Sage Barista Touch Impress review: guided espresso, now with Cold Extraction

The Sage Barista Touch Impress walks you through every espresso on a touchscreen, tamps the coffee with a lever and textures your milk automatically. The version we sell has Cold Extraction: cold brew in under 3 minutes and a crema-topped cold espresso in just under 2. In this review we go through its features, compare it with the Barista Express Impress and the Oracle Jet, and tell you who it suits. You can find the machine in our shop: Sage Barista Touch Impress – Cold Extraction.

1. The most important features of the Sage Barista Touch Impress
2. Pros and cons
3. The difference between Sage Barista Touch Impress and the Sage Barista Express Impress
4. Maintenance and longevity
5. What we at OR Coffee Roasters think about the Sage Barista Touch Impress
6. Final thoughts on the Sage Barista Touch Impress

The Sage Barista Touch Impress boasts several features designed to simplify the espresso-making process while delivering professional-grade results. Let's have a closer look at what makes this machine special.

The Sage Barista Touch Impress is not just about performance—it also shines in the design department. With its stainless steel finish, it adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen. The machine is designed with a modern aesthetic in mind, featuring clean lines and a minimalist approach that makes it visually appealing.

In terms of size, the Barista Touch Impress is compact for a machine with this many features, but plan for some counter space: Sage lists it at 36 cm wide, 34 cm deep and 41.5 cm high.

The water tank sits at the back, so leave enough room to reach it or to slide the machine forward.

The Sage Barista Touch Impress simplifies the coffee-making process with its intuitive touchscreen interface. With just three steps—selecting the grind size, choosing the preparation method, and setting the milk texture—you can brew your favorite coffee with ease. The 'Barista Guidance' system offers real-time feedback, ensuring each step is executed precisely, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned coffee enthusiast.

The touchscreen also lets you adjust coffee strength, temperature and milk texture. You choose from 8 café presets, which now include cold brew and cold espresso, and you can save up to 8 drinks of your own.

Cold Extraction is what sets the current Barista Touch Impress apart from the first version. Next to the hot drinks, the touchscreen has two cold presets: cold brew, ready in under 3 minutes, and cold espresso with a layer of crema in just under 2. Brewing at a lower temperature gives a smoother, less acidic cup.

If you never drink iced coffee, Cold Extraction will not change much for you. If you do, it saves you a separate cold brew setup and a night of waiting. More on both presets in our guide to cold brew at home with Sage Cold Extraction.

One of the standout features of the Sage Barista Touch Impress is its cutting-edge ThermoJet heating system. This technology allows the machine to reach the optimal extraction temperature in just 3 seconds, eliminating the typical long wait time associated with traditional espresso machines. For busy mornings or when you're craving a quick coffee fix, this rapid heat-up ensures you can start your day without delay. Whether you're preparing a single espresso shot or multiple beverages back-to-back, the ThermoJet system keeps up with your pace, ensuring consistent performance every time.

Not only does the fast heat-up time enhance convenience, but it also contributes to maintaining the freshness and quality of your coffee. With water quickly reaching the precise temperature needed for extraction, you avoid the risk of under-extracted coffee caused by fluctuating temperatures. The quick temperature control also supports energy efficiency, reducing the time the machine stays on and thus saving power. Overall, the ThermoJet technology ensures that your coffee is ready faster without compromising on taste or quality.

A good espresso starts with the grind. The Barista Touch Impress has a built-in grinder with Baratza European Precision burrs and 30 grind settings, so you can match the grind to your beans and roast. The coffee is ground straight into the 54 mm portafilter, which keeps your counter clean.

The Impress puck system takes care of the next step. The touchscreen guides you to the right dose, and the lever on the side tamps the coffee for an even puck. A correct dose and an even tamp give you a balanced extraction, and that is exactly where most beginners struggle.

Another highlight of the Barista Touch Impress is its ability to ensure precise espresso extraction. At the core of this feature is the pre-brew function, which involves saturating the coffee grounds with water before the main brewing cycle begins. This step allows the coffee to bloom, bringing out the full range of flavors and aromas that are otherwise missed with a standard brewing process. By using this technique, you get a more flavorful and well-rounded espresso that highlights the nuanced characteristics of your chosen coffee beans.

