If you don’t have the time, resources, or passion for making espresso-based drinks your life’s mission, stick with a more user-friendly appliance like an automatic drip machine. After all, it may not be as glamorous, but at least that leaves you plenty of counter space for other kitchen gadgets!
Breville Barista Express Espresso
- The Breville Barista Express is a one-stop espresso machine with a built-in grinder that can produce a shot of espresso in under a minute.
- With precision burr grinders and dose control, the machine grinds the right amount of coffee for each image.
- The pre-infusion system enhances flavor extraction for a balanced cup.
- The digital temperature control and manual milk texturing features offer optimal extraction and latte art potential.
- The grind size dial lets you customize your taste, and accessories include a trimming tool, portafilter, filter baskets, and more.
Unleash your inner barista with the Breville Barista Express! It’s amazingly easy to use and comes packed with a built-in burr grinder—making it all but impossible for you to screw up. Save yourself some hassle (not to mention over $200) by cutting out an extra purchase.
Breville Barista Express review
This impressive machine is kitted out to whip up delicious espresso creations – stainless steel body, half-pound hopper capacity for beans of your choice (preground or fresh!), plus double shot portafilter baskets. A year’s limited warranty also comes part & parcel, so you can sip in confidence knowing it has your back!
Specs
Get the perfect shot with our measuring razor and trim excess grounds to your desired taste. Cleaning disc + tablets for easy clean-up, coffee scoop for specific measurements, stainless steel milk jug for creamy lattés or cappuccinos – it’s all here! Plus, if that wasn’t enough? We’ve also included an ultra handy stowable tamper, so you can always access café-style espresso wherever life takes you.
The Barista Express is compact and stylish, this espresso machine measures 15.8 inches in height – perfect for all kitchen spaces – wide enough (12.6″) that you won’t have things fit on top but slender enough (13.2″) to slide under cabinets if needed, making it the hippest form of home brewing yet!
Setting the grind size
You can transport your taste buds to coffee heaven with a dial twist! A fine grind will produce an intensity usually reserved for dank cafes. Although this grinder isn’t a top-of-the line and only has 18 settings, it’ll still leave you sippin’ satisfied.
If you’re not gunning for a watered-down latte, it’s best to keep your espresso settings between 4 and 5. Otherwise, the shot will be too weak – or may even taste like drip coffee!
Adjusting the grind amount
Finding the right amount of coffee grounds for your portafilter can take a bit of trial and error, like balancing on that skinny – but oh so crucial – line between success and failure. Get it just perfect…or don’t even bother!
No need to worry about double or single-walled baskets – just hit a button, and away you go! It’s almost like magic but better. We’ll tell you all the details in due course.
Tamping your shot
No need to worry about bringing your tamper along. The Barista Express has you covered with an aptly weighted one that holds its thanks to magnetic storage space – talk about packing power!
If you want to make tamping a breeze, don’t be afraid of adding some extra pounds – just the right amount of shoulder weight, and voila! To get those perfect grounds all distributed evenly, though? That’s where your trusty trimming Razor comes in.
Tidying your tamped shot
Cleaning grinds with this tiny brush may seem unimportant, but neglecting to do so can clog the brewing head and prevent the portafilter from locking securely. Regular cleaning helps to avoid additional cleaning tasks.
Monitoring the pressure gauge
A gauge, besides its charming vintage look, is helpful. Aim for around 9 bars and use the gauge as a reference. Though this machine may not achieve perfect pressure, the gauge provides a valuable guide. It needs to include a feature on the newer Barista Pro model.
Pulling the perfect shot
Once ready, choose single or double (1 or 2 cups) and let it pour. Espresso flowing from a portafilter into a small cup is a beautiful sight.
The product, straight up
And what a wicked elixir this thing breweth.
Operating the milk frother
Frothing is simple. Ensure the machine is prepared and the “Hot water/Steam” light is on, then set the dial on the right to steam. Direct the steam wand over the grate or catch any drips with a cup.
After it only emits pure steam, switch it to standby, add milk to the pitcher, and turn it on. A tip from Breville for steaming milk is to position the steam wand in the center of the pitcher, tilt it one-fourth of the diameter away from the wall, and hold it still until it is nearly too hot to touch.
For frothed milk in a cappuccino, continuously stir until you achieve light and airy bubbles.
Special features
What sets the Breville Barista Express apart is its in-built charcoal filter in the water tank. Unlike other brands that rely on purification tablets, this unique feature ensures pure water without the hassle of remembering to use them.
Problems to consider
I have but one bone to pick with the Barista Express.
Grind adjustment is a challenging aspect of this machine. The Breville burr grinder has an LCD screen that precisely controls the grounds’ weight. The dial is non-numerical, so you must memorize the correct settings for a single or double shot.
How does it measure up?
The Breville Barista Express is one of the easiest espresso machines to use, semi-automatic or not. At around $700, it stands out in its class. The Gaggia Classic Pro, while more hands-on and ideal for those looking to improve their skills, can be temperamental. It’s around the same price as the Barista Express but lacks a built-in burr grinder, which can add an additional $200 to the cost.
The bottom line
Go for the Breville Barista Express for a compact, all-in-one machine that delivers authentic espresso quickly. The price may seem high, but espresso machines are a long-term investment, and this one is reasonably priced for a high-quality machine.
If you aim to break the habit of regularly visiting Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the investment in the machine will pay off in a year or two. By then, you’ll likely be making custom drinks to your taste better than any barista.
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine
- The Breville Barista Express is a one-stop espresso machine with a built-in grinder that can produce a shot of espresso in under a minute.
- With precision burr grinders and dose control, the machine grinds the right amount of coffee for each image.
- The pre-infusion system enhances flavor extraction for a balanced cup.
- The digital temperature control and manual milk texturing features offer optimal extraction and latte art potential.
- The grind size dial lets you customize your taste, and accessories include a trimming tool, portafilter, filter baskets, and more.
What distinguishes espresso from coffee?
Espresso is created by rapidly forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans at 9 bars of pressure, producing a concentrated shot. On the other hand, coffee is typically brewed with coarser grounds and without high pressure.
There’s no hard-and-fast rule for pairing beans with brewing or roasting methods, but different roasts result in different flavors. Dark beans are typically more bitter, while light roasts offer sweetness and multiple flavors. Both can be used for espresso or regular coffee.
What makes espresso machines costly?
The high cost of espresso machines is mainly due to the powerful boiler required to produce consistent 9 bar pressure just below boiling. Pod machines may seem to meet these requirements, but they only produce a drink that falls between coffee and espresso.
Investing in an espresso machine instead of buying coffee out can be cost-effective, though it involves more time and effort. Espresso is a hobby or task, but the Breville is a user-friendly option that produces a quality shot in under a minute.
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