Breville Barista Touch Impress
- Intuitive touchscreen for easy operation.
- Built-in grinder for fresh coffee grounds.
- Automatic milk frothing for perfect textures.
Pros
- Touchscreen Display: The intuitive touchscreen is incredibly easy to use, making it simple to customize your drinks.
- Automatic Tamping: This feature ensures perfect tamping pressure every time, leading to consistent espresso shots.
- Customizable Profiles: You can save up to eight personalized coffee settings, perfect for households with different preferences.
- High-Quality Microfoam: The steam wand produces excellent milk foam, ideal for making lattes and cappuccinos.
- Built-in Grinder: The integrated grinder delivers fresh grounds, and the grind size is adjustable for different brewing styles.
Cons
- Price: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is on the expensive side, so it may not be suitable for those on a tight budget.
- Size: It’s a bit bulky, so it requires sufficient counter space in your kitchen.
As a coffee aficionado, I have always aspired to master the art of espresso making. When I discovered the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I was intrigued by its promise to deliver a café-like experience right at home. Over the past month, I’ve been using this machine extensively, exploring its features, performance, and overall value. Here’s my detailed review, including the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress
The unboxing experience set the tone for what to expect. The Breville Barista Touch Impress came securely packaged, with every component meticulously wrapped. The sleek stainless steel design immediately stood out, making a statement of both style and functionality. Included in the box were essential accessories: a 54mm portafilter, filter baskets, a stainless steel milk jug, and a built-in grinder. It felt like Breville had thought of everything to kickstart the espresso journey.
Setting it up was a breeze, thanks to the user-friendly touchscreen interface. A step-by-step guide walked me through the process, ensuring the machine was calibrated and ready to use within minutes.
Breville Barista Touch Impress Review: Design and Build Quality
One of the first things I noticed about the Breville Barista Touch Impress was its modern design. The stainless steel finish not only looks elegant but is also resistant to fingerprints—a huge plus for maintaining a clean appearance. The compact footprint fits easily on my countertop, leaving plenty of room for other kitchen essentials.
The build quality feels robust, with no flimsy parts or corners cut. The touchscreen interface is a standout feature, both visually appealing and functional. Navigating through settings and drink options feels intuitive, even for a first-time user.
Using the Breville Barista Touch Impress for Espresso
Brewing espresso with the Breville Barista Touch Impress is where this machine truly shines. The built-in grinder offers 30 grind settings, allowing for precise adjustments to achieve the perfect espresso shot. I experimented with several grind sizes, and the results were consistently impressive.
The assisted tamping lever—a unique feature of this model—eliminates the guesswork in tamping. It applies just the right amount of pressure, resulting in evenly packed coffee grounds. This attention to detail is a game-changer, especially for someone still perfecting their barista skills.
The machine’s ThermoJet heating system deserves special mention. It heats up in seconds, making it ideal for busy mornings when every second counts. The extraction process is smooth, with the machine maintaining a stable temperature throughout.
Milk Frothing with the Breville Barista Touch Impress
As someone who loves lattes and cappuccinos, the milk frothing capabilities of the Breville Barista Touch Impress were critical for me. The machine features an automatic frothing system called AutoMilQ, designed to create silky microfoam for various milk types, including plant-based options.
Testing it with almond and oat milk, I was impressed by the consistency and texture of the foam. It elevated the overall quality of my drinks, making them taste as if they were crafted by a professional barista. The steam wand is easy to clean, adding to the convenience factor.
Customization Options on the Breville Barista Touch Impress
Customization is where the Breville Barista Touch Impress excels. From grind size to coffee strength, milk temperature, and texture, the machine allows for complete control over the brewing process. The touchscreen interface makes it simple to adjust settings and save personalized drink profiles. I’ve saved my go-to recipes for a flat white, a latte, and a cappuccino, and accessing them is as easy as tapping the screen.
This level of customization makes the machine versatile enough to cater to multiple preferences, whether you like your coffee bold and strong or creamy and mild.
