Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As a coffee enthusiast and someone who appreciates the artistry behind a perfectly brewed cup, I’ve tried several espresso machines over the years. While some were decent, others were a bit disappointing. However, when I came across the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I was immediately intrigued. The promise of effortless, café-quality espresso at home seemed too good to pass up. In this review, I’ll walk you through my experience with the Breville Barista Touch Impress and explore its features, performance, and overall value. Spoiler alert: It’s a game-changer.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress: Unboxing and First Impressions

The first thing I noticed when unboxing the Breville Barista Touch Impress was its sleek, modern design. As soon as you pull it out of the box, you can tell that Breville has designed this machine with both functionality and aesthetics in mind. Its stainless steel finish gives it a professional, high-end look, while the 4.3-inch color touchscreen interface stands out as a highlight. The touchscreen is intuitive, and right off the bat, I could tell that this was going to be a machine designed for ease of use.

Aside from its looks, the Barista Touch Impress also feels durable. Its build quality is solid, and the materials used, including the stainless steel body, portafilter, and tamper, feel premium. The machine is well thought-out, with an ergonomic design that makes it easy to use even for beginners.

Key Features of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Now that I’ve covered the first impressions, it’s time to dive into the features that make the Breville Barista Touch Impress stand out from other espresso machines on the market.

Impress Puck System

One of the first features I noticed during use was the Impress Puck System. This system is a game-changer when it comes to tamping espresso. For those who aren’t familiar, tamping is the process of pressing down the coffee grounds in the portafilter before brewing. Proper tamping is crucial for achieving a balanced extraction, but it’s something that many home baristas struggle with. The Breville Barista Touch Impress solves this issue by automating the tamping process. The Impress Puck System delivers a consistent tamp every time, ensuring that each shot of espresso is evenly extracted.

Touchscreen Display for Ease of Use

Another standout feature is the touchscreen interface. The 4.3-inch color touchscreen allows you to navigate through settings with ease, making the machine user-friendly even for beginners. With just a few taps, I could adjust everything from the grind size to the temperature and shot strength. Additionally, the touchscreen includes customizable presets for popular coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos, which is great for those who want quick and convenient options.

The touch interface is also highly responsive, which made it easy to make adjustments on the fly. The touchscreen’s clear, intuitive layout further simplifies the process of brewing your ideal cup of coffee.

Performance of the Breville Barista Touch Impress: Espresso Quality

When it comes to an espresso machine, the most important aspect is, of course, the quality of the coffee it produces. After using the Breville Barista Touch Impress for several weeks, I can confidently say that it delivers a top-tier espresso experience.

Consistent Espresso Shots

One of the first things I noticed was how consistently the Breville Barista Touch Impress delivered espresso shots. The machine utilizes a 15-bar pump and a thermocoil heating system, both of which contribute to the consistency of the espresso. The result? Rich, full-bodied espresso with a smooth, velvety crema. The consistency was particularly noticeable in how each shot was extracted—no more uneven shots with sour or overly bitter notes, which I’ve experienced with other machines.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress also comes with pre-infusion technology, which moistens the coffee grounds before the full extraction process begins. This helps to ensure an even extraction and balanced flavor, which is a feature I really appreciate. The pre-infusion process helps minimize channeling, a common problem in espresso brewing where water flows unevenly through the coffee grounds, resulting in an inconsistent shot.

The Built-in Grinder: Fresh Grounds Every Time

Another feature I love is the built-in conical burr grinder. Freshly ground coffee makes a world of difference in the quality of the shot, and the Breville Barista Touch Impress makes this easy. The grinder offers adjustable grind sizes, allowing me to fine-tune the coarseness of the grounds depending on the type of coffee I want to brew. Whether I’m making a fine espresso grind or a coarser grind for a different style of coffee, the grinder works efficiently and quietly.

One of the standout aspects of the grinder is its dose control system, which ensures the right amount of coffee is dispensed into the portafilter. This makes for a more precise extraction and helps to avoid waste. The ability to adjust both the grind size and dose is something I’ve found particularly useful, as it allows me to experiment and perfect my espresso over time.

