Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As a coffee lover who enjoys the artistry of espresso but also appreciates modern conveniences, I’ve always been on the lookout for a machine that strikes the perfect balance. Enter the Breville Barista Touch Impress. After using this espresso machine for several weeks, I’m excited to share my insights in this review, where I’ll break down its features, performance, and overall value.

Initial Impressions of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

The first thing I noticed when I unboxed the Breville Barista Touch Impress was its sleek and professional design. It’s clear that Breville is aiming for a premium look, and they’ve succeeded. The stainless-steel finish immediately gives off that high-end coffee shop vibe. The touchscreen display was another standout feature at first glance. With its intuitive interface, I could tell right away that this machine was designed with user-friendliness in mind.

Setting Up the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Setting up the Breville Barista Touch Impress was a surprisingly smooth process. I’ve used other espresso machines that required a detailed read-through of a hefty manual, but that wasn’t the case here. Breville provides step-by-step instructions on the screen as soon as you power up the machine. Within minutes, I was able to fill the water tank, add beans to the hopper, and get the machine ready for its first use. One feature that immediately caught my attention was the built-in grinder. I’ve always believed that freshly ground beans make all the difference, and the convenience of having a grinder built into the machine was a huge plus.

Brewing with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

When it came time to make my first espresso, the Breville Barista Touch Impress truly started to shine. The touchscreen interface allows you to choose from several coffee styles, from espresso to flat whites, and it even lets you customize everything from grind size to milk texture. The personalization options were particularly impressive. For instance, you can adjust the temperature and strength of your espresso, which is a feature I didn’t realize I needed until I had it.

I started with a simple espresso shot. The built-in grinder automatically dosed the right amount of coffee, and the tamping feature gave me a perfectly compressed puck. When I hit the "brew" button, I could hear the machine working its magic. Within seconds, I had a rich, aromatic shot of espresso topped with a beautiful layer of crema. The flavor was spot-on, with a full-bodied richness that I hadn’t always been able to achieve with other machines.

Milk Frothing Capabilities of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

One of the reasons I was excited to try the Breville Barista Touch Impress was its automatic milk frothing system. As someone who enjoys lattes and cappuccinos as much as a simple espresso, I was eager to test this feature. The machine lets you select the exact texture and temperature you want for your milk, whether you’re after a smooth microfoam for a flat white or a frothy, airy texture for a cappuccino.

The first time I used the milk frother, I selected the automatic option and let the machine do its thing. The result was a perfectly textured milk that I could easily pour for latte art. While I’m no barista, the Breville Barista Touch Impress made it feel like I could be. The manual frothing option is also available for those who prefer a more hands-on approach, but I found the automatic mode to be more than sufficient for my needs.

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

When it comes to espresso machines, one of the biggest concerns is often maintenance. Thankfully, the Breville Barista Touch Impress makes cleaning as hassle-free as possible. The machine has a self-cleaning steam wand, which is a godsend for anyone who’s ever struggled with dried milk residue. Additionally, the drip tray and water tank are easily removable, making them simple to clean.

The touchscreen interface also notifies you when it’s time to clean the machine or descale it, which is incredibly helpful. I’ve used other machines that left me guessing when maintenance was needed, so this feature made me feel confident that I was keeping the machine in top condition.

Comparing the Breville Barista Touch Impress to Other Espresso Machines

Having used several espresso machines over the years, I couldn’t help but compare the Breville Barista Touch Impress to its competitors. In terms of convenience, it’s hard to beat the touchscreen interface and automatic features. The built-in grinder and tamper are also standout features that make this machine feel like an all-in-one solution for home baristas.

Compared to other machines in its price range, the Breville Barista Touch Impress offers more customization options and a sleeker design. The touchscreen interface alone sets it apart, as many machines still rely on manual dials and buttons. While there are certainly cheaper options on the market, I believe the Breville Barista Touch Impress justifies its price tag with its ease of use and premium features.

What I Love About the Breville Barista Touch Impress

One of my favorite things about the Breville Barista Touch Impress is how accessible it makes crafting high-quality coffee drinks at home. The customizable options mean that whether I’m in the mood for a strong espresso or a creamy latte, I can easily get the exact drink I want. The automatic milk frothing system is another highlight for me. I love that I don’t have to guess the right milk texture or temperature — the machine does it for me.

The touchscreen interface deserves a special mention as well. It’s incredibly intuitive, even for someone who’s never used an espresso machine before. Breville has done a great job of making the whole process feel seamless, from grinding the beans to frothing the milk.

Conclusion on the Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

After several weeks of using the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I can confidently say that it’s one of the best home espresso machines I’ve tried. It combines the convenience of automation with enough customization options to satisfy even the pickiest of coffee drinkers. Whether you’re a seasoned home barista or someone just starting out, this machine makes it easy to brew café-quality drinks from the comfort of your own kitchen.

If you’re in the market for an espresso machine that offers both convenience and performance, I highly recommend giving the Breville Barista Touch Impress a try. It’s an investment, but in my experience, it’s one that pays off with every delicious cup of coffee.

FAQ

1. What is the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is an all-in-one espresso machine that combines a built-in grinder, touchscreen interface, and automatic milk frothing to help users make café-quality espresso drinks at home. It offers a high level of customization while also providing easy-to-use automated features for beginners and experts alike.

2. How does the Breville Barista Touch Impress differ from other espresso machines?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress stands out for its intuitive touchscreen interface and built-in grinder with automatic dosing and tamping. Unlike many other machines, it automates several steps of the espresso-making process, including milk frothing, while still allowing for customization of coffee strength, temperature, and milk texture. This makes it both beginner-friendly and versatile for experienced users.

3. Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to use for beginners?

Yes! The Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed with an intuitive touchscreen interface that walks users through the entire process, from grinding the beans to frothing milk. The automatic features make it easy for someone new to espresso-making to create high-quality drinks without needing to master complex techniques.

4. Can I customize the settings on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

Absolutely! The machine allows you to adjust various settings, including grind size, shot temperature, and coffee strength. You can also customize the milk frothing texture and temperature to match your preferences. Plus, you can save your favorite drink settings for easy access later.

5. Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress come with a grinder?

Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress features a built-in conical burr grinder. It automatically grinds and doses the coffee directly into the portafilter, providing freshly ground coffee for every shot. You can also adjust the grind size depending on your beans or taste preference.

6. What kind of drinks can I make with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

The machine allows you to make a variety of espresso-based drinks, including espresso, latte, cappuccino, flat white, and Americano. It also features an automatic steam wand that froths milk to the desired texture, making it easy to create lattes and cappuccinos with café-quality microfoam.

7. How long does it take to heat up the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress heats up very quickly, typically within 3 seconds, thanks to its ThermoJet heating system. This allows you to start brewing or steaming almost immediately after turning it on.

8. How do I clean and maintain the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress has several features designed to make cleaning easy. It includes an automatic steam wand cleaning function, and the drip tray, portafilter, and water tank are all removable for easy washing. The machine also alerts you when it’s time to descale, ensuring that you keep it in optimal condition.

9. Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress work with pre-ground coffee?

Yes, while the Breville Barista Touch Impress has a built-in grinder, you can use pre-ground coffee if preferred. You simply need to bypass the grinder and add the coffee directly to the portafilter.

10. What is the price of the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

The price of the Breville Barista Touch Impress varies depending on where you purchase it, but it is generally considered a premium product, with prices typically ranging between $1,000 and $1,500. While it is an investment, many users find that it offers excellent value for the features and performance it provides.