uses the best coffee-making equipment.

Further, Starbucks uses the best coffee machines for its stores, called the Mastrena Espresso machine and the Clover Coffee machine.

These coffee machines have computerized controls, which makes it easy to operate them and control the coffee-making process at every stage.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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