Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As a coffee enthusiast, finding the perfect espresso machine for my home has always been a goal. After trying several options over the years, I finally decided to give the Breville Barista Touch Impress a try, and I’m thrilled to share my experience with this machine. From its sleek design to its impressive features, it truly makes an impact in the world of home espresso. In this review, I’ll take you through my personal experience with this machine, covering everything from setup and design to brewing and cleaning. 

What Makes the Breville Barista Touch Impress Stand Out?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is a sophisticated espresso machine that combines innovation with convenience. It is designed to deliver professional-quality espresso at home, making it an attractive option for anyone looking to elevate their coffee game. What truly sets the Barista Touch Impress apart is its intuitive interface, automatic features, and innovative tamping system that ensures consistent results with every brew.

Setting Up the Breville Barista Touch Impress: My First Impressions

Upon receiving the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I couldn’t wait to unbox it and get started. The machine comes with all the necessary components: a portafilter, tamper, milk frothing jug, water filter, and cleaning tools. Setting it up was surprisingly easy, even for someone like me who had never used a machine of this caliber before. The user manual is clear and concise, guiding me through the initial setup process step by step.

What immediately struck me about the Breville Barista Touch Impress was its sleek and modern design. The machine has a brushed stainless steel finish that looks beautiful on my kitchen counter, and it feels sturdy and well-built. It’s not overly large, making it suitable for most kitchen spaces, and the touch screen interface adds a touch of sophistication.

The Touchscreen Display: User-Friendly and Efficient

One of the standout features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is its intuitive touchscreen display. As someone who appreciates simplicity, I was pleased to find that the touchscreen interface made operating the machine incredibly easy. I could navigate through the different coffee options with just a few taps, whether I was selecting a single or double shot of espresso, adjusting the grind size, or choosing my preferred milk temperature.

The screen also allows me to customize my coffee preferences, from adjusting the strength of my espresso to fine-tuning the milk frothing. This level of control is perfect for someone like me who enjoys experimenting with different coffee styles and flavors. The machine even saves my preferences, so I don’t have to repeat the setup every time I brew a cup.

Automatic Tamp Technology: A Game-Changer for Consistency

One of the most impressive features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is its automatic tamping system. In the past, I’ve struggled with achieving consistent tamping pressure when brewing espresso, which often resulted in uneven extractions. With the Impress tamping system, this is no longer a concern.

The machine automatically tamps the ground coffee with the perfect amount of pressure, ensuring an even and consistent extraction every time. This feature is a game-changer for anyone who wants to enjoy café-quality espresso at home without the guesswork. I was amazed at how much more consistent my espresso shots were, and the crema was thick and velvety, just like the ones I get at my local coffee shop. 

Precision and Consistency: The Breville Barista Touch Impress in Action

it comes to brewing espresso, precision is key, and the Breville Barista Touch Impress does not disappoint. The machine is equipped with a PID temperature control system that maintains water temperature within a narrow range, ensuring optimal extraction every time. This feature is especially important for espresso, as even a slight fluctuation in temperature can affect the flavor profile.

I noticed a significant difference in the taste of my coffee compared to previous machines I’ve used. The espresso was well-balanced, with a rich and complex flavor that I hadn’t been able to achieve with other machines. Whether I was brewing a simple espresso shot or a more intricate cappuccino, the Breville Barista Touch Impress delivered consistently great results.

Milk Frothing with the Breville Barista Touch Impress: Perfect for Lattes and Cappuccinos

As someone who enjoys a good latte or cappuccino, I was particularly excited to try the milk frothing capabilities of the Breville Barista Touch Impress. The steam wand is both powerful and easy to use, allowing me to froth milk to my desired texture in no time. The machine automatically adjusts the steam pressure to create microfoam that’s perfect for latte art or a silky smooth cappuccino.

While I’m not an expert at creating latte art, the quality of the foam produced by the Breville Barista Touch Impress made it easy to practice. The milk was consistently smooth, and I found that it held its texture well, even after a few minutes. Whether I was making a classic cappuccino with dense foam or a flat white with silky milk, this machine allowed me to achieve professional-quality results. 

