Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, I’ve spent a lot of time experimenting with different espresso machines over the years. Whether it’s making the perfect espresso shot or mastering the art of milk frothing, I’ve tried it all. When I came across the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I was intrigued. With its sleek design and advanced features, this machine promised to elevate my coffee experience, so I decided to put it to the test. Learn How to change the brew temperature on Breville/Sage Barista Express

In this review, I will walk you through the standout features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress, my personal experience using it, and whether it’s worth the investment for serious coffee drinkers.

Why Choose the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress combines state-of-the-art technology with ease of use, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy professional-quality espresso at home. Unlike other machines that can be complicated or intimidating for beginners, this espresso maker provides an intuitive user experience. From its innovative Impress tamping system to its seamless touchscreen interface, the Breville Barista Touch Impress takes the guesswork out of making coffee, offering precision and consistency in every cup.

But what really makes this machine stand out in a crowded market of espresso machines? Let’s break it down.

Design and Build: A Stylish Addition to Your Countertop

One of the first things I noticed about the Breville Barista Touch Impress is its sleek, modern design. The brushed stainless steel finish not only gives it a high-end look but also ensures that it’s durable and easy to clean. The compact build is a big plus—while it's robust, it doesn't take up excessive counter space like some of the bulkier machines on the market. How to steam milk on the Breville Review

At 15.8 x 14.5 x 16 inches, this machine fits nicely on most countertops. It’s neither too big nor too small, making it a great option for those who want a professional-grade espresso machine without sacrificing space. The large, 1.9-liter water tank is easy to access and refill, and the drip tray is simple to remove and clean.

Touchscreen Interface: Simple, Yet Advanced

One of the key features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is its user-friendly touchscreen interface. The 4.3-inch color display is large enough to see your options clearly but not so large that it feels overwhelming. As soon as you power on the machine, you’re greeted with an easy-to-navigate menu, where you can choose between pre-programmed drinks like espresso, latte, or cappuccino, or create custom coffee drinks.

What really impressed me is how intuitive the touchscreen is. As someone who isn’t always comfortable with technology, I appreciated that the Breville Barista Touch Impress guided me through the entire coffee-making process, step by step. It’s incredibly easy to adjust settings such as the strength of your coffee, the temperature, and the grind size. Plus, the machine stores your personal preferences for future use, so you don’t have to start from scratch every time you make a cup. Did you know How to steam milk on the Breville Barista Express

The Impress Tamping System: Perfect Every Time

One of the standout features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress is the Impress tamping system. If you’ve ever made espresso at home, you know that tamping the grounds correctly is essential for a great shot. Too light a tamp, and your espresso may taste weak or watery; too hard, and you risk uneven extraction.

The Impress tamping system eliminates the guesswork. This unique feature automatically applies the perfect amount of pressure to the coffee grounds, ensuring that every shot is evenly tamped. The machine even provides visual and tactile feedback, allowing you to feel confident that the tamp is done correctly. This is a game-changer for home espresso makers, especially for those who are still mastering tamping techniques.

Grinding Fresh Coffee: The Key to Flavorful Espresso

Freshly ground coffee beans are essential for a rich, flavorful espresso, and the Breville Barista Touch Impress delivers on this front. The integrated conical burr grinder is one of the best I’ve used, offering a wide range of grind sizes to suit different coffee styles. Whether you like your espresso bold and intense or a bit milder, the grinder has you covered.

One of the things I love about this grinder is its consistency. In my experience, some espresso machines with built-in grinders can leave you with uneven grinds, leading to inconsistent extractions. Not the case here—the Breville Barista Touch Impress delivers a uniform grind every time, resulting in a smoother, more flavorful espresso shot. Plus, the grind size is adjustable, so you can easily fine-tune it to your preference.

Steam Wand: Frothing Milk Like a Pro

If you’re a fan of lattes, cappuccinos, or other milk-based drinks, you’ll appreciate the Breville Barista Touch Impress’s steam wand. The steam wand is powerful and provides excellent pressure, allowing you to froth milk to your desired texture with ease.

I’ve always struggled with getting the perfect milk froth at home, but with this machine, I was able to create velvety smooth microfoam on my first try. The wand also has an auto-purging function, which makes cleaning up afterward a breeze. Simply run the steam wand for a few seconds to flush out any remaining milk, and you're done.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress also offers the option to customize your milk temperature and texture, allowing you to create the perfect latte art. Whether you prefer a thick, frothy milk foam or something a little lighter, the machine gives you full control. With Using a single basket with a Breville or Sage home espresso machine review

Performance: Quality Espresso in Every Shot

Now, let’s talk about the most important part: the quality of the espresso. The Breville Barista Touch Impress consistently produces rich, full-bodied espresso shots that rival what you’d get at your favorite café. Thanks to the high-quality grinder and the Impress tamping system, I’ve been able to pull consistently perfect shots with minimal effort.

