Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

If you're like me, coffee is not just a beverage—it's a ritual, a daily comfort, and sometimes even an art. That is why finding the right espresso machine can feel like finding a new best friend. I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Breville Barista Touch Impress, and I want to share my honest impressions of this product. It offers a blend of high-end features with user-friendly ease, and there’s a lot to unpack here, both in terms of features and how it makes life easier (and tastier) for coffee lovers. Tips on Using a single basket with a Breville or Sage home espresso machine

Unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress

• Portafilter

• Set of filter baskets

• Stainless-steel milk jug

• Cleaning kit

I remember the day my Breville Barista Touch Impress arrived—it felt like Christmas morning. The box was well-packed, and the attention to detail was evident from the moment I opened it. Inside, I found the machine along with all the necessary accessories: a portafilter, a set of filter baskets, a stainless-steel milk jug, and a cleaning kit. Everything was organized thoughtfully, and the machine itself looked gorgeous—shiny stainless steel with a smooth touchscreen, making an immediate impression.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed to be more than just aesthetically pleasing; it’s intended to make your coffee-making process smoother. Setting up the machine was a breeze. The instructions were clear, and I had it up and running in no time. What caught my eye first was the touchscreen—a central hub for customizing my perfect brew. Learn How to steam milk on the Breville Barista Express

Touchscreen Magic: Getting Started

The Breville Barista Touch Impress takes the guesswork out of making espresso, and this all starts with its touchscreen interface. Unlike many espresso machines that can seem intimidating with multiple dials, knobs, and buttons, this one lets you navigate through drink options with a simple touch. Imagine a screen that practically says, "Hey, what kind of coffee magic are we making today?" That's exactly what it felt like.

To illustrate just how easy it is to use, one morning I customized a flat white to suit my preference. I adjusted the grind size to be a bit finer for a stronger shot, set the milk temperature to 140°F, and made sure the milk texture was on the creamier side. After saving these settings, I could easily recreate my perfect flat white with just a few taps. It was incredibly convenient, and knowing that I could replicate this same cup again without hassle made my mornings much smoother.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress takes the guesswork out of making espresso, and this all starts with its touchscreen interface. Unlike many espresso machines that can seem intimidating with multiple dials, knobs, and buttons, this one lets you navigate through drink options with a simple touch. Imagine a screen that practically says, "Hey, what kind of coffee magic are we making today?" That's exactly what it felt like.

I loved the pre-programmed drink options: espresso, latte, cappuccino, and flat white, to name a few. Each of these options can be customized to your liking, whether you prefer a stronger shot or a milkier latte. I found myself experimenting with different settings—adjusting the milk temperature and tweaking the grind size—and the machine remembered my preferences, which was a great touch. For someone who loves coffee but hates fiddling with settings every morning, this was a huge plus.

Grind and Tamping: Consistency in Every Cup

Consistency in grind size and tamping pressure is crucial for achieving a balanced and flavorful espresso shot. Uneven grind sizes can result in either under-extraction (leading to sour flavors) or over-extraction (leading to bitterness). Similarly, inconsistent tamping can cause uneven water flow through the coffee grounds, producing an unbalanced taste. The Breville Barista Touch Impress helps eliminate these issues by providing consistent grind settings and assisted tamping, ensuring every cup is as good as the last. Know How to steam milk on the Breville

One of the things that sets the Breville Barista Touch Impress apart from other espresso machines is its built-in grinder and assisted tamping feature. Let me tell you, as someone who has struggled to get a consistent grind and tamp with previous machines, this was a game-changer.

The grinder has 25 different grind settings, meaning you can adjust it to match the roast you’re using or the type of drink you’re making. I loved having that level of control, and the grind consistency was spot-on every time. Plus, with the "Assisted Tamping" feature, I didn’t have to worry about applying just the right pressure—the machine takes care of it. It’s like having a professional barista guiding my hand, which made me feel more confident in my espresso game.

