Terra Kaffe Demi Review: Can This New Machine Convert Pod Users?

I’m finally getting around to writing a Terra Kaffe Demi review, and I’m pretty darn excited. After all, the Brooklyn-based company really wowed me with its TK-02 machine. Plus, this new model has been available for a few months, and it’s already made quite the splash. Then again, that’s to be expected from a Terra Kaffe espresso machine.

I haven’t yet had the chance to put the TK Demi through its paces, although I plan on doing so as soon as possible. However, seeing as the Demi shares quite a bit in common with the TK-02, I know what to expect, quality-wise. So, without further ado, let’s get into my initial Terra Kaffe Demi review!

Small and stylish

Terra Kaffe Demi Compact

An elegant machine for espresso lovers

Compact footprint

Stylish design

Easy to use

Good value

No milk system

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Terra Kaffe Demi Compact
Manufacturer	Terra Kaffe
Model number	TK Demi
Product category	Super automatic espresso machine
Removable brew group
Housing material	Plastic with stainless steel parts
Color options	Dune, Forest, Sky, Slate
Milk frother	None
User interface	Text display with buttons and dials
App
User profiles	Memo function only
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	47.3 fl oz / 1.4 l
Number of boilers	1
Pump pressure	15 bar
Maximum cup height	5.7 in / 14.5 cm
Minimum cup height	1.9 in / 4.8 cm
Grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder
Grind adjustment levels	5
Bean hopper capacity	4.6 oz / 130.0 g
Pre-ground coffee bypass
Grounds discard container capacity	7
Specialty drinks	4
Pre-infusion
Adjustable coffee temperature
Adjustable milk foam temperature
Adjustable milk temperature
2-cup function	No
Pot function
Hot water function
Hot milk function
Milk foam only option
Water filter
Power consumption	1350 W
Weight	17.0 lb / 7.7 kg
Dimensions	12.8 x 7.5 x 15.7 in 32.5 x 19.1 x 39.9 cm
Warranty	1 year
Notes	Included Accessories: User manual
Current price on Amazon	$795.00
All specifications

Terra Kaffe Demi Review Overview

Terra Kaffe isn’t like other espresso machine manufacturers. Rather than flood the market with dozens of machines, these guys quietly work away at trying to achieve their idea of perfection. That’s why the Terra Kaffe Demi Compact is just the third model released.

Arriving a couple of years after the massively successful Terra Kaffe TK-02, the Demi Compact is a completely different proposition from its sibling. Whereas the TK-02 is big, bold and ambitious, the Terra Kaffe Demi is simple, streamlined and compact. There’s no app connectivity, no touchscreen display and no milk frother. Rather, the TK Demi is a small and perfectly formed fully automatic espresso and coffee maker.

It turns out that by releasing the Demi, Terra Kaffe is the latest manufacturer to take on the coffee capsule industry head on. They even make a point of mentioning this (in a very cute way) in their promotional materials. Personally, I love to see this; I really feel like the tide is turning, and more folks are embracing the idea of making coffee from actual coffee beans. So, if you’re thinking of ditching the Nespresso pod machine for high-quality, fuss-free espresso, the Demi could be just the ticket.

If the guys running Terra Kaffe are to be believed, they’re on a mission to elevate coffee at home and make quality machines more accessible to everyone. You can dismiss that as clever marketing if you want, but the fact remains that Terra Kaffe puts a lot of time and thought into its products. What’s more, you’ll spend just $795.00 on the Demi Compact. Sure, that’s a chunk of change. But to put things in perspective, you’ll spend $1,099.00 on the Jura ENA 4, another compact machine without milk frothing capabilities.

Terra Kaffe Demi Compact Features

Now that we’ve established what we’re dealing with, let’s continue this Terra Kaffe Demi review by looking at the machine’s most notable features.

Size and Design

I happen to love the way the TK-02 looks, but I could see how its in-your-face design might not be to everyone’s taste. Enter the Terra Kaffe Demi, which oozes understated charm and crowd-pleasing good looks.

Terra Kaffe has really changed things up for this machine, replacing the boxy shape and severe lines with rounded edges, matte finishing and an altogether softer vibe. The result is an absolutely gorgeous coffee maker that’ll quietly steal the show in your kitchen. Ultimately, the Terra Kaffe Demi is modern, low-key and classy to the max.

As I’ve already mentioned, the TK Demi takes up very little space, which is a huge part of its appeal. After all, if you’re trying to lure pod users away from their machines, the alternative has to be able to compete in this regard. Anyway, with a width of 7.5 inches (19 centimeters) and rising to just under 12 inches (30 centimeters), I’m fairly sure this baby will fit in even the most petite kitchen.

