Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As someone who truly appreciates a well-brewed cup of coffee, I’ve always sought machines that can deliver both quality and consistency. When I first encountered the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I was intrigued by the idea of a smart espresso machine that seemed to take the guesswork out of brewing the perfect cup. I’ve spent years experimenting with various coffee makers, but I’d never experienced anything quite like this. After using the machine for a few weeks now, I wanted to share my thoughts—what I’ve loved, and where I feel it excels, making it a good investment for any coffee lover.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The first thing I noticed when unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress was how well it was packaged. The machine is hefty, with a solid build that gives it a premium feel right from the start. It’s clear that Breville has paid attention to the details, and I could tell this wasn’t just any espresso machine. From the sleek stainless-steel finish to the intuitive touchscreen interface, it immediately struck me as both modern and functional.

Setting it up was straightforward, and within minutes, I was ready to brew my first espresso. The setup guide was clear, and the touchscreen made it easy to navigate through each step without needing to consult the manual too much. I appreciated this simplicity, especially as someone who’s not always tech-savvy but loves a good cup of coffee.

The Touchscreen: Effortless Control

What truly stood out to me from the moment I began using it was the machine’s touchscreen. At first, I was a bit skeptical, wondering if it would be overly complicated or finicky. However, the touchscreen is incredibly intuitive. The color display is vibrant, and I quickly became accustomed to the interface. You can select from a range of pre-programmed drinks, or you can customize your coffee to your exact liking.

The machine allows me to save up to eight different custom coffee recipes, which has been amazing. I’ve been able to adjust the strength of my coffee, the temperature, and the milk frothing to suit my taste. It’s so convenient that I don’t need to constantly adjust the settings—my personalized drinks are saved and ready to go at the touch of a button.

Grind and Tamping: The Built-in Burr Grinder and Impress Puck System

I’m quite particular about the grind of my coffee beans. With other machines, I’ve struggled to get the grind just right, often leading to inconsistent flavors. However, the Breville Barista Touch Impress comes with a built-in conical burr grinder that I’ve found to be a game-changer. It’s fully adjustable, with 30 different grind settings, which means I can experiment with different beans and find the perfect grind for each type of coffee.

The impressively designed Impress Puck System also helps automate the tamping process. This feature has been particularly beneficial for me because tamping manually has always been a challenge. I’ve had inconsistent results in the past, with some shots tasting too bitter or too weak. But with the Breville Barista Touch Impress, the tamping is automated, ensuring a consistent, evenly compacted puck every time. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in the quality of the espresso.

Quick Heat-Up Time with ThermoJet

Time is often a limiting factor in my morning routine. I can’t afford to wait several minutes for a machine to heat up, especially when I’m rushing to get out the door. Thankfully, the Breville Barista Touch Impress uses the ThermoJet heating system, which allows it to heat up in just 3 seconds. This rapid heat-up time means that I can go from bean to cup in no time, even when I’m in a hurry.

Whether I’m brewing a quick shot of espresso or taking the time to make a cappuccino with perfectly steamed milk, the machine is always ready when I am. This feature has been incredibly useful during my busy mornings when I’m craving my first cup of coffee but don’t have time to wait.

Auto Milk Frothing: Consistently Creamy Textures

As much as I enjoy a simple shot of espresso, I’m also a fan of milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Frothing milk to the right consistency has always been a tricky task for me—until now. The Barista Touch Impress features an auto-milk frothing system that automatically textures the milk to my desired level. It works with both dairy and plant-based milk (such as oat or almond), which is a huge bonus since I enjoy experimenting with different types of milk depending on my mood.

The result? Consistently smooth, velvety microfoam every time. No more over- or under-frothed milk. The auto milk texturing system has taken my lattes to a new level, and I’m now able to create café-quality drinks from the comfort of my home. Whether I’m making a flat white, a cappuccino, or simply steaming milk for a hot chocolate, I can always rely on the Barista Touch Impress to deliver.

Maintenance: Keeping It Clean and Easy to Use

Maintaining an espresso machine can often feel like a chore. But the Breville Barista Touch Impress has made this process remarkably easy. The machine prompts you when it’s time to clean the group head, drip tray, and water reservoir. The removable parts are all easy to access and clean, and I’ve found that keeping the machine in top shape doesn’t take much time or effort.

Additionally, the machine’s water filter helps to keep the water free of impurities, which is essential for maintaining the quality of your coffee. I’ve found that the filters also extend the life of the machine, ensuring that it continues to perform well even with regular use.

The Verdict: Worth the Investment?

After using the Breville Barista Touch Impress for several weeks, I can confidently say that it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about coffee. It offers a balance of ease of use, customization, and high-quality performance that I haven’t found in many other machines. It’s not just about making a cup of coffee; it’s about the experience. The thoughtful design, from the intuitive touchscreen to the automated milk frothing and consistent espresso shots, makes this machine a standout choice in the world of home coffee makers.

It’s perfect for beginners who want to get into espresso-making without overwhelming complexity, but it also offers enough customization for more experienced coffee enthusiasts. The machine is reliable, quick, and delivers excellent results, whether you're brewing for yourself or entertaining guests.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Breville Barista Touch Impress has impressed me (pun intended) in almost every aspect of coffee-making. From the convenience of the touchscreen to the consistency of the espresso and milk frothing, this machine has truly transformed my mornings. It’s a solid, reliable, and stylish machine that combines automation with customization in a way that works for any coffee lover.

If you're someone who values quality, consistency, and the ability to personalize your drinks, this espresso machine is definitely worth considering. It’s an investment in both convenience and the joy of great coffee, and after using it myself, I can wholeheartedly say that it lives up to the hype.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long does it take for the Breville Barista Touch Impress to heat up?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress uses the ThermoJet heating system, which allows it to heat up in just 3 seconds, so you're ready to brew your coffee in no time.

Q: Can I adjust the grind size on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Yes, the machine comes with a built-in conical burr grinder that offers 30 adjustable grind settings, allowing you to customize the grind size for different types of coffee.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress work with plant-based milk?
A: Absolutely! The auto milk frothing system works with both dairy and plant-based milk, such as oat, almond, and soy milk, giving you the flexibility to create your favorite milk-based drinks.

Q: How easy is it to clean the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Cleaning the machine is quite easy. The machine will prompt you when it's time for maintenance, and all removable parts, such as the water reservoir and drip tray, are straightforward to clean.

Q: Can I save my custom coffee settings on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Yes, the machine allows you to save up to eight personalized coffee recipes, so you can quickly access your preferred settings for different drinks.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress make both espresso and milk-based drinks?
A: Yes, the machine can brew a wide variety of coffee drinks, including espresso, Americano, latte, cappuccino, and flat white, and it offers customizable options for milk texturing as well.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, the machine is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it a great choice for beginners. The touchscreen interface and pre-programmed settings take the guesswork out of brewing.