Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As a coffee enthusiast, I've always sought the perfect balance between convenience and quality in a home espresso machine. The Breville Barista Touch Impress promised to bridge that gap, offering advanced features designed to simplify the art of espresso making. After several weeks of daily use, I'm eager to share my comprehensive review of this impressive machine.

Unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Upon receiving the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I was immediately struck by its sleek and modern design. The brushed stainless steel finish exudes a premium feel, and its compact footprint ensures it fits comfortably on my kitchen counter without dominating the space. Included in the package are essential accessories: a stainless steel milk jug, single and dual wall filter baskets, a water filter holder with filter, a water hardness test strip, the Razor precision trimming tool, cleaning tablets, a steam wand cleaning tool, a cleaning disc, a cleaning brush, and descaling powder. These additions underscore Breville's commitment to providing a comprehensive espresso-making experience right out of the box.

Setting Up the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Setting up the Breville Barista Touch Impress was straightforward, thanks to its intuitive touchscreen interface. The machine guides you through the initial setup process, including testing water hardness and installing the water filter. Filling the 67-ounce water tank is hassle-free, and the 340-gram bean hopper is spacious enough to accommodate a generous amount of coffee beans, reducing the need for frequent refills. The touchscreen also offers a tutorial on how to use the machine, which is particularly beneficial for those new to espresso making.

Grinding and Tamping with Precision

One of the standout features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is its integrated conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings. This allows for precise control over the grind size, catering to various coffee preferences. The assisted tamping lever ensures consistent pressure is applied to the coffee grounds, resulting in a uniform puck every time. The machine's intelligent dosing system automatically adjusts the grind time based on the previous extraction, ensuring optimal results with each shot. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who may not have prior experience with espresso machines, as it simplifies the process and reduces the margin for error.

Brewing the Perfect Espresso

Brewing espresso with the Breville Barista Touch Impress is a delight. The ThermoJet heating system ensures the machine reaches the optimal extraction temperature in just three seconds, minimizing wait time. The touchscreen interface allows you to select from various pre-programmed beverages, including espresso, latte, cappuccino, flat white, and more. Each selection provides guidance on the appropriate steps, making the process user-friendly. The machine also offers the ability to customize and save up to eight personalized coffee settings, allowing you to tailor your drinks to your exact preferences.

Milk Frothing Capabilities

The Breville Barista Touch Impress excels in milk frothing, thanks to its automatic steam wand equipped with AutoMilQ technology. This feature offers customized steam presets for different types of milk, including dairy, oat, almond, and soy. By adjusting the steam pressure and temperature, the machine ensures optimal microfoam texture for each milk type, enhancing the overall quality of milk-based beverages. For those who prefer a hands-on approach, the steam wand can also be used manually, providing flexibility for users to experiment with different frothing techniques.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Maintaining the Breville Barista Touch Impress is relatively straightforward. The machine features an automatic purge function that cleans the steam wand after each use, preventing milk residue buildup. The drip tray and used coffee grounds container are easily removable and dishwasher safe, simplifying the cleaning process. The machine also provides alerts when it's time to perform a cleaning cycle or replace the water filter, ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of the machine.

Comparing the Breville Barista Touch Impress to Other Models

When comparing the Breville Barista Touch Impress to other models in Breville's lineup, such as the Barista Express Impress and the Oracle Touch, several distinctions become apparent. The Barista Express Impress, while featuring the same assisted tamping system, lacks the touchscreen interface and automatic milk frothing capabilities of the Barista Touch Impress. On the other hand, the Oracle Touch offers a dual boiler system, allowing for simultaneous brewing and steaming, but comes at a significantly higher price point. The Barista Touch Impress strikes a balance between automation and manual control, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a versatile and user-friendly espresso machine.

Product Review Conclusion

In conclusion, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is a remarkable espresso machine that seamlessly blends user-friendly features with the capability to produce café-quality beverages at home. Its intuitive touchscreen interface, integrated grinder with assisted tamping, and automatic milk frothing capabilities make it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned coffee enthusiasts. While the price point is on the higher side, the machine's performance and versatility justify the investment for those serious about their coffee. If you're looking to elevate your home coffee experience with a machine that offers a balance of automation and manual control, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is certainly worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Q1: What makes the Breville Barista Touch Impress different from other Breville models?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress stands out for its combination of automated features and customization options. It includes a touchscreen interface for guided beverage selection, an assisted tamping system for consistent espresso puck formation, and an automatic milk frothing system with presets for various milk types. These features make it more user-friendly compared to manual machines like the Barista Express while remaining more affordable than premium models like the Oracle Touch.

Q2: Can the Breville Barista Touch Impress froth non-dairy milk?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress excels in frothing non-dairy milk, thanks to its AutoMilQ technology. It provides steam presets optimized for different milk types, including oat, almond, soy, and dairy, ensuring a silky microfoam texture for lattes and cappuccinos.

Q3: Is the touchscreen interface easy to use?
A: The touchscreen interface is highly intuitive and simplifies the espresso-making process. It offers guided steps for brewing, frothing, and cleaning, making it suitable for beginners. Some users may notice a slight lag in response, but this does not significantly impact usability.

Q4: How customizable are the beverage settings?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress allows users to customize and save up to eight personalized beverage settings. You can adjust the coffee strength, milk temperature, foam level, and volume to create drinks tailored to your preferences.

Q5: Does it come with a grinder, or do I need to purchase one separately?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress includes a built-in conical burr grinder with 30 grind settings, eliminating the need for a separate grinder. The machine also features an intelligent dosing system to ensure consistent coffee grounds for each shot.

Q6: How easy is it to clean and maintain the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward. The machine features an automatic steam wand purge, alerts for cleaning cycles, and easily removable parts such as the drip tray and grounds container. It also includes cleaning tools and descaling solutions in the package.

Q7: Can I use pre-ground coffee instead of whole beans?
A: Yes, the machine accommodates pre-ground coffee by using the included single or dual-wall filter baskets. However, for the best flavor and freshness, it's recommended to use whole beans and the integrated grinder.

Q8: Can I brew and steam milk simultaneously?
A: No, the Breville Barista Touch Impress has a single boiler system, meaning you can either brew espresso or steam milk but not both at the same time. However, the ThermoJet heating system minimizes wait time between brewing and steaming.

Q9: What is the price range of the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is priced around $1,500. While it is a significant investment, the machine's advanced features and build quality justify its cost for those serious about home espresso-making.

Q10: Does it include a warranty?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress typically comes with a one-year limited warranty. It’s advisable to check the warranty terms with the retailer or Breville directly for additional coverage options.