Cleaning and Maintenance: Easy and Convenient

One of the aspects I appreciate most about the Breville Barista Touch Impress is how easy it is to clean and maintain. The machine features a self-cleaning cycle that takes less than five minutes to complete. This makes it incredibly convenient for someone like me who doesn’t want to spend hours scrubbing coffee stains and residue.

The portafilter, drip tray, and milk frothing jug are all dishwasher safe, which further simplifies the cleaning process. Additionally, the machine has built-in reminders that prompt me to clean the group head, change the water filter, and descale the machine. These reminders help ensure that the Breville Barista Touch Impress stays in top condition, so I can enjoy great coffee every time.

The Learning Curve: Suitable for All Skill Levels

While the Breville Barista Touch Impress is packed with advanced features, it’s surprisingly easy to use. The touchscreen display and automatic tamping system take much of the guesswork out of the process, making it ideal for beginners. I was able to make great espresso shots and lattes on my first try, thanks to the machine’s intuitive interface and automatic features.

For more experienced baristas, the Breville Barista Touch Impress offers plenty of customization options, allowing you to adjust the grind size, coffee strength, and milk temperature. This flexibility is perfect for those who want more control over their brewing process and enjoy experimenting with different coffee styles.

Product Review Conclusion: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress Worth It?

After spending several weeks with the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I can confidently say that it has transformed my home coffee experience. This machine delivers café-quality espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes with the convenience of automatic features. The touchscreen interface, automatic tamping system, and precise espresso extraction make it a standout option for anyone who loves coffee.

While the Breville Barista Touch Impress comes with a higher price tag, its performance, convenience, and consistency make it well worth the investment. Whether you’re a beginner looking to upgrade your coffee setup or an experienced barista seeking a reliable machine, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is an excellent choice.

If you’re serious about your coffee and want a machine that can consistently deliver high-quality espresso with minimal effort, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is definitely worth considering. It’s sleek, efficient, and packed with features that make every cup of coffee a delight.

FAQ

Q: What is the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is an advanced espresso machine designed for home use. It features an intuitive touchscreen interface, automatic tamping, precise temperature control, and a powerful milk frothing system, all aimed at providing café-quality coffee at home.

Q: How does the automatic tamping system work?
A: The Impress tamping system automatically tamps the ground coffee with the correct amount of pressure, ensuring consistent extraction. This takes the guesswork out of the brewing process, providing an even tamp every time for a perfect espresso shot.

Q: Can I make lattes and cappuccinos with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is equipped with an automatic steam wand that froths milk to your desired texture, making it easy to create lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and other milk-based coffee drinks. You can adjust the milk temperature and texture based on your preferences.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to clean?
A: Yes, cleaning the Breville Barista Touch Impress is simple. It features a self-cleaning cycle, and many of its components, like the portafilter and milk frothing jug, are dishwasher safe. The machine also reminds you to clean various parts, such as the group head and to descale when necessary.

Q: What makes the Breville Barista Touch Impress different from other espresso machines?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress stands out due to its automatic tamping system, precise espresso extraction, and user-friendly touchscreen interface. It also has a powerful milk frothing system that helps you create café-quality drinks at home, with easy customization options for both beginners and experienced baristas.

Q: How long does it take for the Breville Barista Touch Impress to heat up?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress heats up quickly. Typically, it’s ready to brew in under a minute, thanks to its fast heat-up time, allowing you to start making coffee without waiting long.

Q: Can I adjust the grind size and coffee strength on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress allows you to adjust both the grind size and the strength of your coffee. The grind size can be customized to suit different beans, and the coffee strength can be adjusted to make your espresso as strong or mild as you prefer.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?
A: Absolutely. The Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed with beginners in mind, offering automatic features like tamping and precise temperature control. The touchscreen interface is intuitive, and the machine provides step-by-step guidance, making it easy for newcomers to make high-quality espresso drinks without much experience.

Q: How often do I need to replace the water filter on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress comes with a water filter that helps improve the taste of your coffee. The machine will remind you when it’s time to change the filter, but typically, you should replace it every 2–3 months, depending on your water usage.

Q: Can I save my coffee preferences on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress allows you to save your personalized coffee preferences, such as espresso strength, milk temperature, and texture, so you can quickly make your favorite drinks without needing to adjust the settings every time.