The Gear: Sage Barista Touch espresso machine
Posted By Gravel Union
On 30 January 2020
Product Title:
Sage Barista Touch espresso machine
Cost:
£999.95
Release Date:
Available now
Brand:
Sage Appliances
Website Link:
https://www.sageappliances.com/uk/en/products/espresso/bes880.html
Product Description
“Create café quality coffee at home with ease” promises the marketing material for the Barista Touch. What happens if you want to create café quality coffee in the office instead of at home, was the question posed by the Gravel Union office staff, does it still work just as well?
An office full of caffeine addicts will prove to be a pretty demanding one for any coffee machine. The employees will want perfect, easy to make, consistent quality coffee. The boss will want value for money, low running costs, durability, ease of service and a warranty in case something unforeseen happens.
Luckily, the Barista Touch ticks all the boxes. It’s been in pride of place in the Gravel Union for a month now and is used regularly. The staff went on a home barista training course at our local coffee roasters before we first used the machine. They taught us the basics of coffee making and some tips and tricks for looking after our Barista Touch (including a proper cleaning routine). But you don’t need to be trained – the machine is remarkably simple and intuitive to use – the screen on the front guides you through the different steps, warns you when it’s low on water or beans and even self-cleans the steam wand.
The quality and consistency of the coffee has been spot-on. We’ve had regular positive feedback from visitors. We’re not yet pouring perfect latte art and if you order a skinny decaf soy latte with sugar-free caramel sprinkles you’re likely to be given a withering look by whichever barista is in charge at the time.
Nearly £1000 is a big investment for an office coffee machine. You could just buy a take away coffee or make one from a cafetière or a stove top mocha, but if you’ve got the budget and you want pretty much perfect coffee every time, the Sage Barista Touch should be on your shortlist.