Colors

The Terra Kaffe Demi is available in four colors: Dune, Forest, Sky and Slate. And while I’m used to laughing into my coffee as I read about the latest colorway that Jura has conjured up, I’m surprised that Terra Kaffe has gone down this road.

Not that I’m judging, mind you. In fact, I’d say this is yet another really smart move by the manufacturer. As it happens, the Demi looks great in any of the available colors, all of which are very modern and trendy. Besides, it’s great to have options for matching your coffee machine to your kitchen decor!

User Interface

In another radical departure, the manufacturer has abandoned its touchscreen interface this time around. In its place you’ll find a retro-looking dot-matrix screen displaying text and a chunky dial to the side.

Personally, I love what the design team has done here. And though I love touchscreens as much as the next guy, equipping the TK Demi with a tactile and intuitive UI only serves to make it more approachable.

From what I can tell, navigating the machine’s menus is super intuitive. What’s more, you’ll see dots above the text display to let you know how deep into the menu you’ve gone. Seriously, thoughtful little touches like that make all the difference, showing that these guys really care about the user experience.

Specialty Drinks

Seeing as there’s no milk frother on board, the Terra Kaffe Demi’s specialty drink selection is very limited. Then again, that’s the whole point of this machine – to strip away the things you don’t need. What’s on offer here is a menu consisting of espresso, lungo, americano and coffee. Plus, there’s a dedicated spout for hot water, so you can use the TK Demi to make tea if you’d like.

As far as tweaking your brew goes, you’re able to adjust temperature, strength (dose of ground coffee used) and volume. You can also add an extra shot at any time during the brewing process. Ultimately, the Terra Kaffe Demi offers a superb level of customization, allowing you to really dial in your drink.

Conical Burr Grinder

The Terra Kaffe Demi is equipped with the same stainless steel conical burr grinder as its sibling. And although it only has five grind adjustment settings, the grinder is well-calibrated for espresso. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that the Terra Kaffe grinder performs quickly and efficiently.

With that said, I can only hope that the manufacturer has added some sound-deadening insulation this time. If I remember correctly, the TK-02’s grinder was very loud during operation, which kind of took me by surprise. I mean, it wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it wouldn’t be ideal first thing in the morning if others were still asleep!

Incidentally, the TK Demi’s 4.6-ounce (130-gram) bean hopper is very small. However, I see that as a good thing. It means you’ll be keeping most of your beans in a quality coffee storage container instead!

Removable Brew Unit

Even after all these years, I still get nervous when I can’t access a fully automatic machine’s brew unit. That’s why I’m relieved to see that Terra Kaffe has made the Demi’s brew unit removable for easy hands-on cleaning.

As it happens, this is the same hybrid brew unit used in the TK-02, meaning the machine will be able to change the way it brews to achieve drip-style coffee. And while I wasn’t exactly blown away by the “coffee” from the TK-02, it’s nice to have the option.

By the way, I should mention that the TK Demi will grind and brew for every shot, meaning you’ll get an actual espresso each time you ask for an extra shot. I’m only pointing this out because some machines are guilty of simply running water through the puck twice then calling the result a double shot.

Water Tank

As you might expect, the Terra Kaffe Demi’s rear-mounted water reservoir has a limited 47-ounce (1.4-liter) capacity. But as with the bean hopper, I see this as a positive thing, and for the same reason.

As I’ve pointed out elsewhere, leaving water sitting for weeks at a time in huge tanks only promotes algae growth. And unless you like a little extra “something” in your coffee, you’d be well advised to use fresh water each day. So, whereas some folks might see the TK Demi’s small tank as a compromise, I see it as encouraging!

With all that said, I will point out that I preferred the placement of the TK-02’s reservoir at the front of the machine. Then again, You just can’t win ’em all.

Drip Tray & Waste Bin

The Terra Kaffe Demi has a decent-sized drip tray that you can easily pull out for emptying and rinsing. Behind the drip tray you’ll find the waste bin, which holds around seven used pucks.

While the machine’s drip tray certainly looks the part, I wonder if it isn’t a little shallow. I mean, I get that the Demi is meant for espresso drinkers, but I’m not sure whether I could comfortably fit the larger of my favorite mugs on there. On the other hand, I’m probably just worrying over nothing.

By the way, I’m happy to report that the Demi’s moveable brew unit offers a maximum cup clearance of 5.7 inches (14.5 centimeters). That’s more than the TK-02, which is rather surprising.

How Do I Use the Terra Kaffe Demi?

Terra Kaffe has designed the Demi Compact as a “plug n play” device, so you should be able to unbox the thing and start making coffee lickety split. Once you’ve plugged in the machine, add fresh water to the reservoir. Oh, and install the water filter beforehand if you’re using one. Next, fill the hopper with your best espresso beans and hit the power button on the left side of the machine.