Cleaning and Maintenance of the Breville Barista Touch Impress
Maintaining the Breville Barista Touch Impress has been surprisingly straightforward. The machine provides regular prompts for cleaning, ensuring that you never miss essential maintenance tasks. The drip tray and water tank are easy to remove and clean, while the included cleaning tools make accessing hard-to-reach areas a breeze.
Descaling the machine is a bit more involved, but the on-screen instructions make the process manageable. Regular maintenance is crucial to keeping the machine in top shape, and Breville has made it as hassle-free as possible.
Comparing Breville Barista Touch Impress to Other Models
Having used other espresso machines in the past, I couldn’t help but compare the Breville Barista Touch Impress to its counterparts. In Breville’s lineup, the Barista Express Impress is a more budget-friendly option but lacks the touchscreen interface and automatic frothing system. The Oracle Touch, on the other hand, offers even more automation but comes with a significantly higher price tag.
For me, the Breville Barista Touch Impress strikes the perfect balance. It combines the convenience of automation with the control of a semi-automatic machine, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced users.
Breville Barista Touch Impress Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ease of Use: The touchscreen interface and guided prompts simplify the entire coffee-making process.
- Customization: Extensive options for grind size, coffee strength, and milk texture cater to all preferences.
- Milk Frothing: The AutoMilQ system delivers high-quality microfoam for both dairy and non-dairy milk.
- Quick Heating: The ThermoJet system ensures the machine is ready to use within seconds.
- Compact Design: Fits easily on most countertops without compromising functionality.
Cons:
- Price: At $1,500, it’s a significant investment.
- Water Tank Placement: Located at the rear, making it slightly inconvenient to access.
- No Bean Hopper Alert: The machine doesn’t notify you when the bean hopper is empty.
Product Review Conclusion: Breville Barista Touch Impress Review
After weeks of daily use, I can confidently say that the Breville Barista Touch Impress is worth the hype. It strikes an impressive balance between convenience, customization, and performance. The ability to craft barista-quality coffee at home with minimal effort is a game-changer for any coffee enthusiast.
Yes, the price tag is steep, but for those who take their coffee seriously, this machine is an investment in quality and convenience. From the intuitive touchscreen to the assisted tamping and automatic frothing features, every aspect of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed to elevate your coffee experience.
Whether you’re a novice looking to explore the world of espresso or an experienced barista seeking a reliable home machine, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is a standout choice. It has undoubtedly transformed my mornings, and I can’t imagine going back to pre-ground coffee or subpar espresso.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Breville Barista Touch Impress
Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?
A: Absolutely! The Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed with a user-friendly touchscreen interface that guides beginners through every step of the coffee-making process. Features like assisted tamping and automatic milk frothing make it approachable for those new to espresso machines.
Q: How long does it take for the machine to heat up?
A: Thanks to the ThermoJet heating system, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is ready to brew in just 3 seconds. This quick heat-up time is perfect for busy mornings when you’re short on time.
Q: Can I use non-dairy milk for frothing?
A: Yes, the machine’s AutoMilQ system is compatible with various types of milk, including almond, oat, soy, and coconut. It adjusts the steam settings to create high-quality microfoam regardless of the milk type.
Q: How customizable are the coffee settings?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress offers extensive customization. You can adjust grind size, coffee strength, milk texture, and temperature. Additionally, the machine allows you to save up to eight personalized drink profiles for quick and easy access.
Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to clean?
A: Yes, the machine prompts you for regular cleaning cycles and has removable parts, such as the drip tray and water tank, which are easy to wash. It also includes cleaning tools to maintain the grinder and other components.
Q: How much coffee does the bean hopper hold?
A: The bean hopper can hold up to 250 grams (approximately 8.8 ounces) of coffee beans. However, the machine does not provide an alert when the hopper is empty, so it’s important to check it periodically.
Q: Does the machine include a warranty?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress typically comes with a one-year limited warranty, though this may vary by region or retailer. Be sure to check the details when purchasing.
Q: How does this model compare to other Breville machines?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress strikes a balance between affordability and advanced features. It offers more automation than the Barista Express Impress but is less expensive than the Oracle Touch, making it an excellent mid-range option.
These FAQs address common concerns and provide insights into why the Breville Barista Touch Impress is such a popular choice for home coffee enthusiasts.