The machine’s PID temperature control ensures that the water stays at the optimal brewing temperature, which is critical for extracting the best flavors from your coffee beans. I’ve been able to taste a noticeable difference in my espresso shots—cleaner, more balanced flavors that highlight the unique notes of each coffee bean.

Customization and Convenience

Another reason I love the Breville Barista Touch Impress is how customizable it is. The machine allows you to adjust everything from the grind size to the temperature of the milk, giving you total control over your coffee experience. Whether you prefer a stronger shot of espresso or a milder one, it’s easy to fine-tune the settings until you get your perfect cup.

Additionally, the machine stores up to eight custom drink settings, so once you find your ideal brew, you can save it for future use. This level of personalization ensures that every cup you make is just right.

Pros and Cons of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Pros:

• Impress tamping system guarantees perfect tamping every time, eliminating inconsistency.
• User-friendly touchscreen makes brewing easy and intuitive.
• Freshly ground coffee from the integrated burr grinder ensures better flavor.
• Powerful steam wand froths milk to perfection for lattes and cappuccinos.
• Customizable settings allow you to personalize your coffee drinks.
• Sleek design looks great on any countertop.

Cons:

• Price: It’s a premium product, which means it comes with a higher price tag.
• Size: While compact for a high-end espresso machine, it may still be too large for very small kitchens.

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

In conclusion, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is a top-of-the-line espresso machine that offers an exceptional brewing experience. From its intuitive touchscreen interface to its Impress tamping system and integrated grinder, this machine makes it easier than ever to make café-quality espresso at home. The customization options and user-friendly design make it suitable for both beginners and seasoned coffee enthusiasts.

While the Breville Barista Touch Impress is a bit of an investment, the value it provides is undeniable. For anyone serious about coffee, this machine is well worth the price. It combines convenience, performance, and quality, making it a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home coffee setup. Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or a dedicated espresso aficionado, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is an investment that will elevate your coffee game.

FAQ about the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Q: What is the Impress tamping system on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The Impress tamping system is a unique feature of the Breville Barista Touch Impress that automatically applies the perfect amount of pressure to tamp the coffee grounds evenly. This ensures consistent and uniform tamping, which is essential for pulling a great shot of espresso. The system helps eliminate the guesswork and potential mistakes in tamping, making it easier for both beginners and experienced users.

Q: How do I clean the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Cleaning the Breville Barista Touch Impress is relatively easy. The machine comes with an auto-purge steam wand, which helps flush out milk residue after frothing. The drip tray and water tank are removable and easy to clean. Additionally, the grinder has a cleaning cycle that you can use to maintain its performance. For the portafilter and other parts that come into contact with coffee grounds, a quick rinse is usually sufficient. It’s recommended to perform a full cleaning cycle (including descaling) every few months depending on usage.

Q: Can I make different types of coffee drinks with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Yes! The Breville Barista Touch Impress allows you to make a variety of coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, and macchiato. It also offers customizable settings for each drink, such as milk temperature, froth consistency, and coffee strength, allowing you to create personalized beverages. The machine even stores up to eight custom drink profiles, so you can save your favorite settings for future use.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is ideal for beginners. Its intuitive touchscreen interface guides you step-by-step through the coffee-making process. You don’t need to be an expert to make great coffee; the machine does much of the work for you, such as tamping and grinding the coffee. Additionally, the pre-programmed settings make it easy for newcomers to get started, while the customization options provide more advanced features for experienced users.

Q: How much space does the Breville Barista Touch Impress take up on my countertop?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed to be compact for a high-end espresso machine. It measures approximately 15.8 x 14.5 x 16 inches, so while it’s not the smallest espresso machine on the market, it’s a manageable size for most countertops. However, if you have very limited space in your kitchen, you may want to ensure it fits comfortably before purchasing.

Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: While the Breville Barista Touch Impress comes with a built-in grinder for freshly ground coffee, you can also use pre-ground coffee if you prefer. The machine has a bypass doser, which allows you to add pre-ground coffee directly to the portafilter without using the grinder. However, for the best flavor and freshness, it’s recommended to use freshly ground coffee.

Q: How long does it take for the Breville Barista Touch Impress to heat up?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress typically takes about 3-5 minutes to heat up fully, which is relatively quick compared to some other espresso machines. The machine’s PID temperature control ensures that the water is always at the optimal brewing temperature for the perfect shot of espresso.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress worth the investment?
A: If you are serious about making high-quality espresso at home and enjoy the process of customizing your coffee drinks, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is definitely worth the investment. It combines advanced features like the Impress tamping system, built-in grinder, and steam wand with a user-friendly interface. While it’s a premium product, the results and convenience it offers make it a great value for those who enjoy café-quality coffee at home.