Milk Frothing Capabilities: A Game-Changer for Lattes and Cappuccinos

If you’re someone who enjoys milk-based coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, then the Breville Barista Touch Impress has you covered with its impressive milk frothing system. The machine comes with a steam wand that provides automatic milk texturing. This allows you to easily create smooth, velvety microfoam, which is perfect for crafting lattes and cappuccinos at home.

Latte Art Capability

The best part? The Breville Barista Touch Impress makes it easier to create latte art, even if you’re not a seasoned barista. The steam wand’s performance is exceptional, allowing me to create silky smooth milk foam that’s perfect for pouring beautiful hearts, rosettas, or tulips. While I’m still perfecting my latte art skills, I’ve found that the milk frothing system makes it easier to achieve the right texture for latte art.

The automatic milk frothing is a great convenience, particularly for those mornings when I don’t have the time to manually steam the milk. The milk texture produced by the Breville Barista Touch Impress is also much better than what I’ve gotten with other machines in the same price range.

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Breville Barista Touch Impress

One of the most frustrating things about owning an espresso machine is cleaning it. After all, making espresso can get a little messy, and maintenance is crucial for keeping your machine in top condition. Fortunately, the Breville Barista Touch Impress makes cleaning relatively easy.

Easy-to-Clean Components

The machine features a removable drip tray and water reservoir, both of which are dishwasher-safe. The milk frother’s steam wand is also easy to clean; all it requires is a quick purge after each use to prevent milk buildup. Additionally, the machine has an automatic cleaning cycle that helps to keep the internal components free from coffee oils and milk residue, making maintenance hassle-free.

Breville Barista Touch Impress Review: Pros and Cons

As with any product, there are always pros and cons. Here's what I found after using the Breville Barista Touch Impress:

Pros:

• Impress Puck System ensures consistent tamping, which results in better extraction and more consistent shots.
• User-friendly touchscreen interface makes it easy to adjust settings and customize your coffee.
• Built-in grinder allows for freshly ground coffee every time, with adjustable grind settings.
• High-quality milk frothing system makes it easy to create professional-level lattes and cappuccinos.
• Fast heating time, allowing you to start brewing in just a few seconds.
• Ease of cleaning with automatic cleaning cycles and dishwasher-safe components.

Cons:

• Price: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is on the higher end of the price spectrum, which may be a barrier for some potential buyers.
• Size: It’s relatively large compared to some other home espresso machines, so it may not be suitable for smaller kitchens.

Breville Barista Touch Impress Review: Final Thoughts

After spending several weeks using the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I can confidently say that it’s one of the best espresso machines I’ve had the pleasure of using. The combination of ease of use, exceptional performance, and high-quality espresso puts it a step ahead of many other machines in this price range.

The Breville Barista Touch Impress excels at delivering consistent, café-quality espresso, and its milk frothing system makes it easy to craft professional-level lattes and cappuccinos at home. While the price may be a bit steep for some, the convenience and quality it offers are well worth the investment if you're a coffee lover who wants to elevate their at-home brewing game. This machine has definitely improved my coffee experience, and I believe it could do the same for you!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Breville Barista Touch Impress

Q: What makes the Breville Barista Touch Impress different from other espresso machines?

A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress stands out primarily because of its Impress Puck System, which automatically delivers a consistent tamp every time you brew. This feature ensures evenly extracted shots of espresso, even for beginners who might struggle with tamping manually. Additionally, it offers an intuitive touchscreen interface, making it easy to adjust settings like grind size, shot strength, and milk frothing, all in a user-friendly format. The machine also includes an integrated grinder and automatic milk frothing system that delivers excellent latte art potential.

Q: How does the Impress Puck System work?

A: The Impress Puck System is a key feature in the Breville Barista Touch Impress. It automatically tamps the coffee grounds with a consistent, precise force, ensuring an even tamp every time. Proper tamping is crucial for extracting balanced espresso, and this system removes the guesswork for you. The machine even uses a "soft" tamping process before the main tamp to avoid damaging the grounds, resulting in better coffee extraction and less chance of channeling.

