Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As an avid coffee enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout for the perfect espresso machine—something that balances convenience, performance, and of course, the ability to brew a delicious cup of coffee at home. That's why I was eager to get my hands on the Breville Barista Touch Impress. This machine has been touted as a powerful option for those looking to bridge the gap between barista-quality drinks and easy, at-home espresso-making. After spending considerable time testing it, I'm here to share my firsthand experience.

Unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress

The first thing that struck me about the Breville Barista Touch Impress was the attention to detail in its design. Unboxing it was almost a ritual. The machine came carefully packaged with a stainless steel milk jug, a water filter, a tamper, and a cleaning kit—everything I needed to get started right away. Its sleek stainless steel body looked both professional and compact, a beautiful addition to my kitchen counter without overwhelming the space.

Setting the machine up was seamless thanks to the intuitive touch screen interface, which guided me step-by-step through the initial setup process. The Breville Barista Touch Impress seemed to strike that perfect balance between a machine that beginners could easily operate and one that would still allow a coffee aficionado like myself to get the details just right.

Brewing My First Espresso with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Once I had it set up, it was time for the real test: brewing espresso. As I filled the bean hopper and adjusted the grind size using the intuitive dial, I was impressed by the built-in grinder's versatility. The grind was consistent, and the assisted tamping feature added a level of precision that I never knew I needed. It delivered the perfect amount of pressure to ensure I had a well-packed puck.

The key to a good espresso shot is all in the extraction, and the Breville Barista Touch Impress didn't disappoint. With the automatic dose-adjustment and a clear on-screen guide, it took the guesswork out of the equation, leaving me with a balanced, flavorful shot that had the perfect crema layer.

Steaming Milk Made Easy

The milk frothing capabilities of the Breville Barista Touch Impress are where it truly stands out from its competitors. I love a good latte, and with the automatic steam wand, achieving that perfectly textured milk was effortless. The microfoam came out silky and consistent, which made pouring latte art an enjoyable experience, even for an amateur like myself.

The intuitive touch screen was the real game-changer here. I could adjust the milk temperature and texture levels with just a few taps. For a cappuccino, I set it to a more aerated texture, while for a latte, I dialed it back to a creamier finish. The machine was responsive, and I never found myself needing to compromise on quality.

Customization with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

One of my favorite features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is the ability to create and save my own personalized drink settings. I experimented with various grind sizes, brew times, and milk temperatures until I had the perfect recipe saved—I could now make my go-to coffee at the touch of a button.

The machine comes with several pre-programmed options, which include espresso, latte, flat white, and more. But the real beauty is how easy it is to customize these options to suit your taste. I found that I enjoyed my espresso shots at a slightly lower temperature, and it was easy to make those changes and save them for the future.

Breville Barista Touch Impress vs. Other Models

It's only natural to compare the Breville Barista Touch Impress with other espresso machines on the market, particularly other Breville models. I've had the chance to use the Breville Barista Express in the past, which is a fantastic machine in its own right. However, the Barista Touch Impress brings a significant upgrade in terms of automation and ease of use.

The Barista Express is great for those who love to be hands-on and don't mind spending some time dialing in the perfect shot. In contrast, the Barista Touch Impress simplifies many of those steps. The assisted tamping feature ensures that the puck is evenly packed every time—something that took me ages to master on my older machine. Plus, the touch screen interface makes this machine so approachable that even complete beginners could start brewing quality coffee with very little learning curve.

H3: Breville Barista Touch Impress Review - Convenience and Automation

When it comes to convenience, the Breville Barista Touch Impress hits all the right notes. The ThermoJet heating system allows the machine to be ready to brew in just a few seconds, which is perfect for those busy mornings. I also appreciate that the machine not only grinds and tamps the coffee but also automatically purges the steam wand after frothing milk, which makes clean-up so much easier.

The water tank and drip tray are both easily removable, and the touch screen reminds me when it's time for a cleaning or descaling. For someone like me who loves coffee but dislikes the maintenance that often comes with espresso machines, these features are a significant advantage.

