Sage The Barista Touch Review: Craft Third-Wave Espresso at Home
Are you tired of settling for subpar espresso at home? Look no further than the Sage The Barista Touch SES880. This powerful and intuitive machine brings the café experience right to your kitchen, allowing you to craft third-wave specialty coffee with ease. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore the features, performance, and design of the Barista Touch, and compare it to other popular Sage espresso machines.
Key Features
The Barista Touch SES880 boasts an impressive array of features that set it apart from the competition:
- Intuitive Touch Screen Display: The easy-to-use touch screen allows you to navigate through the pre-programmed café drinks menu and customize your coffee to your liking.
- Automatic Milk Texturing: With the touch of a button, the Barista Touch creates silky smooth microfoam milk, perfect for latte art.
- Built-In Conical Burr Grinder: The integrated grinder delivers the right amount of freshly ground coffee on demand, ensuring maximum flavor.
- Rapid Heat-Up Time: Thanks to the ThermoJet heating system, the machine is ready to brew in just 3 seconds.
- Customizable Settings: Save up to 8 personalized coffee settings, so your perfect cup is always just a touch away.
Performance and Taste
The Barista Touch consistently delivers café-quality espresso, thanks to its precision temperature control (PID) and pre-infusion function. The PID ensures the water is always at the optimal temperature for extracting maximum flavor, while the pre-infusion gradually increases water pressure to gently expand the grinds for an even extraction.
The automatic milk texturing is a standout feature, creating silky microfoam at the perfect temperature for your chosen drink. Whether you're crafting a latte, cappuccino, or flat white, the Barista Touch's milk texturing is sure to impress.
Design and Build Quality
The Barista Touch features a sleek, brushed stainless steel exterior that looks great on any kitchen counter. The machine is well-built and sturdy, with a 67 fl.oz (2L) water tank and a half-pound bean hopper.
The touch screen display is responsive and easy to navigate, with clear icons and customizable settings. The included accessories, such as the 54mm portafilter, tamper, and milk jug, are all high-quality and built to last.
Comparison with Other Sage Espresso Machines
To help you make an informed decision, let's compare the Barista Touch to two other popular Sage espresso machines:
| Feature | Barista Touch SES880 | Barista Express BES875 | Bambino Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touch Screen Display | ✓ | ||
| Automatic Milk Texturing | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Built-In Grinder | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Customizable Settings | ✓ (8) | ||
| Water Tank Capacity | 67 fl.oz (2L) | 67 fl.oz (2L) | 64 fl.oz (1.9L) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 32.2 x 39.4 x 40.7 cm | 31.8 x 35.1 x 40.4 cm | 19.4 x 36.2 x 30.4 cm |
The Barista Express is a great choice if you want a built-in grinder but don't need the automatic milk texturing or touch screen display. It offers the same precision temperature control and pre-infusion function as the Barista Touch.
On the other hand, the Bambino Plus is a more compact and affordable option that still offers automatic milk texturing. It's perfect for those with limited counter space or budget who still want to enjoy café-quality espresso at home.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Intuitive touch screen display
- Automatic milk texturing
- Built-in conical burr grinder
- Rapid heat-up time
- Customizable settings
Cons
- Higher price point compared to other home espresso machines
- Requires regular cleaning and maintenance
- May have a learning curve for beginners
Conclusion
The Sage The Barista Touch SES880 is an exceptional home espresso machine that delivers café-quality coffee with ease. Its combination of intuitive touch screen controls, automatic milk texturing, and built-in grinder make it a top choice for coffee enthusiasts who want to craft third-wave espresso at home.
While it may come with a higher price tag and require some maintenance, the Barista Touch's performance and features justify the investment for those serious about their coffee. Whether you opt for the sleek brushed stainless steel or the stylish black truffle finish, the Barista Touch is sure to impress.
So, if you're ready to elevate your home espresso game and enjoy third-wave specialty coffee at the touch of a button, the Sage The Barista Touch SES880 is the perfect machine for you.
