Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As a coffee enthusiast who takes pride in brewing at home, I’m always on the lookout for machines that combine convenience and high-quality results. After testing a variety of espresso machines over the years, I was eager to try the Breville Barista Touch Impress. Known for its advanced features and excellent performance, I was curious to see how it would stack up. After using it for several weeks, here’s my in-depth review of this impressive machine.

Unboxing and Setup of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

The unboxing experience was a pleasure from the start. The Breville Barista Touch Impress is sleek and modern, with premium materials that instantly make it stand out. The setup process was straightforward and hassle-free, thanks to clear instructions and an intuitive touchscreen interface that made it easy to get started.

The touchscreen was particularly exciting for me. With just a few taps, I could choose from a variety of coffee drinks and customize key aspects like strength, milk texture, and temperature. For someone like me who loves experimenting with different coffee styles, this level of control was a dream.

Hands-On with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

With my extensive experience using various espresso machines, I had high expectations for the Breville Barista Touch Impress—and it didn’t disappoint. One of the machine’s key strengths is how it simplifies the coffee-making process while still allowing you to control each aspect. Whether I wanted a quick espresso or a frothy latte, the machine delivered consistent quality and speed.

The fast heat-up time and the ability to save customized drink profiles were particularly handy when I had guests. I could quickly prepare drinks to suit everyone’s preferences, making hosting even more enjoyable.

How the Breville Barista Touch Impress Fits into My Routine

The Breville Barista Touch Impress has seamlessly integrated into my daily coffee routine. Most mornings start with a flat white or an espresso, and this machine ensures that my coffee is ready with minimal effort. The built-in grinder eliminates the need to measure and grind beans separately, streamlining the process and keeping my countertop tidy.

The automatic tamping feature is a standout. It saves time and ensures that each shot is perfectly tamped. I’ve been consistently impressed with the espresso’s quality, and I no longer have to worry about uneven tamping or inconsistent pressure.

On weekends, I enjoy experimenting with grind sizes and milk textures. The Breville Barista Touch Impress offers enough flexibility to accommodate both everyday use and more detailed experimentation, making it ideal for both casual coffee drinkers and enthusiasts.

Notable Features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

One of the machine’s best features is the steam wand. While manual milk frothing can seem daunting at first, the Breville Barista Touch Impress makes it approachable. The wand creates smooth, silky microfoam that’s perfect for lattes and cappuccinos. I’ve even started experimenting with latte art, something I didn’t expect to do at home.

Another game-changing feature is the built-in grinder. Before using this machine, I relied on a separate grinder, which added extra steps to my routine. Now, everything is housed in one unit, and I can easily adjust the grind size to suit different beans. This integration improves both convenience and coffee quality.

Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress Worth It?

In my opinion, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is absolutely worth the investment. As someone who values high-quality coffee at home, this machine has elevated my brewing experience significantly. While it is priced higher than entry-level models, the drinks it produces and the high level of customization make it a worthwhile investment, especially when I compare it to what I used to spend at cafés.

I highly recommend the Breville Barista Touch Impress for anyone who loves making coffee at home and enjoys having control over the brewing process. Whether you’re an experienced barista or new to espresso machines, this model strikes the perfect balance between quality, convenience, and personalization.

Performance and Ease of Use

The built-in grinder is one of the machine’s defining features. It ensures freshly ground coffee for every shot, and the uniform grind size improves the espresso’s consistency. Paired with the automatic tamping feature, the machine guarantees perfectly tamped shots every time, leading to smoother extractions and well-balanced espresso.

The steam wand is another high point, allowing for professional-quality microfoam. While I’m still learning the art of latte design, I’ve managed to create some pretty decent attempts. The overall experience of brewing coffee with the Breville Barista Touch Impress feels like having a café-quality setup at home.

Personalizing Coffee with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

The Breville Barista Touch Impress excels when it comes to customization. You can store up to eight personalized coffee profiles, which is perfect for families or households with different coffee preferences. Setting up individual profiles is easy, and the machine remembers everyone’s favorite settings.

During my time with the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I’ve experimented with everything from espressos to flat whites, tweaking settings like temperature, froth level, and shot strength. This has allowed me to consistently enjoy coffee that’s tailored to my exact tastes.

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Maintaining the Breville Barista Touch Impress has been refreshingly simple. Many high-end espresso machines require tedious upkeep, but this one features an automatic cleaning cycle for the steam wand, which saves a ton of time.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress also alerts you when it’s time to clean or descale, ensuring it remains in top condition. The removable drip tray and water tank make cleaning straightforward, and I’ve found the overall maintenance to be far less stressful compared to other machines I’ve used.

Conclusion: Why the Breville Barista Touch Impress Stands Out

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is a fantastic espresso machine that delivers both convenience and quality. Its intuitive touchscreen, automatic tamping, and powerful steam wand make it easy to brew café-quality coffee at home, even for those who aren’t professional baristas.

The ability to save customized profiles is a huge bonus, especially when making coffee for multiple people. While it’s priced higher than basic models, the advanced features and excellent performance make it a worthwhile investment for any coffee lover.

If you’re searching for a high-performance espresso machine that consistently delivers great results with minimal effort, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is an excellent choice.

Frequently Asked Questions: Breville Barista Touch Impress

Q: How quickly does the Breville Barista Touch Impress heat up?
A: The machine heats up in just 3 seconds, allowing you to brew coffee almost instantly after turning it on.

Q: Can you use pre-ground coffee with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Yes, you can bypass the built-in grinder and use pre-ground coffee by adding it directly to the portafilter.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress have automatic milk frothing?
A: No, it features manual milk frothing, but the steam wand produces professional-grade microfoam for lattes and cappuccinos.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to clean?
A: Yes, it includes an automatic cleaning cycle for the steam wand and reminds you when it’s time to clean the drip tray or descale.

Q: How many coffee profiles can you store on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: You can store up to eight coffee profiles, making it easy for multiple users to personalize their coffee settings.

Q: Does the machine come with a water filter?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress comes with a water filter, improving the taste of your coffee and extending the machine’s lifespan.

Q: What is the capacity of the water tank?
A: The water tank holds 2 liters (67 ounces) and is easily removable for cleaning and refilling.