The machine's PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) temperature control system is another critical feature. By keeping the water temperature stable, the PID system ensures that your coffee is brewed at the ideal temperature for optimal flavor extraction. Consistency is key when making espresso, and even slight variations in water temperature can dramatically affect the taste. The precise temperature control provided by the PID ensures that each shot has the same level of quality and flavor intensity, helping you achieve café-level results from the comfort of your home.

For those who love milk-based beverages like lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites, the Auto MilQ system in the Sage Barista Touch Impress makes milk drinks easy. You set the milk temperature between 40 and 75 °C and choose from 8 texture levels. The automatic steam wand allows you to create barista-style milk foam with minimal effort. The system is highly versatile, working seamlessly with a wide range of milk types, including oat, almond, soy, and regular dairy milk. This is particularly useful for households with varied milk preferences or for anyone who enjoys experimenting with different milk types to create unique coffee experiences.

Using the Auto MilQ system is as simple as it gets. All you need to do is pour your chosen milk into the jug, place it under the steam wand, and select the type of milk from the intuitive touchscreen display. The steam wand takes over, heating and frothing the milk to perfection. The system is designed to create silky-smooth microfoam, which not only enhances the texture and taste of your milk-based coffee but also makes it ideal for latte art. Whether you're new to frothing milk or an experienced barista, the Auto MilQ system ensures consistently great results every time.

• The user-friendly touchscreen interface makes it easy to navigate through the brewing process, offering real-time feedback and guidance, ensuring consistent results even for beginners.
• The ability to save up to 8 customized coffee recipes allows multiple users to enjoy their favorite drinks with just a touch, making it convenient for households with varying preferences.

• Auto MilQ system with the automatic steam wand effectively foams various types of milk, including oat, almond, soy, and dairy, ensuring perfect microfoam for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based beverages.

• The advanced ThermoJet system heats the machine to the optimal extraction temperature within 3 seconds, allowing you to make coffee quickly without sacrificing quality.

• Impress Puck system ensures the correct dosing and tamping of coffee grounds, which is crucial for achieving a perfect espresso shot every time.

• Precision grinding and dosing, with 30 adjustable grind settings and a built-in conical burr grinder, you can achieve the exact grind size needed for your preferred brewing method, enhancing the flavor and consistency of your coffee.

• Cold Extraction: cold brew in under 3 minutes and cold espresso with crema in just under 2, straight from the touchscreen.

• Pre-Brew function and PID temperature control work together to ensure optimal flavor extraction, resulting in a rich and balanced espresso with every brew.

Cons of the Sage Barista Touch Impress:

• Noisy grinding process, the built-in grinder, while effective, can be quite noisy, which might be a concern for those who prefer a quieter morning routine or live in small spaces.
• Premium price point, the advanced features and technology come with a higher price tag, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious consumers.

Touchscreen interface and user experience

One of the most significant differences between the Sage Barista Touch Impress and the Sage Barista Express Impress is the user interface. The Sage Barista Touch Impress is equipped with an advanced touchscreen interface that allows users to navigate through various options with ease. This touchscreen is not just for aesthetics; it’s a functional tool that guides users through each step of the coffee-making process. With 'Barista Guidance,' the machine offers real-time feedback, making it easier for both beginners and experienced users to brew the perfect cup of coffee. The touchscreen also allows you to save up to 8 personalized drinks, each with customizable settings for grind, milk texture, and temperature.

In contrast, the Sage Barista Express Impress lacks the sophisticated touchscreen interface. Instead, it relies on traditional buttons and dials to adjust settings. While this approach may appeal to users who prefer a more hands-on experience, it doesn't offer the same level of customization or user guidance as the Barista Touch Impress. The Express Impress is more straightforward and might be better suited for those who enjoy a simpler, more tactile brewing process without the need for extensive personalization.

The Sage Barista Touch Impress features the ThermoJet heating system, which allows the machine to reach the optimal extraction temperature in just 3 seconds. This rapid heating capability is a standout feature for users who want their coffee quickly without compromising on quality. The ThermoJet technology ensures that the machine is always ready to brew, making it convenient for busy mornings or when you're in a rush.

On the other hand, the Sage Barista Express Impress, while still offering excellent temperature control, does not heat up as quickly as the Barista Touch Impress. The Express Impress uses a different heating mechanism, which takes a bit longer to reach the ideal brewing temperature. This difference in speed might be a consideration for users who value efficiency and speed in their coffee-making process.

