Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

When I first considered upgrading my coffee setup, I wanted a machine that could deliver café-quality coffee without being overly complicated or intimidating. After thorough research and plenty of deliberation, I landed on the Breville Barista Touch Impress. As someone who values a balance between control and convenience, this machine seemed to tick all the right boxes.

Setting Up the Machine: First Steps to Barista Bliss

Unpacking the Breville Barista Touch Impress was a satisfying experience. Every component felt solid and well-made, from the portafilter to the tamper. The setup process was seamless, thanks to the guided instructions on the touchscreen. I appreciated that it walked me through every step, including water hardness testing, grinder calibration, and even my first espresso shot.

Making My First Coffee

The first time I used the machine, I was struck by how quickly I could go from beans to a cup of espresso. The built-in grinder eliminated the need for a separate grinder, and the Impress Puck System ensured my coffee was tamped evenly with minimal effort. As someone who used to struggle with getting an even tamp manually, this feature was a revelation.

The espresso shot I pulled was aromatic, rich, and full-bodied, with a beautiful crema on top. While I knew it would take a bit of practice to master all the features, the machine’s ability to deliver great results right out of the box left a lasting impression.

Fine-Tuning My Coffee Experience

One of the things I love most about the Barista Touch Impress is the ability to customize every aspect of the coffee-making process. Over time, I learned to adjust the grind size and shot time to suit different types of beans. The touchscreen made this process intuitive, with clear visual indicators and straightforward controls.

For instance, when using a light roast, I found that a finer grind and a slightly longer extraction time brought out the delicate floral and citrus notes. With a darker roast, I preferred a coarser grind and a shorter extraction for a more robust and chocolatey flavor. The machine gave me the flexibility to experiment and truly tailor my coffee to my taste.

A Reliable Companion for Busy Mornings

One of the biggest challenges in my daily routine is finding time for a good cup of coffee on busy mornings. The Barista Touch Impress has been a game-changer in this regard. The presets allow me to quickly select my favorite drink—whether it’s a simple espresso or a creamy latte—and the machine takes care of the rest.

The automatic milk frother deserves special mention. It creates consistently velvety microfoam that’s perfect for latte art. While I’m no artist, I’ve managed to pour a few hearts and leaves, which adds a fun, personal touch to my morning ritual.

Exploring Specialty Drinks

As I became more comfortable with the machine, I ventured into making specialty drinks like flat whites, macchiatos, and even iced lattes. The ability to customize milk temperature and texture came in handy, especially for drinks like flat whites that require silky microfoam. I also experimented with flavored syrups and alternative milk options like oat and almond milk, all of which worked beautifully with the machine.

Cleaning and Maintenance: A Stress-Free Process

I’ll admit, I was initially concerned about how much effort it would take to maintain a machine with so many features. However, the Breville Barista Touch Impress has proven to be surprisingly easy to clean. The drip tray and water tank are removable, and the machine reminds me when it’s time for descaling or cleaning the grinder. These prompts have made maintenance simple and stress-free, ensuring the machine continues to perform at its best.

Perfect for All Skill Levels

What I find particularly appealing about the Barista Touch Impress is that it’s suitable for a wide range of users. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced home barista, the machine adapts to your needs. The touchscreen interface simplifies the learning curve for novices, while the customization options provide enough depth for those who enjoy experimenting.

Where It Shines

The Breville Barista Touch Impress excels in several areas:

• Versatility: From espressos to lattes and everything in between, it handles a wide variety of drinks with ease.
• Ease of Use: The guided setup, touchscreen interface, and automated features make it approachable for anyone.
• Quality: The espresso it produces rivals that of high-end coffee shops, with rich flavors and a balanced profile.
• Customization: With control over grind size, brew time, and milk texture, it allows for a highly personalized experience.

A Few Considerations

While the machine is undoubtedly impressive, it’s worth noting that it comes with a premium price tag. If you’re someone who enjoys a quick cup of coffee without much involvement, a simpler machine might suffice. However, for those who value quality, consistency, and the ability to refine their craft, the investment is well worth it.

Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend It?

The Breville Barista Touch Impress has truly elevated my home coffee experience. It strikes the perfect balance between automation and manual control, making it ideal for both casual coffee drinkers and aspiring baristas. The thoughtful design, intuitive interface, and outstanding performance make it a standout choice in its category.

If you’re considering bringing a café-quality experience into your home, I highly recommend giving the Breville Barista Touch Impress a try. It has transformed my mornings and made every cup of coffee feel like a small luxury—something I didn’t realize I needed until I experienced it firsthand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is very beginner-friendly. The intuitive touchscreen guides you through every step, from grinding to brewing and frothing milk. It also offers automation features like assisted tamping and automatic milk frothing, making it easy for novices to achieve excellent results.

Q: Can I customize the coffee settings on this machine?
A: Absolutely. The machine allows you to adjust grind size, extraction time, milk temperature, and froth level. You can also save your customized settings for future use, making it highly versatile for personalized coffee experiences.

Q: Does the machine work well with alternative milk options?
A: Yes, the Barista Touch Impress works well with alternative milks like almond, oat, and soy. The automatic steam wand creates silky microfoam, which is ideal for plant-based lattes and cappuccinos.

Q: How easy is it to clean and maintain?
A: The machine is designed for ease of maintenance. It has removable components like the drip tray and water tank, and it provides alerts for cleaning tasks such as descaling and grinder cleaning. These features make upkeep straightforward and stress-free.

Q: What drinks can I make with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The machine comes with presets for popular drinks like espresso, cappuccino, latte, and flat white. You can also experiment with custom beverages, such as iced lattes or flavored coffees, thanks to its flexible settings.

Q: How does the assisted tamping system work?
A: The Impress Puck System assists with tamping by applying consistent pressure, ensuring a polished coffee puck for even extraction. This feature eliminates the guesswork and helps achieve barista-quality espresso shots.

Q: Does the machine heat up quickly?
A: Yes, the Barista Touch Impress heats up in just a few seconds, thanks to its ThermoJet heating system. This quick startup time makes it ideal for busy mornings.

Q: Is the machine compact enough for small kitchens?
A: Despite its advanced features, the machine has a relatively compact footprint and fits well in most kitchens without taking up too much counter space.

Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee instead of whole beans?
A: Yes, the machine has a bypass doser for pre-ground coffee, giving you the flexibility to use pre-ground coffee when desired.

Q: Is the machine noisy during operation?
A: While the grinder and frothing functions produce some noise, it is comparable to other espresso machines in its class and not overly disruptive.