Breville Oracle Touch Review

In the realm of home espresso machines, the Breville Oracle Touch stands out as a revolutionary hybrid that merges the best of both worlds: the convenience of a super-automatic machine and the hands-on craftsmanship of a traditional espresso maker. With its sleek design, state-of-the-art features, and an impressive array of customization options, the Oracle Touch aims to elevate the at-home coffee experience to barista-level heights. But does it truly live up to its promise? Let’s take an in-depth look at this machine’s capabilities, design, and overall performance to determine whether it’s the right investment for your kitchen.

The Oracle Touch: A Blend of Automation and Craftsmanship

The Breville Oracle Touch is more than just an espresso machine; it’s a sophisticated piece of technology designed to simplify the complexities of making a perfect cup of coffee. One of its most notable features is its hybrid nature. While it automates many of the intricate steps involved in espresso preparation, it also allows users to engage with the process at a deeper level, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced coffee enthusiasts.

At the heart of the Oracle Touch’s appeal is its automated system for grinding, dosing, and tamping. This system ensures that even those who are new to espresso making can achieve consistent results without the steep learning curve typically associated with traditional espresso machines. With just a touch on its intuitive digital interface, the machine takes care of these crucial steps, freeing users from the meticulous work of manually measuring and tamping the grounds.

Yet, despite its automation, the Oracle Touch doesn’t completely remove the user from the process. For those who enjoy tweaking their brews, the machine offers options to adjust the grind size, shot temperature, and extraction time. This level of customization allows users to experiment and fine-tune their drinks to perfection, whether they prefer a strong, rich espresso or a smooth, velvety latte. Additionally, the ability to save custom drink settings adds a personal touch, making it easy to replicate your favorite brews day after day.

Design and Build Quality: Aesthetic Meets Functionality

Breville is renowned for its commitment to quality and design, and the Oracle Touch is a testament to this reputation. The machine boasts a sleek, stainless steel exterior that not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also underscores its durability. This is not a machine that will wear out quickly; it’s built to last, making it a worthy centerpiece in any kitchen.

Weighing in at over 37 pounds, the Oracle Touch is a substantial piece of equipment, reflecting the high-quality components that have been used in its construction. Its size and weight also suggest a certain level of stability, which is important when dealing with high-pressure espresso extraction. The machine’s robust build ensures that it remains stable on your countertop, even during the most vigorous brewing sessions.

The design of the Oracle Touch is both modern and functional. The dual boiler system, a feature usually reserved for commercial-grade machines, is a standout. This system allows users to brew espresso and froth milk simultaneously, which is a significant advantage for those who enjoy milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. The dual boiler setup also enhances the machine’s thermal stability, ensuring that each shot of espresso is brewed at the optimal temperature.

The machine’s user interface is another highlight. The touch screen is highly intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate through the various brewing options. Whether you’re pulling a shot of espresso, making a latte, or frothing milk, the interface provides clear instructions and allows for easy adjustments. For those new to espresso machines, this feature greatly reduces the intimidation factor, making it accessible even to beginners.

Performance: Consistency and Quality in Every Cup

When it comes to performance, the Oracle Touch is designed to deliver consistently high-quality results, making it a reliable choice for everyday use. The machine’s built-in conical burr grinder is a key component in achieving this consistency. A high-quality grinder is essential for making great espresso, as it ensures a uniform grind size, which is critical for optimal extraction. With 45 different grind settings, the Oracle Touch allows users to customize their grind to match their preferred brewing style, whether they like their coffee coarse or fine.

The machine’s PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) temperature control system is another feature that sets it apart from many other home espresso machines. This advanced technology continuously monitors and adjusts the water temperature during the brewing process, ensuring that the temperature remains stable and within the optimal range for espresso extraction. Consistent temperature is crucial for achieving a balanced, flavorful shot, and the Oracle Touch excels in this area.