Breville Barista Touch Impress Review on Steaming and Milk Frothing

If you love milk-based drinks like I do, you’ll understand the importance of perfectly steamed milk. The Breville Barista Touch Impress has an automatic steam wand that not only heats the milk to the desired temperature but also creates a creamy microfoam that’s essential for good latte art.

It’s worth noting that different types of milk can affect the frothing results. For example, oat milk tends to create a thicker foam, while almond milk can be a bit trickier to froth to the same consistency as dairy milk. Despite this, the Breville Barista Touch Impress handles non-dairy milk impressively well, providing good microfoam for most alternatives.

If you love milk-based drinks like I do, you’ll understand the importance of perfectly steamed milk. The Breville Barista Touch Impress has an automatic steam wand that not only heats the milk to the desired temperature but also creates a creamy microfoam that’s essential for good latte art.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to use the steam wand. There are no complicated maneuvers—I just put the jug under the wand and let it do its magic. The results were consistent each time: a silky, smooth texture that made me feel like I was sipping on a professional cafe-quality latte. For those who prefer to froth milk manually, the machine also gives you that option, but I found the automatic mode to be more than satisfactory.  Tips on How to change the brew temperature on Breville/Sage Barista Express

Brewing Consistency: Does It Deliver?

To highlight just how impressive the Breville Barista Touch Impress is in terms of brewing consistency, it’s worth comparing it to another popular model: the Breville Barista Express. While the Barista Express is a fantastic machine in its own right, especially for those who prefer a more hands-on approach, it requires more manual effort to achieve consistent results. In contrast, the Touch Impress's automated features, like assisted tamping and precise temperature control, make it easier to get a perfect shot every time without much guesswork. This level of consistency is particularly valuable for users who want café-quality espresso without needing to fine-tune every element themselves.

Brewing a consistent cup of espresso can be challenging, but the Breville Barista Touch Impress really shone here. The machine's ability to maintain a consistent temperature was one of the highlights for me. When it comes to making espresso, consistency is key—the wrong temperature or an inconsistent grind can turn your shot bitter or weak. Every shot I pulled from this machine was full-bodied and flavorful.

The pre-infusion stage, where a small amount of water is introduced to the grounds before the full extraction, worked seamlessly. This process allows the coffee grounds to bloom, ensuring an even extraction. I loved the rich crema that topped each shot—something I often struggled to achieve with lesser machines.

Customization with the Breville Barista Touch Impress

When I was first considering whether the Breville Barista Touch Impress was worth the investment, customization was a big factor for me. After all, why pay for a premium espresso machine if it doesn't let you make the perfect cup for your taste? Fortunately, the Touch Impress allows you to personalize just about every element of your coffee.

Whether you want your espresso extra strong or your cappuccino with just a light froth, it’s all easily adjustable. The touchscreen not only makes it easy to choose your settings but also lets you save your favorites. I ended up saving three different profiles—one for a strong morning espresso, another for a lighter afternoon cappuccino, and one for guests who tend to prefer a milder brew.

Daily Use: Convenience and Speed

On busy mornings, the last thing I want is to struggle with an elaborate coffee-making process. I really appreciated how quickly the Breville Barista Touch Impress heated up. It only takes about three seconds to be ready for brewing—much faster compared to other machines I’ve used in the past. I was able to grind, tamp, and extract my shot in just a few minutes, making it a practical option even when I’m short on time.

The water tank, with a 2-liter capacity, also meant I didn’t need to refill it too often. For someone like me, who makes two or three cups a day, it lasted several days before I had to top it up. Overall, the daily convenience of the Breville Barista Touch Impress made it an absolute joy to use.

Breville Barista Touch Impress Review on Cleaning and Maintenance

A good rule of thumb is to descale the machine every 2-3 months, depending on your water hardness, to keep it functioning optimally. Regular cleaning of the steam wand and group head after each use will also prolong the machine's life and maintain coffee quality.