The Terra Kaffe Demi will guide you through an initial setup process, wherein the machine heats up and rinses. Once that’s done, you’re ready to make some coffee!

To make an espresso, rotate the dial until “espresso” shows up on the screen. Then, press the dial and the Demi will start the brewing process. And don’t forget that you can add an extra shot while your drink is being prepared.

If you want to adjust drink settings, rotate the dial until “menu” shows up. Once you’ve pressed the dial, you can go into “drink settings” and fiddle around to your heart’s content. Elsewhere in the menu you’ll find options for things like setting the time and when the machine goes to sleep as well as the cleaning programs.

How Do I Clean the TK Demi Compact?

Let’s face it, cleaning and descaling a fully automatic machine is a more involved process than with a drip coffee maker. Still, compared to many of its competitors, the Terra Kaffe Demi is fairly easy to clean and maintain. The machine will alert you if anything that needs taking care of via the display. There are four groups of dots that light up, each indicating a cleaning job that’s due:

I won’t go into detail about how to perform these tasks – that’s what the user manual is for. However, I will recommend that you don’t ignore the machine when it tells you it needs something!

Elsewhere, make sure to empty and rinse both the drip tray and used puck container on a daily basis. Trust me, both will get nasty very quickly if left to their own devices. Once a week, empty the water tank and give it a good rinse with a little dish soap. Oh, and it never hurts to wipe out the bean hopper here and there to remove coffee oils.

Terra Kaffe Demi vs TK-02

I’ve mentioned the Terra Kaffe TK-02 throughout this Terra Kaffe Demi review, but I figured it’d be a good idea to write a quick comparison section.

Costing $1,995.00, the TK-02 is more than twice the price of the Demi. However, you’re getting a whole lot more in terms of size and functionality. For starters, the Terra Kaffe TK-02 has a slick touchscreen display as well as a really cool automatic milk system. Plus, the machine is fully connected and the Terra Kaffe app is very well-conceived.

I had a great time testing the TK-02 and I was extremely impressed by its performance. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the best fully automatic espresso machines I’ve used.

With all that said, the Terra Kaffe Demi’s target audience has no need for a milk system and a fancy app. Rather, folks buying this machine want to quickly prepare excellent espresso and coffee. Ultimately, I have to hand it to the manufacturer for creating two very different machines at two very different (but equally reasonable) price points.

See Also: Terra Kaffe TK-02 Review

Terra Kaffe Demi vs TK-02 Comparison Chart

Verdict: Terra Kaffe Demi Review

Small and stylish

Terra Kaffe Demi Compact

An elegant machine for espresso lovers

Compact footprint

Stylish design

Easy to use

Good value

No milk system

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Terra Kaffe Demi Compact
Manufacturer	Terra Kaffe
Model number	TK Demi
Product category	Super automatic espresso machine
Removable brew group
Housing material	Plastic with stainless steel parts
Color options	Dune, Forest, Sky, Slate
Milk frother	None
User interface	Text display with buttons and dials
App
User profiles	Memo function only
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	47.3 fl oz / 1.4 l
Number of boilers	1
Pump pressure	15 bar
Maximum cup height	5.7 in / 14.5 cm
Minimum cup height	1.9 in / 4.8 cm
Grinder	Stainless steel conical burr grinder
Grind adjustment levels	5
Bean hopper capacity	4.6 oz / 130.0 g
Pre-ground coffee bypass
Grounds discard container capacity	7
Specialty drinks	4
Pre-infusion
Adjustable coffee temperature
Adjustable milk foam temperature
Adjustable milk temperature
2-cup function	No
Pot function
Hot water function
Hot milk function
Milk foam only option
Water filter
Power consumption	1350 W
Weight	17.0 lb / 7.7 kg
Dimensions	12.8 x 7.5 x 15.7 in 32.5 x 19.1 x 39.9 cm
Warranty	1 year
Notes	Included Accessories: User manual
Current price on Amazon	$795.00
All specifications

As we’ve seen, the Terra Kaffe Demi is a compact and beautiful fully automatic coffee maker. What’s more, this thing promises to deliver excellent espresso at the touch of a button.

Having previously tested a few machines without milk systems that felt overpriced, I’d say the Terra Kaffe Demi represents great value for money. Besides, you can always use a standalone milk frother to prepare the odd cappuccino. Feel free to check out my guide to the best milk frothers if you want some inspiration.

After writing this initial Terra Kaffe Demi review I’m itching to get my hands on the thing. So, keep checking back if you’re interested to find out what I think!