Breville Barista Touch Impress Review

As someone who’s always been passionate about coffee, I’ve tried my fair share of espresso machines over the years. Whether it’s a manual espresso machine or a fully automated one, I’ve spent countless mornings trying to perfect that perfect shot of espresso. When I first heard about the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I was intrigued. It promised to make espresso making easier, more consistent, and even included a fancy feature to help with tamping pressure, something I’ve always struggled with. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and I have to say, I’m impressed.

For context, I’m not a coffee expert or a professional barista by any means, but I do love a good espresso. After all, there’s nothing like the deep, rich flavor of a freshly brewed cup in the morning. That’s why I was excited to see if this machine could take my coffee game to the next level. Spoiler: It didn’t disappoint.

A Modern, User-Friendly Design

When I first set up the Breville Barista Touch Impress in my kitchen, the first thing I noticed was how sleek and modern it looked. Its stainless steel finish is elegant without feeling too industrial, and it doesn’t take up too much space on my countertop. The touch screen interface is also a game changer. The machine comes with a large, intuitive display that makes everything from adjusting the grind size to selecting the type of coffee you want straightforward. I’m the type of person who appreciates a user-friendly interface, and this one delivered. No complicated settings or confusing buttons—everything is clearly labeled, and the touch screen is responsive.

What struck me the most is that even as a beginner in terms of espresso machines, I didn’t feel overwhelmed. The interface guides you step by step through each function, from grinding the beans to steaming milk, and everything in between. The simplicity of it made my first few cups of espresso feel effortless.

Grinding Fresh Beans: The Key to Great Coffee

One of the things I’ve always believed in when it comes to making coffee is that fresh coffee grounds are key to a great cup. That’s why the integrated grinder on the Breville Barista Touch Impress is such a standout feature for me. I can honestly say that grinding my own beans every time has made a noticeable difference in the taste of my coffee.

The grind size is fully adjustable, which means I can experiment with different textures depending on what I’m brewing. Whether I’m making a bold espresso or a lighter cappuccino, the grinder consistently delivers a perfect grind. It’s also quieter than I expected, especially compared to other grinders I’ve used in the past that make quite a bit of noise. The fresh grounds are key to getting that perfect espresso shot, and the Breville makes that part easy.

Tamping Made Easy: The Impress Feature

Tamping is a part of the espresso-making process that I’ve always found tricky. If it’s not done correctly, you can end up with uneven extraction, which affects the flavor of your coffee. That’s where the “Impress” feature on the Breville Barista Touch Impress comes in. This innovative feature essentially takes the guesswork out of tamping by automatically applying the right amount of pressure to the coffee grounds.

The first time I used it, I was honestly impressed by how consistent it was. I didn’t have to worry about pressing too hard or too soft; the machine handled it for me. It gives you a solid, even tamp every single time, which results in more consistent espresso shots. For someone who’s not a professional barista, this is a huge benefit. I also found that the machine does a great job of monitoring the tamping pressure in real-time, ensuring that I get the right consistency for each cup.

Steaming Milk Like a Pro

I’m someone who enjoys a good cappuccino or flat white, and the milk frother on the Barista Touch Impress didn’t disappoint. The steam wand is automatic, meaning you don’t have to worry about manually frothing the milk to get the right texture. You can adjust the temperature and texture of the milk according to your preferences, whether you like your foam dense or light.

For me, the steam wand produced a silky-smooth microfoam that made my lattes feel like they came straight from a café. It was incredibly easy to use, even though I’m not a pro when it comes to milk frothing. The machine makes it almost foolproof, so you don’t have to worry about getting the milk froth wrong or burning it. This feature really makes it easy to recreate café-style beverages at home.

Customization at Your Fingertips

One of the standout features of the Barista Touch Impress is how much you can personalize your coffee. Whether it’s adjusting the grind size, the strength of the espresso shot, or the milk texture, there are countless ways to make your coffee exactly how you like it. I love how easy it is to change the settings based on my mood for the day. Some mornings, I like a stronger espresso, while other times, I prefer a lighter brew.

The touch screen makes these adjustments quick and intuitive. For example, I can swipe to change the temperature of the milk or choose a more intense shot of espresso—all in a matter of seconds. There’s even a “my favorites” section where you can save your preferred settings for each drink. It’s a small but thoughtful touch that saves me time and makes my coffee-making experience that much more enjoyable.