If there’s one thing I find daunting about owning an espresso machine, it’s the maintenance. However, the Breville Barista Touch Impress simplifies this aspect too. The machine features automatic cleaning cycles for both the steam wand and the group head, which made keeping things tidy less of a chore.

The drip tray is easy to remove and clean, and the machine even alerts you when it needs to be emptied. Additionally, the included cleaning kit was handy for those deeper cleans, like descaling. I particularly liked the fact that the touchscreen would remind me about maintenance tasks, helping me keep the machine in good condition without much thought.

Taste Test: Does It Compete with Café Quality?

When I’m spending a good amount of money on an espresso machine, I expect it to deliver café-quality coffee at home. And, honestly, the Breville Barista Touch Impress did not disappoint. I compared several of my espresso shots to those from my favorite local café, and the difference was negligible. I was thrilled to enjoy a rich, well-balanced espresso without having to leave my house—especially on lazy weekend mornings.

The milk-based drinks were similarly impressive. The microfoam created by the steam wand added a velvety texture to my lattes that made them feel just as luxurious as the ones I buy from a barista. This machine is versatile enough to cater to the casual coffee drinker and the serious home barista alike.

Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress Worth the Price?

Now, let’s talk about the price. The Breville Barista Touch Impress is certainly an investment, but considering what it brings to the table, I believe it’s worth every penny for the right person. If you love coffee, want the ability to make café-style drinks at home, and value convenience, this machine is an excellent option.

For someone like me who enjoys experimenting with different drinks but doesn’t always have the time to manually tamp and froth, it strikes the perfect balance between automation and control. Sure, there are cheaper options out there, but few offer the ease of use, consistency, and customization that the Touch Impress provides.

Product Review Conclusion: Breville Barista Touch Impress

All in all, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is an excellent investment for anyone serious about their coffee. Whether you’re someone who wants to elevate your morning coffee ritual or a coffee aficionado who likes experimenting with different brew methods, this machine has something to offer. The combination of intuitive features, user-friendly automation, and high-quality output makes it one of the best options available in the market today.

While it may come with a higher price tag, the convenience, consistency, and overall coffee quality make it worth the investment. It’s hard to beat the Breville Barista Touch Impress when it comes to delivering that perfect cup of coffee day in and day out—with minimal effort on your part. For those who value quality and convenience, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is very user-friendly. The touchscreen interface provides step-by-step guidance, and the automatic features, such as assisted tamping and milk frothing, make it easy for beginners to get consistent results without needing a lot of prior experience.

Q: How long does it take for the Breville Barista Touch Impress to heat up?

A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress uses a ThermoJet heating system that heats up in about three seconds. This means you can start brewing almost immediately, which is great for those busy mornings when you need coffee fast.

Q: Can I customize the drink settings on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

A: Absolutely! The Breville Barista Touch Impress allows for extensive customization. You can adjust grind size, shot volume, milk texture, and temperature. You can also save your personalized settings, which is perfect if you have a specific way you like your coffee.

Q: How often do I need to clean and descale the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

A: The machine will notify you when it needs cleaning or descaling. Typically, it depends on how frequently you use it. Regular cleaning of the drip tray and portafilter is recommended, while descaling may be required every few months depending on your water hardness.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress worth the investment?

A: If you value high-quality coffee and convenience, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is definitely worth the investment. It offers advanced features that make the brewing process easy while delivering consistent, café-quality results at home.

Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

A: Yes, you can use pre-ground coffee. The machine comes with both single and dual wall filter baskets, allowing you to use pre-ground coffee if you prefer. However, for the best flavor, freshly ground coffee is recommended.

Q: How does the milk frothing compare to other machines?

A: The automatic steam wand on the Breville Barista Touch Impress is one of its standout features. It creates consistent microfoam that’s perfect for latte art, and you can adjust the milk texture and temperature to