H3: A Closer Look at the Breville Barista Touch Impress Grinder

The grinder on the Breville Barista Touch Impress is another highlight. It features a conical burr grinder that offers 30 different grind settings, which allows for fine-tuning to achieve the perfect extraction for any type of coffee. I found the grind quality to be exceptional, providing the consistency needed to brew a balanced shot every time.

Compared to other machines, the integrated grinder not only saves counter space but also simplifies the entire brewing process. There's no need for a separate grinder, which is a game-changer if you're like me and have limited space in your kitchen. Additionally, the grinder adjusts automatically based on the dose, which means I didn’t need to constantly tweak settings to maintain consistency—a major time saver.

H3: Breville Barista Touch Impress Review - Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning and maintaining the Breville Barista Touch Impress is surprisingly easy. The touch screen interface provides clear notifications when it's time to clean the drip tray, steam wand, or perform descaling. The automatic purging of the steam wand after each use makes it less of a hassle to clean, especially compared to manual machines I've used in the past.

The included cleaning kit comes in handy for getting into all the little nooks and crannies. It takes about 10-15 minutes to go through the full cleaning routine, but it's entirely manageable, especially given the convenience of having automated reminders.

H3: Breville Barista Touch Impress vs. Competitor Models

Before investing in the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I did a lot of research and compared it to other espresso machines within the same range. The two that stood out as major competitors were the De'Longhi La Specialista and the Jura E6. While both of these machines offer great features, I found the Breville Barista Touch Impress to be superior in terms of user-friendliness and the quality of the milk frothing system.

The De'Longhi La Specialista offers a similar level of grind and tamp assistance, but it lacks the touch screen interface that makes the Breville so intuitive. The Jura E6, on the other hand, excels in automation but doesn’t give as much flexibility when it comes to customizing drinks. I found that the Breville Barista Touch Impress hit the sweet spot between automation and hands-on control, making it the perfect choice for me.

Product Review Conclusion - Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

After weeks of using the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I can confidently say that this machine is an excellent investment for anyone looking to elevate their home coffee game. Whether you're new to making espresso at home or have been a fan of the process for years, this machine has something to offer.

The touch screen interface, combined with the assisted tamping and automatic milk frothing, makes it easy to brew coffee shop-quality drinks right in your kitchen. While it comes at a higher price point, the features are worth it, especially if you're serious about your coffee. With the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I find myself looking forward to my morning coffee ritual more than ever before—it’s an experience, not just a cup of coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to use for beginners?

A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed with beginners in mind. The intuitive touch screen guides you through every step of the brewing process, from grinding the beans to frothing the milk. Even if you have little experience, the automated features and prompts make it easy to produce a quality coffee drink.

Q: Can I customize the settings for different types of coffee?

A: Absolutely. The Breville Barista Touch Impress allows you to customize various aspects of your coffee, such as grind size, milk texture, and brew temperature. You can even save your customized drinks so you can easily recreate your favorite recipes.

Q: How does the assisted tamping feature work?

A: The assisted tamping feature of the Breville Barista Touch Impress applies consistent pressure to the coffee puck every time. This ensures a more even extraction, which is essential for a great espresso shot. This feature removes the guesswork involved in manual tamping, making it ideal for users of all experience levels.

Q: Is cleaning the Breville Barista Touch Impress difficult?

A: Cleaning the machine is very manageable, especially thanks to the touch screen reminders. The steam wand purges itself after each use, and the drip tray and water tank are easy to remove and clean. Regular maintenance, including descaling, is also guided through on-screen prompts, making it as straightforward as possible.

Q: How does the Breville Barista Touch Impress compare to other models like the Barista Express?

A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress offers more automation and convenience compared to the Barista Express. The touch screen, assisted tamping, and automatic milk frothing make the Touch Impress more user-friendly, particularly for those new to making espresso at home. The Barista Express, while excellent, requires more manual input and skill to achieve similar results.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress come with a warranty?

A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress comes with a limited one-year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. Be sure to register your machine after purchase for additional support and to ensure warranty coverage.

Q: How long does it take for the machine to heat up?

A: Thanks to the ThermoJet heating system, the Breville Barista Touch Impress heats up and is ready to brew in just about 3 seconds. This makes it perfect for busy mornings when you want your coffee quickly without compromising on quality.