Are you a coffee aficionado looking for an espresso machine to start your own cafe? Or maybe you just want to brew delicious cappuccinos before work. If so, two standout options from the espresso machine experts at Breville are the Barista Touch and Express models. While they have a lot in common, the differences can be subtle, and that’s why we here at InsertCompanyName have written this in-depth article. Let’s compare and contrast the two models to help you decide which is right for you.
Overview of the Breville Barista Touch
The Barista Touch is a sleek, stainless-steel espresso machine that comes with an integrated grinder and an automatic purge function. It can be programmed to make espresso shots, long blacks, cappuccinos, and lattes. Furthermore, a user-friendly touchscreen interface lets you customize the strength and volume per cup. The result? Amazingly consistent espresso every single time.
You can customize the temperatures, water pressure, and other settings to dial in the optimal flavor for your espresso. Plus, for extra convenience, there’s a bypass doser (for pre-ground coffee) and a hot water spout for Americanos or tea.
The Barista Touch also features a built-in steam wand for frothing milk, and a cup warmer to keep your espresso hot. It also has a removable drip tray and a cleaning alert system to remind you when it’s time to clean the machine. With all these features, the Barista Touch is the perfect choice for any espresso enthusiast.
Overview of the Breville Barista Express
The Barista Express is also a stainless-steel espresso machine from Breville. It comes with an integrated burr grinder so you can get your beans just right, plus the same automatic purge function as the Barista Touch. You can program the machine to make espresso shots, long blacks, cappuccinos, and lattes.
The Barista Express isn’t as stylish as the Barista Touch. This is offset by its range of features. The pressurized filter provides even extraction consistency, while manual temperature control gives you added customization. Additionally, you can use the built-in tamper to compress the grounds just as you’d expect in a barista’s shop.
Cost Comparison
The Barista Touch and the Barista Express are both expensive espresso machines, although each has its own price point. The Barista Touch costs less and is priced around $700. Meanwhile, the Barista Express runs around $900, but comes with more features.
Of course, you’ll also need to factor in beans, cups, cleaning supplies and other accessories. Thankfully, these machines tend to hold their value over time, as long as you keep them clean and don’t overwork them.
Design Considerations
The Barista Touch has a more modern look with a polished stainless steel exterior, intuitive touchscreen interface and LED lights that shine down on your cup. This makes it a great starting point if you’re looking to impress customers with a stylish machine.
The Barista Express is a bit bulkier and looks more like a traditional espresso machine. While it doesn’t have any fancy design elements, it has plenty of features to make up for it.
Performance Comparison
The Barista Touch and the Barista Express are both well-built machines that can brew great espresso shots. The Barista Touch is quicker to heat up and takes less time to brew. The grinder can be adjusted to extract more flavor from the beans while reducing grind time. It also has a better integrated steam wand that lets you froth milk quicker and better.
The Barista Express takes longer to heat up but produces consistent shots. It features pre-infusing technology that multiplies flavor extraction and a low-pressure pre-infusion feature that helps evenly distribute the water over your grounds. The pressurized filter makes it easier to get consistent shots without needing too much barista skill.
Features Comparison
The Barista Touch and Barista Express both come with integrated grinders that let you grind more efficiently. The Barista Touch also has an intuitive LCD display so you can easily adjust settings without confusion. On the other hand, the Barista Express has pressure gauges that let you adjust water pressure for more flavor in each cup.
The Barista Touch is pre-loaded with 4 recipe options to choose from – classic espresso, latte macchiato, cappuccino or lungo – while the Barista Express also offers a single shot only option.
Pros and Cons of Each Machine
Barista Touch:
- Pros: Intuitive touchscreen display, fast brewing time, efficient grinding.
- Cons: Pricey compared to other similar machines.
Barista Express:
- Pros: Pressurized filter for consistent shots, precision temperature control.
- Cons: Heats up slower than other machines in its price range.
Final Recommendation
Both the Breville Barista Touch and Express are top-of-the-line espresso machines from one of the best manufacturers in the industry. As such, whichever of these models you decide upon is sure to make café-quality espresso drinks for years to come.
For some, the Barista Touch will get the job done. Its fast brewing time and intuitive controls make it great to use on a daily basis. If you’re looking to get involved in more advanced coffeemaking techniques (especially temperature control) then the Barista Express is likely to better suit your needs.
Either way, you can’t go wrong with either machine – they both offer great quality espresso drinks.
0 responses to “Comparing the Breville Barista Touch and Barista Express”