Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As a coffee lover, I was thrilled to try out the Breville Barista Touch Impress. I've always believed that a good espresso machine should strike the perfect balance between ease of use and the quality of the coffee it produces. With that belief in mind, I approached the Breville Barista Touch Impress with high expectations, and after several weeks of use, I’m ready to share my personal experience. 

Unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress felt like opening a gift for a coffee aficionado. The machine’s sleek stainless steel body was the first thing that caught my eye. It looked modern, and its relatively compact size made me excited to find just the right spot for it on my kitchen counter. The Breville Barista Touch Impress arrived with all the necessary accessories: a portafilter, various filter baskets, a milk jug, and the cleaning tools needed for ongoing maintenance.

One of the first things that struck me was the intuitive touchscreen. It felt almost like using a smartphone—very interactive and easy to navigate. This feature stood out as the gateway to a user-friendly experience. Even before brewing a single shot, the machine's user interface promised simplicity, even for someone who might be a bit intimidated by an espresso machine.

Setting Up the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Getting the Breville Barista Touch Impress ready to use was a straightforward process. The setup included selecting the language and calibrating the machine to my specific water hardness, which was easier than I anticipated thanks to the guided instructions on the touchscreen. Once those initial steps were completed, I filled up the 2-liter water tank and filled the bean hopper with my favorite coffee beans. The setup process was smooth, and I appreciated the step-by-step guidance provided by the display. It made the usually complex process feel almost effortless.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress also has a very manageable footprint, which was great for my relatively small kitchen. The machine’s compact form factor made it easy to place on my countertop, leaving me enough space for other kitchen appliances. 

Brewing Espresso with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

When it comes to espresso, it’s all about that perfect extraction, and that’s where the Breville Barista Touch Impress really shines. Brewing my first shot was a mix of excitement and curiosity. The machine’s assisted tamping feature is a big selling point for Breville’s “Impress” series, and I found it to be especially helpful. This feature essentially ensures that the right pressure is applied when tamping, a step that's often tricky for beginners. With consistent tamping pressure, I immediately noticed a difference in my espresso shots, which were evenly extracted and tasted rich, with a layer of crema that was smooth and appealing.

The grinder, equipped with stainless steel burrs, allows for a wide range of grind settings, which is something I found to be crucial in achieving the perfect espresso shot. Starting with a medium grind, I gradually experimented with finer and coarser grinds to match different types of beans and roasts. The Breville Barista Touch Impress made it easy for me to get the hang of dialing in my grind settings, and I appreciated how responsive the machine was in achieving optimal extraction.

Breville Barista Touch Impress: Milk Frothing Experience

The automatic milk frothing feature was one of the aspects I was most excited to explore, as I love lattes and cappuccinos just as much as I do a straight shot of espresso. The steam wand was everything I hoped for: efficient, quick, and able to produce a luscious microfoam.

The touchscreen allows you to customize the temperature and the texture of the milk, which was particularly nice when I wanted different milk styles—whether for a dense foam for a cappuccino or a more silky texture for a latte. I also experimented with oat milk and almond milk, and while alternative milk types can sometimes be harder to froth, the Breville managed to create reasonably good microfoam. 

The automatic frothing capabilities make the Breville Barista Touch Impress ideal for anyone who loves making milk-based drinks but is intimidated by the idea of learning to manually steam milk. The convenience of just placing the steam wand in the milk jug and letting the machine do the work felt almost like having a barista in my kitchen.

Customization and Ease of Use with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

One of the most impressive features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is the extensive customization it offers. The touchscreen provides a number of drink options, such as lattes, flat whites, long blacks, and cappuccinos. Each drink can be customized by adjusting the grind size, the amount of coffee used, the shot temperature, and even the froth level of the milk.

I loved that I could program my personal preferences for my favorite drinks. If I wanted a stronger cappuccino one day or a cooler flat white the next, I could easily tweak the parameters to suit my mood. I saved several custom profiles for different types of drinks, which made my morning routine quicker and more enjoyable.

Breville Barista Touch Impress Review: How It Compares to Other Machines

I have had experience with a few different espresso machines in the past, and I found myself naturally comparing the Breville Barista Touch Impress to other models. Compared to the Breville Barista Express, the Touch Impress offers a higher level of automation, thanks to the assisted tamping feature and the automatic milk frothing capabilities. The touchscreen is also a huge upgrade, giving it a modern, intuitive feel.