Another noteworthy feature is the pre-infusion function, which moistens the coffee grounds before full pressure is applied during extraction. This step allows the coffee to bloom, releasing carbon dioxide and enhancing the flavors in the final shot. Pre-infusion is a technique commonly used in professional espresso machines, and its inclusion in the Oracle Touch demonstrates Breville’s commitment to delivering a high-quality espresso experience at home.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Oracle Touch is its milk frothing capability. The automatic steam wand allows users to set both the temperature and the level of foam, making it easy to achieve the perfect texture for any milk-based drink. Whether you prefer a thick, velvety microfoam for your cappuccino or a lighter froth for a flat white, the Oracle Touch can deliver with precision. The steam wand’s automatic purge feature ensures that it remains clean and ready for the next use, reducing the time and effort needed for maintenance.

For those who enjoy experimenting with their coffee, the Oracle Touch offers plenty of opportunities to explore different brewing techniques. The machine’s customization options allow users to fine-tune every aspect of the brewing process, from the grind size and dose to the temperature and extraction time. This flexibility makes it possible to adapt the machine to different types of coffee beans and brewing styles, ensuring that you can always get the best possible flavor from your coffee.

The Breville Oracle Touch: Who Is It For?

The Breville Oracle Touch is designed for a specific type of coffee enthusiast: someone who values both quality and convenience. It’s ideal for those who want to enjoy café-quality espresso drinks at home without the steep learning curve associated with more traditional machines. The Oracle Touch’s blend of automation and manual control makes it a versatile machine that can cater to a wide range of preferences and skill levels.

For beginners, the Oracle Touch offers a gentle introduction to the world of espresso making. The machine’s automated features take care of the most challenging aspects of the process, allowing newcomers to focus on enjoying their coffee rather than worrying about getting every detail right. At the same time, the machine’s customization options provide plenty of room for growth, making it a great choice for those who want to learn more about the art of espresso.

For more experienced users, the Oracle Touch offers a level of control that is often missing in other automated machines. The ability to adjust grind size, shot temperature, and extraction time allows seasoned baristas to experiment and refine their technique, while the option to save custom drink settings makes it easy to replicate favorite recipes.

However, if you are someone who enjoys the ritual and control of manual espresso making, or if you are looking for a machine that can produce competition-grade espresso shots, the Oracle Touch might not be the best fit. In such cases, a more traditional semi-automatic or even manual machine might be a better choice.

Final Verdict: Is the Breville Oracle Touch Worth the Investment?

In conclusion, the Breville Oracle Touch is a well-engineered, high-quality espresso machine that delivers on its promise of convenience and consistency. While it may not be perfect for everyone, it excels in making the process of brewing café-quality espresso drinks at home as effortless as possible.

For those who value their time and want to enjoy a great cup of coffee with minimal effort, the Oracle Touch is worth the investment. Its combination of automation and manual control makes it a versatile machine that can grow with its user, offering a rewarding experience for both novices and seasoned coffee enthusiasts alike.

If you’re ready to take your home coffee experience to the next level and are willing to invest in a machine that offers both quality and convenience, the Breville Oracle Touch is an excellent choice. With its advanced features, durable design, and ability to deliver consistent results, it’s a machine that will serve you well for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Breville Oracle Touch

1. What makes the Breville Oracle Touch different from other espresso machines?

• The Breville Oracle Touch is a hybrid machine that combines the convenience of a super-automatic with the customization and control of a semi-automatic. It features automated grinding, dosing, tamping, and milk frothing, while still allowing users to adjust settings like grind size, shot temperature, and extraction time.

2. How difficult is it to use the Breville Oracle Touch for beginners?

• The Oracle Touch is designed with ease of use in mind, featuring an intuitive touchscreen interface that guides users through each step of the brewing process. Even beginners can quickly learn to make high-quality espresso drinks without a steep learning curve.

3. Can I customize my coffee drinks on the Breville Oracle Touch?

• Yes, you can fully customize your coffee drinks. The Oracle Touch allows you to adjust the grind size, shot temperature, extraction time, and milk froth level. You can also save up to 8 custom drink profiles, so you can replicate your favorite recipes with ease.