Customization is another area where the Sage Barista Touch Impress excels. With its intuitive touchscreen and advanced settings, you can easily adjust the intensity, temperature, and milk texture to create a coffee that suits your exact preferences. The ability to store up to 8 personalized drinks is a feature that adds to its versatility, allowing multiple users in a household to save their favorite settings.

In contrast, the Sage Barista Express Impress, while still offering a good level of customization, does not provide the same depth of options as the Touch Impress. The Express Impress allows you to control the grind size, dose, and milk frothing manually, which can be appealing to those who enjoy the artistry of coffee making. However, it lacks the automated convenience and extensive personalization options that the Barista Touch Impress offers, making it less ideal for users who prefer a more hands-off approach.

Cold Extraction and Auto MilQ

Two more differences decide it for many buyers. The Barista Touch Impress makes cold brew and cold espresso and textures milk automatically with Auto MilQ. The Express Impress does neither: you steam the milk yourself. Its grinder has 25 settings, against 30 on the Touch Impress. If you do not need those extras, the Barista Express Impress gives you the same tamping lever for less; read our Barista Express Impress review. If you want the machine to grind, dose and tamp by itself into a 58 mm portafilter, read our Oracle Jet review.

For the cleaning and descaling routine of every Sage model, with the products to use, read our guide to cleaning and descaling your Sage espresso machine. The basics are below.

• Clean the portafilter and group head: After each use, remove the portafilter and rinse it under hot water. Wipe the group head with a clean, damp cloth to remove any coffee residue.
• Empty the drip tray: The drip tray collects water and coffee drips during the brewing process. Make sure to empty and rinse it daily to prevent any buildup.
• Wipe down the exterior: Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the machine's exterior. Avoid abrasive cleaners that could scratch the surface.

• Clean the steam wand: After each use, purge the steam wand by turning on the steam for a few seconds to clear any milk residue. Once a week, detach the steam tip and soak it in warm water to remove any stubborn milk deposits. Use a pin or the provided cleaning tool to clear any blockages in the steam holes.
• Flush the group head: Run water through the group head without the portafilter attached to flush out any coffee grounds that may have accumulated. This process helps to keep the brewing path clear.

• Backflush the machine: Backflushing is essential for removing oils and coffee residues that accumulate in the group head. Use the cleaning disc that comes with the machine and a sachet of The Group Head Cleaner, the cleaning powder Sage lists for this machine. Run the cleaning cycle as instructed in the user manual. This process should be done once a month or more frequently if you use the machine heavily.
• Descale the machine: Depending on the hardness of your water, descaling should be done every 1-3 months. The Sage Barista Touch Impress will notify you when it's time to descale. Use Sage descaling powder or another descaler made for espresso machines and follow the instructions carefully. Descaling removes mineral buildup in the water lines and the ThermoJet heating system, ensuring the machine heats water efficiently.

• Use fresh, quality water: Always use filtered or bottled water to minimize mineral buildup inside the machine. Hard water can lead to scale formation, which affects performance and the taste of your coffee.
• Empty the bean hopper when not in use: If you're not planning to use the machine for a few days, empty the bean hopper to prevent the beans from going stale or the oils from turning rancid, which can affect the taste of your coffee.
• Store the machine properly: If you're not using the machine for an extended period, clean it thoroughly, including descaling and wiping down all parts. Store it in a dry, dust-free environment.
• Check the seals and gaskets: Periodically check the seals, especially around the group head and portafilter, for wear and tear. Replacing them when necessary ensures that the machine maintains proper pressure during brewing.

By following these maintenance steps, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your Sage Barista Touch Impress and continue to enjoy high-quality coffee for years to come. Regular cleaning and proper care not only maintain the machine’s performance but also protect your investment, ensuring that each cup of coffee is brewed to perfection.

At OR Coffee Roasters, we like the Barista Touch Impress for people who want guidance without giving up the portafilter. The touchscreen and Auto MilQ take most of the guesswork out of milk drinks, and the Impress lever gives you a consistent tamp. Cold Extraction is worth it if you drink iced coffee in summer; if you never do, the Barista Express Impress gives you the same lever for less.

The Sage Barista Touch Impress delivers on its promises: an intuitive touchscreen, a consistent tamp, automatic milk texturing and, on the Cold Extraction version, cold brew and cold espresso in minutes. Its price and footprint are the trade-offs. You can find it in our shop: Sage Barista Touch Impress – Cold Extraction.