Compared to a fully automatic machine like the Jura E8, the Breville Barista Touch Impress offers a blend of convenience while still maintaining an element of control. The Jura might make things slightly more effortless, but it lacks the hands-on experience that makes the Barista Touch Impress enjoyable for someone like me who likes to play around with the brewing process.

For anyone new to espresso-making or those who want the ability to experiment without overwhelming complexity, the Breville Barista Touch Impress feels like the perfect middle ground. It makes great coffee accessible while allowing just enough manual input for those who want to learn the craft. 

Maintenance of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Keeping an espresso machine clean is crucial for consistent results, and I found that the Breville Barista Touch Impress made maintenance fairly simple. The machine provides reminders for cleaning the drip tray and emptying the used grounds container, both of which are easy to remove and reinsert. The water reservoir also has an easy-access handle, which makes refilling straightforward.

The machine comes with cleaning tools that are neatly stored in a compartment behind the drip tray. Breville has always been good about making cleaning easy, and this machine is no exception. It has a descaling mode, which is important for maintaining optimal performance, especially if you live in an area with hard water. I recommend using filtered water to minimize scale buildup, which will extend the machine’s lifespan.

Pros and Cons of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Pros:

• User-Friendly Touchscreen: The touchscreen display makes the Breville Barista Touch Impress exceptionally easy to use.
• Assisted Tamping and Automatic Frothing: The assisted tamping ensures consistency, and the automatic steam wand allows even a beginner to produce barista-level milk froth.
• Customization: The ability to personalize drink settings makes it easy to achieve your perfect cup every time.
• Compact and Stylish Design: It fits well in a variety of kitchen spaces without being overly bulky.

Cons:

• Price Point: At around $1,500, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is an investment. It’s on the pricier side compared to other home espresso machines, but considering its features, I feel it's worth the value for coffee lovers.
• Grinder Limitations: The grinder, while versatile, can sometimes struggle with very light roasts, which are a bit harder to grind properly. I experienced a slight jam once when using an especially light roast, though adjusting the grind setting fixed the issue.

Product Review Conclusion: Breville Barista Touch Impress

In conclusion, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is an outstanding espresso machine that offers a great balance of automation and hands-on control. It’s designed to provide quality, consistent coffee without requiring extensive barista skills, making it ideal for both beginners and those who love experimenting with different settings. The touchscreen interface is intuitive, the assisted tamping guarantees even pressure, and the automatic frothing helps achieve consistently good milk-based drinks.

While it’s certainly an investment, the Breville Barista Touch Impress brings the cafe experience into your kitchen, and if you’re serious about your coffee, this machine is worth every penny. Whether you’re after a simple espresso or a customized flat white, the Breville Barista Touch Impress will elevate your home coffee experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is highly suitable for beginners due to its intuitive touchscreen interface, assisted tamping, and automatic milk frothing features. These automated elements simplify the process and reduce the learning curve, making it accessible for anyone new to espresso-making.

Q: Can I use non-dairy milk for frothing with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?A: Absolutely. The Breville Barista Touch Impress can froth non-dairy milk types such as almond, oat, and soy. While results may vary compared to dairy milk, the machine is capable of producing reasonably good microfoam with most alternatives.

Q: How often does the machine require cleaning?A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress prompts users for cleaning after a certain number of uses, particularly when the drip tray is full or when it's time to descale. It's generally recommended to clean the steam wand after every use, empty the used grounds regularly, and perform a full cleaning cycle every few weeks depending on usage.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress worth the investment?A: If you value high-quality, consistent coffee and enjoy the convenience of automated features without sacrificing customization, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is worth the investment. Its combination of ease-of-use and quality makes it a standout choice for coffee enthusiasts.

Q: Can I customize the coffee settings on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress allows you to customize various settings, including grind size, shot temperature, milk froth level, and drink strength. You can save these preferences, allowing you to recreate your perfect cup every time.

Q: How does the grinder perform with different types of coffee beans?A: The built-in grinder performs well with most coffee beans, offering a range of grind settings for different roasts. However, it may occasionally struggle with very light roasts, which can be more challenging to grind. Adjusting the grind setting usually helps to resolve this issue.