Breville Barista Touch Impress
- Intuitive touchscreen for easy operation.
- Built-in grinder for fresh coffee grounds.
- Automatic milk frothing for perfect textures.
Pros
- Touchscreen Display: The intuitive touchscreen is incredibly easy to use, making it simple to customize your drinks.
- Automatic Tamping: This feature ensures perfect tamping pressure every time, leading to consistent espresso shots.
- Customizable Profiles: You can save up to eight personalized coffee settings, perfect for households with different preferences.
- High-Quality Microfoam: The steam wand produces excellent milk foam, ideal for making lattes and cappuccinos.
- Built-in Grinder: The integrated grinder delivers fresh grounds, and the grind size is adjustable for different brewing styles.
Cons
- Price: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is on the expensive side, so it may not be suitable for those on a tight budget.
- Size: It’s a bit bulky, so it requires sufficient counter space in your kitchen.
As someone who has spent countless hours (and dollars) trying to perfect my morning coffee ritual, I’ve tested a fair number of espresso machines. While I’ve come across plenty that over-promised and under-delivered, the Breville Barista Touch Impress has been a standout for its precision, ease of use, and café-quality results. If you’re like me and dream of a barista-style experience at home without a steep learning curve, this machine might just be what you need.
First Impressions of the Breville Barista Touch Impress
The first thing I noticed about the Breville Barista Touch Impress was its sleek and modern design. Out of the box, its brushed stainless steel finish immediately elevated my kitchen counter. The machine is compact, with a footprint that doesn’t dominate your space, measuring around 16 inches high and 13 inches wide—perfect for tucking under cabinets.
But the real star? The intuitive touchscreen. When I powered it on for the first time, I was greeted with an easy-to-navigate interface featuring vibrant icons for every drink option. It’s clear this machine was designed for both beginners and coffee enthusiasts, like myself, who still appreciate control.
Setting Up the Breville Barista Touch Impress
I’ll admit—I was nervous that setup would be a hassle, but the Breville Barista Touch Impress proved otherwise. It walks you through each step via the touchscreen, from installing the water filter to filling the 67-ounce water tank. Within minutes, I was ready to pull my first shot.
The Impress Puck System, one of the machine’s highlights, automatically tamps the coffee grounds for you. Gone are the days of uneven pressure or messy counters. It feels like having a professional barista standing over your shoulder, ensuring every step is done correctly.
Making My First Espresso with the Breville Barista Touch Impress
Here’s where things got exciting. I selected “Espresso” from the touchscreen and followed the on-screen guidance for grind size and extraction time. The built-in conical burr grinder has 30 grind settings, giving me precise control over the grind size—a feature I love since coffee beans can behave differently.
The result? My first espresso shot was near perfect—rich, aromatic, and topped with a beautiful crema that looked straight out of a specialty coffee shop. I was stunned that I didn’t have to tweak much to get such a great first try. For someone like me who values consistency, this was a big win.
Breville Barista Touch Impress Review: Milk Frothing Made Simple
As someone who enjoys milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, I was particularly curious about the milk frothing capabilities of the Breville Barista Touch Impress. Breville’s AutoMilQ system did not disappoint.
The steam wand automatically froths milk to your preferred texture and temperature, offering excellent microfoam that’s perfect for latte art. What’s more, it has dedicated settings for alternative milks like oat, almond, and soy—something I haven’t seen on many other machines. I tested oat milk on a flat white setting, and the result was creamy, consistent, and absolutely delicious.
Customizing Drinks with the Breville Barista Touch Impress
Customization is where the Breville Barista Touch Impress really shines. While the touchscreen offers pre-programmed drink options, you can tweak virtually every aspect of your beverage, from coffee strength to milk texture and temperature.
Once you find the perfect recipe, you can save it as a preset on the machine. I created a personalized setting for my morning latte, naming it “Tom’s Latte,” which I now make with a single tap. This feature has been a game-changer for my daily routine.
Why the Breville Barista Touch Impress Stands Out
Over the years, I’ve tried other espresso machines, but none have struck the balance between automation and control quite like the Breville Barista Touch Impress. Here’s why:
- Guided Espresso Process: The machine takes the guesswork out of grinding, tamping, and extraction while still letting you adjust the settings if needed.