4. How does the milk frothing system work?

• The Oracle Touch features an automatic steam wand that froths milk to your desired temperature and foam level. You can also manually froth milk if you prefer. The machine’s automatic purge feature cleans the steam wand after each use, making maintenance easy.

5. What is the difference between the Oracle Touch and the Barista Touch?

• The main differences are in the level of automation and components. The Oracle Touch has a dual boiler system, automatic tamping, and a larger portafilter (58 mm), making it more advanced. The Barista Touch is more affordable but requires manual tamping and has a single boiler system.

6. Does the Oracle Touch require a lot of maintenance?

• The Oracle Touch is designed for easy maintenance. It includes automated cleaning cycles and reminders for descaling and changing the water filter. The drip tray, water tank, and grinder components are all removable for easy cleaning.

7. Can the Breville Oracle Touch make more than one cup of coffee at a time?

• Yes, the Oracle Touch can brew two cups of espresso simultaneously, making it convenient for households with multiple coffee drinkers.

8. Is the Oracle Touch suitable for making straight espresso shots?

• While the Oracle Touch excels at making milk-based drinks, it can also produce high-quality straight espresso shots. However, if you are a purist looking for competition-grade shots, you might prefer a manual or semi-automatic machine with greater control over the brewing process.

9. How long does it take to make a drink with the Oracle Touch?

• The Oracle Touch heats up quickly and can brew an espresso or prepare a latte within a few minutes. The exact time depends on your settings and preferences, but it generally takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

10. Is the Breville Oracle Touch worth the price?

• The Oracle Touch is a premium machine with a price tag to match. However, for those who value convenience, customization, and consistent quality in their coffee, it can be a worthwhile investment, especially for regular coffee drinkers who would otherwise spend a lot on café purchases.

11. What comes in the box with the Oracle Touch?

• The Oracle Touch comes with a stainless steel milk jug, steam wand spare parts, a cleaning kit, a water hardness test strip, a water filter and holder, and an instruction booklet.

12. Does the Oracle Touch have a warranty?

• Yes, the Breville Oracle Touch comes with a 2-year warranty. Breville will repair or replace the machine if it encounters any defects within this period.

Specifications of the Breville Oracle Touch

• Manufacturer: Breville
• Model Number: BES990BST1BUS1/BES990DBL1BUS1/BES990BTR1BUS1/BES990BSS1BUS1
• Product Category: Hybrid espresso machine
• Housing Material: Stainless steel
• Color Options: Black Stainless Steel, Black Truffle, Brushed Stainless Steel, Damson Blue
• Milk Frother: Automatic steam wand with adjustable temperature and foam levels
• User Interface: Touchscreen control panel
• Portafilter Size: 58 mm commercial-grade portafilter
• Tamping: Automatic
• Water Reservoir: Removable, front-accessible
• Water Reservoir Capacity: 84.5 fl oz (2.5 liters)
• Number of Boilers: 2 (dual boiler system for simultaneous brewing and steaming)
• Pump Pressure: 15 bar Italian pump with over pressure valve (OPV)
• Maximum Cup Height: 4.0 inches (10.2 cm)
• Grinder: Stainless steel conical burr grinder
• Grind Adjustment Levels: 45 settings
• Bean Hopper Capacity: 8.1 oz (230 grams)
• Specialty Drinks: 5 pre-programmed (espresso, cappuccino, latte, flat white, americano) with customizable options
• Pre-Infusion: Adjustable pre-infusion time
• Adjustable Coffee Temperature: Yes
• Adjustable Milk Foam Temperature: Yes (104-167°F / 40-75°C)
• 2-Cup Function: Yes
• Hot Water Function: Yes
• Milk Foam Only Option: Yes
• Water Filter: Yes
• Power Consumption: 1800 watts
• Weight: 37.2 lbs (16.9 kg)
• Dimensions: 17.8 x 15.4 x 14.7 inches (45.2 x 39.1 x 37.3 cm)
• Warranty: 2 years

Included Accessories:

• Stainless steel milk pitcher
• Steam wand spare parts
• Cleaning kit
• Water hardness test strip
• Water filter and holder
• Instruction booklet
• Mini espresso knock box