Sure espresso has been around for hundreds of years, but it’s never been so easy to be your own in-home barista until the Breville Barista Express and Barista Touch machines. It can be hard to know the difference between the models, however. This article compares the features and settings of both machines to help you decide which is best for your needs. Let’s get started!
Overview of Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is a semi-automatic espresso machine with an integrated burr grinder. It comes with a range of espresso-making capability thanks to the digital PID temperature control and adjustable grind settings. The “express” feature adjusts the size of the filter basket depending on the dose you select, allowing for adjustable flow speeds—ideal for pouring custom latte art. It also has a hot-water outlet and steam wand for frothing milk.
The Barista Express is designed to be easy to use, with a backlit LCD display that shows all the settings and functions. It also has a built-in cleaning cycle to keep the machine running smoothly. The machine is made from stainless steel and comes with a one-year warranty.
Overview of Breville Barista Touch
The Breville Barista Touch is a super-automatic espresso machine. It doesn’t have a built-in grinder, but it comes with one-touch options like grinding before or after extraction, as well as a programmable dosing feature so you can ensure consistent high-quality beverage. The espresso output button allows for multiple strengths and sizes, so you can customize shapes and sizes with ease. Additionally, the automatic milk texturing allows for any style of milk from fluffy latte art foam to micro-textured cappuccinos.
The Barista Touch also features a built-in water filter, which helps to reduce scale buildup and improve the taste of your espresso. It also has a built-in cleaning cycle, so you can keep your machine running smoothly and efficiently. The intuitive LCD display makes it easy to navigate the menu and customize your drinks. With the Breville Barista Touch, you can make café-quality espresso drinks with ease.
Differences in Features and Functionality
At first glance, the two models may appear quite similar, so it’s important to look closely at their features and functionality to understand their differences. Aside from the lack of a built-in grinder on the Barista Touch, the main difference between the two models is their automation levels; the Barista Express is semi-automatic, while the Barista Touch is fully automated. This means that the Express requires a bit more work on the user’s part, such as grinding and tamping the beans, adjusting temperature settings and manually frothing milk.
The Barista Touch, on the other hand, is designed to make the espresso-making process as easy as possible. It features a built-in grinder, automated milk frothing, and a user-friendly touchscreen interface that allows you to customize your espresso drinks with the touch of a button. This makes it ideal for those who want to enjoy barista-quality espresso drinks without the hassle of manual preparation.
Brewing Capabilities
The Express offers better espresso extraction with its digital PID temperature control and adjustable grind settings while the Touch has auto grinding, dosing and tamp settings with adjustable intensity levels. The Touch also features a steam wand for manual milk frothing and a hot-water outlet for other beverages like tea or hot chocolate.
The Express and Touch both feature a double boiler system, allowing for simultaneous brewing and steaming. This allows for faster brewing times and more consistent results. The Express also has a built-in cup warmer, allowing you to pre-warm your espresso cups before brewing. Both machines are designed to be easy to use and maintain, with intuitive controls and easy-to-clean parts.
Milk Frothing and Texture Options
When it comes to milk frothing, both machines offer similar results. The steam wand on the Express gives you more control over the texture and styles of milk, whereas the Touch has an automatic milk-texturing system for latte art and micro-textured cappuccinos. The Touch also features an integrated cleaning system that removes any residue from the milk frother after each use.
Cleaning and Maintenance Considerations
Both machines have built-in cleaning systems that help streamline the process of keeping them in great shape. The Barista Express requires you to clean the portafilters and steam wand manually after each use, while the Touch has an automatic cleaning cycle that runs after each brew. Both machines require descaling every few months to keep them functioning properly.
Cost Considerations
The Breville Barista Express tends to cost more than the Touch, owing to its grinder and adjustable features that give you more control over the espresso extraction process. However, both machines are solidly built investments that can last for years if properly maintained.
Summary of the Comparison
In terms of features and capabilities, both machines offer excellent results and high-quality beverages. While the Express offers more in terms of control with their grinder and adjustable features, their manual maintenance requirements may be too much for some users. In contrast, the Touch offers fully automated capabilities with consistent results but slightly less control.
Ultimately, it comes down to user preference and budget. Both machines are excellent options for creating cafe-style espresso drinks at home.
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