Cleaning and Maintenance: A Breeze

One of the most important aspects of any espresso machine is how easy it is to maintain. After all, no one wants to spend hours cleaning their coffee maker after every use. Thankfully, the Breville Barista Touch Impress makes cleaning relatively easy. The machine comes with a built-in cleaning cycle that automatically alerts you when it’s time to clean, and it even takes you through the steps.

The steam wand is also easy to wipe down, and the removable drip tray, portafilter, and other components are dishwasher safe. So, after a busy morning of brewing coffee, I don’t have to spend too much time cleaning up. I appreciate that Breville thought ahead and made sure the maintenance process was as effortless as possible. If you’re someone who doesn’t want to spend too much time cleaning up after your coffee, this machine will definitely meet your needs.

A Final Thought: Is It Worth It?

After spending some time with the Breville Barista Touch Impress, I can honestly say that this machine has made my home coffee experience much more enjoyable. It’s easy to use, delivers consistently great coffee, and offers a level of customization that allows you to tailor each cup to your taste. While it may be an investment upfront, the convenience, quality, and professional results make it worth considering for anyone serious about their coffee.

Whether you’re a seasoned coffee drinker or just getting into the world of espresso, the Barista Touch Impress simplifies the process without sacrificing quality. Its combination of advanced features, like the Impress tamping function, integrated grinder, and customizable settings, make it a standout in the home coffee machine market.

If you’re looking for a machine that allows you to create café-quality drinks at home with ease, I’d definitely recommend giving the Breville Barista Touch Impress a try. It’s a reliable, user-friendly, and efficient espresso machine that’s perfect for anyone who loves coffee but doesn’t want to spend hours perfecting every shot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to use for beginners?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is very user-friendly, even for beginners. The intuitive touch screen interface and pre-programmed coffee settings make it easy to get started, and the machine guides you step-by-step through the coffee-making process. The added "Impress" feature for tamping takes the guesswork out of an essential part of brewing espresso, making it even easier for newcomers.

Q: Does the Breville Barista Touch Impress come with a built-in grinder?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress features an integrated burr grinder. This is a major advantage because it ensures you're grinding fresh coffee beans every time you make a cup. The grinder is adjustable, so you can customize the grind size to suit different types of coffee drinks.

Q: How does the milk frother work on the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The milk frother is automatic, meaning you don’t need any special skill to froth milk. You simply select your desired milk texture and temperature, and the steam wand automatically froths it to the perfect consistency. Whether you want thick foam for a cappuccino or smooth milk for a latte, the machine delivers professional-quality results every time.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress easy to clean?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed for easy maintenance. The machine has a built-in cleaning cycle, and many of the removable components, like the drip tray and portafilter, are dishwasher-safe. The steam wand is also simple to wipe clean after use, making the overall cleaning process quick and hassle-free.

Q: Can I customize the strength and flavor of my coffee with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: Absolutely. The Breville Barista Touch Impress offers a wide range of customization options. You can adjust the grind size, espresso strength, milk temperature, and milk texture to suit your preferences. There is even a "favorites" section where you can save your preferred settings for future use, so you don't have to adjust everything each time.

Q: How long does it take to make a cup of coffee with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is relatively quick. It takes about 1-2 minutes to heat up the machine, and once that’s done, you can brew a cup of espresso in under a minute. Adding milk foam or steaming milk takes a little longer, but overall, the machine is designed to be efficient and quick.

Q: Is the Breville Barista Touch Impress suitable for both espresso and milk-based drinks?
A: Yes, the Breville Barista Touch Impress is perfect for both espresso and milk-based drinks. It’s equipped with features that allow you to make a variety of drinks, including espresso, cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes, and more. The automatic milk frother makes it easy to switch between different types of beverages without any hassle.

Q: How durable is the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is built with high-quality materials, particularly the stainless steel exterior, which is both durable and stylish. With proper care and regular maintenance, it should last for several years. The machine also comes with helpful reminders for maintenance tasks like descaling, which can extend its lifespan.

Q: Can I make multiple cups of coffee at once with the Breville Barista Touch Impress?
A: The Breville Barista Touch Impress is designed for single-serve coffee making, so it doesn’t have a large capacity for brewing multiple cups at once. However, you can brew one cup after another with relative speed, especially if you're familiar with the settings and have everything ready. For households or small offices where multiple people are making coffee, it’s easy to use the machine continuously with a little time in between cups.