- Automatic Milk Frothing: You get café-quality microfoam with zero effort—no learning curve required.
- Compact and Stylish Design: Despite its professional capabilities, the machine remains compact and aesthetically pleasing.
- Ease of Use: The touchscreen interface simplifies the process, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned home barista.
Daily Use and Maintenance
No one likes cleaning up after their morning coffee, which is why I appreciate how low-maintenance the Breville Barista Touch Impress is. The machine alerts you when it’s time to clean the drip tray, descale, or empty the coffee puck bin.
The steam wand auto-purges after each use, preventing milk from clogging the system, and the drip tray slides out easily for rinsing. I also love that the machine reminds you to clean the grinder periodically, which ensures longevity and consistently great espresso.
How the Breville Barista Touch Impress Compares to Other Machines
When comparing this machine to others I’ve used—like the Breville Barista Express or higher-end models like the Oracle Touch—the Breville Barista Touch Impress hits the sweet spot.
- The Barista Express Impress offers similar tamping automation but lacks the touchscreen and milk-frothing precision.
- The Oracle Touch is more automated but comes at a much higher price point.
- For the price, the Breville Barista Touch Impress gives you advanced features without overwhelming you, making it ideal for coffee enthusiasts who want precision with a hint of automation.
Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress Worth the Investment?
Here’s the truth: this machine isn’t cheap. But after weeks of use, I’ve come to see the Breville Barista Touch Impress as an investment in my daily routine. Instead of spending $5-7 per drink at a café, I’m now able to make coffee shop-quality beverages from the comfort of my home.
The quality of the espresso alone is enough to justify the price. Combine that with the ease of use, customizable features, and milk frothing capabilities, and this machine delivers serious value for money.
Product Review Conclusion: Breville Barista Touch Impress Review
In conclusion, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is an exceptional home espresso machine that blends automation with precision control. Whether you’re a beginner looking for guidance or a seasoned coffee enthusiast seeking café-quality results, this machine delivers on its promise.
The touchscreen interface makes brewing simple, while the Impress Puck System and AutoMilQ milk frothing ensure consistent, high-quality results every time. Although the price may feel steep, the investment pays off with its performance, versatility, and convenience.
If you’re looking to elevate your coffee game and enjoy the art of espresso-making at home, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is a game-changing addition to your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Breville Barista Touch Impress
Q: What is the difference between the Breville Barista Touch Impress and other Breville machines?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress combines the convenience of automation with manual control. It features an intuitive touchscreen, automatic tamping with the Impress Puck System, and a built-in grinder. Compared to the Barista Express, it offers more control with its advanced features. It’s also priced more affordably than the high-end Oracle Touch, offering a great balance of features and value.
Q: Can I make drinks with alternative milks like oat or almond milk?
A: Yes! The Breville Barista Touch Impress is fully compatible with alternative milks. The AutoMilQ system adjusts the steam pressure and temperature for oat, almond, and soy milk to ensure you get the perfect froth every time. I tested oat milk on a flat white setting, and it turned out beautifully creamy.
Q: How easy is it to clean the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Cleaning the Breville Barista Touch Impress is quite straightforward. The machine alerts you when it’s time to clean various parts, such as the drip tray and coffee puck bin. The steam wand also auto-purges after use, helping prevent milk buildup. With regular maintenance, it’s very easy to keep the machine in top shape.
Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress require any special coffee beans?
A: No, the Breville Barista Touch Impress works with any fresh coffee beans, but the quality of the beans you use will impact the flavor of your espresso. Fresh, high-quality beans, ground to the right consistency, will deliver the best results. The machine's grinder has 30 different settings to help you dial in the perfect grind.
Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?
A: Absolutely! The Breville Barista Touch Impress is perfect for beginners thanks to its user-friendly touchscreen interface and guided espresso process. It helps you with everything from grind size to tamping, allowing you to make great coffee without being an expert. However, it also offers enough customization for more experienced coffee drinkers.