Heck, even Wirecutter, the product review section of the New York Times, said this was the one to get for Judy for Christmas. Well, maybe I am overstating this, the NYT didn't go so far as to say this one was perfect for Judy -- but they came awfully close.
I found one on sale at Canadian Tire. Yes, Canadian Tire. The store famous for oil changes, snow tires and automobile windshield cleaner also sells espresso machines. The nearest store had four. I got up early and got to the store minutes after it opened at 8 a.m.
At the check-out I told the lady at the counter I felt quite the fool. Who spends this much to brew coffee? I love my wife but I had to wonder if I loved her this much. I was conflicted. I mentioned I was surprised that the store only had four of these left. "You're wrong," the counter lady said. Someone beat you, and counting the one you are now buying, the store only has two left. She said some stores were sold out and she expected her store to sell out soon, maybe in minutes. Amazing!
Oh well, Judy loves it. It does make awfully good coffee -- although it calls regular coffee an Americano or some such foolishness. But what do I know? Sadly, this morning I found our usual coffee weak, lacking in character. Character? Who talks like that? Damn. I wish I had just bought Judy a box of chocolates. Then, my morning coffee would still taste wonderful.
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Units like the Breville Touch have a learning curve. The automation of the Touch shortens the learning curve but does not eliminate it. Breville understands and has posted videos and short articles addressing the most common problems encountered by newbie owners.
Let me give you some links.
4 Types of Coffee: This is a great page from Breville made even better by the links to be found at the very bottom of the page.
Use Google or AI to find more articles if necessary. Judy found the online info helpful. She now makes fine espresso.