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

A: While the Breville Barista Touch Impress includes an integrated conical burr grinder that allows you to grind fresh coffee beans for every shot, you can certainly use pre-ground coffee if you prefer. However, for the best taste and quality, it’s recommended to grind fresh beans just before brewing. Freshly ground coffee helps preserve the flavors and aromas that tend to degrade in pre-ground coffee.

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

A: One of the features I appreciated most is how quickly the Breville Barista Touch Impress heats up. It only takes about 3 seconds to reach the ideal brewing temperature, which is significantly faster than many other espresso machines I’ve used. This makes it a great choice for those who need their coffee fix in a hurry, especially during busy mornings.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to clean?

A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed with ease of maintenance in mind. The drip tray and water reservoir are removable and dishwasher-safe, which simplifies cleaning. After each use, it's recommended to purge the steam wand to prevent milk residue buildup, and the machine even has an automatic cleaning cycle that prompts you to clean it after every session. The grinder is also easy to clean, ensuring that the machine stays in top condition with minimal effort.

Q: Can I make milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

A: Yes! The Breville Barista Touch Impress comes with a steam wand that allows you to froth milk for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based drinks. The milk frother produces velvety microfoam ideal for latte art. Additionally, the machine features an automatic milk texturing system that helps you create perfectly steamed milk every time, even if you're not an expert in frothing.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress come with preset coffee recipes?

A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress offers a range of customizable presets for different types of coffee drinks, such as espresso, cappuccino, and latte. These presets are fully adjustable through the touchscreen, allowing you to modify the strength, temperature, and milk frothing options. This makes it convenient if you prefer a quick brew without having to manually tweak the settings every time.

Q: How much maintenance does the Breville Barista Touch Impress require?

A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is relatively low-maintenance thanks to its self-cleaning features. You’ll need to regularly clean the portafilter, drip tray, and steam wand after each use. The automatic cleaning cycle will prompt you to run the cleaning program, which keeps the machine in good working order. It’s also a good idea to occasionally clean the grinder and water reservoir to avoid buildup. Overall, the machine is designed to make routine cleaning as easy as possible.

Q: What kind of coffee beans should I use with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is compatible with any type of whole coffee beans. You can use light, medium, or dark roasts depending on your personal preferences. It’s important to grind the beans just before brewing for the freshest flavor. The machine’s adjustable grind size allows you to experiment with different beans to find the grind that best suits your tastes.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for beginners?

A: Absolutely! The Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed with ease of use in mind, making it a great option for beginners. The touchscreen interface is intuitive, and the built-in Impress Puck System handles the tamping automatically, so you don’t have to worry about making a mistake. Additionally, the preset drink options let you quickly brew popular coffee drinks without needing to manually adjust settings each time. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to get into espresso making without feeling overwhelmed.

Q: How large is the Breville Barista Touch Impress? Can it fit in a small kitchen?

A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is relatively large compared to many other home espresso machines. Its dimensions are approximately 14.5 inches in width, 12.5 inches in depth, and 16 inches in height. While it offers professional-level features and performance, it does take up quite a bit of space. If you have a small kitchen or limited counter space, you’ll need to measure carefully to ensure it fits comfortably. However, its compact design relative to its capabilities makes it a great option for those with a bit of counter room to spare.

Q: What is the price range for the Breville Barista Touch Impress?

A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is positioned in the mid to high-end range for home espresso machines. As of now, you can expect to pay somewhere between $800 to $1,000, depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions or sales. While it may not be the most affordable option, the features, convenience, and quality of coffee it provides make it a good value for those who are serious about making espresso at home.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress make good espresso?

A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress consistently produces excellent espresso. Thanks to the 15-bar pump, thermocoil heating system, and pre-infusion technology, each shot of espresso is rich, balanced, and full-bodied, with a smooth crema. The Impress Puck System ensures that the coffee grounds are tamped evenly, resulting in better extractions. Overall, it delivers café-quality espresso that rivals what you'd expect from a professional machine.

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

A: If you're someone who enjoys high-quality coffee and wants to invest in a machine that delivers professional-level results with minimal effort, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is definitely worth considering. While the initial investment may be on the higher side, its ease of use, consistency, and ability to make café-style drinks at home make it a worthwhile purchase for coffee enthusiasts who want to elevate their brewing game.