Coffee lovers from all over the world enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy a espresso quality thanks to premium appliances like this Sage Barista Express coffee machine, which we analyze for you today at MC. If you’re a coffee lover, but a very coffee lover, you’re wondering what’s next.

First of all, a warning to boaters: this is not a coffee maker for everyone. And that’s not because it’s complicated to use (in fact it’s not at all), but because, in addition to the rather high price for those who just want to have a coffee (from 550 euros), it’s designed for those who really they like the coffee making process.

To do this, Sage puts a whole series of little rituals in our hands: from worrying about changing the water filter every three months, to choosing the coarseness with which we want to grind the beans, to thinking about the amount of coffee we use. introduce “pressed” into the bowl or, if we want to go one step further, play with different soaking times. If we want to “skip” part of these steps and have coffee faster instead, Sage also offers us the option of using pre-ground coffee, which is good, but undoubtedly takes away some of the fun.

To ensure optimal quality, Sage promises us four key elements of this machine: filter capacity between 18 and 22 grams of coffee, 9 bars. pressure (with an Italian 15 bar pump for that), water temperature of 93º (experts say the ideal temperature is between 90º and 95º maximum) and powerful steam (130º) to achieve micro foam milk.

All this relies on an elegant machine in brushed stainless steel, with smooth curves and an industrial design with a certain retro touch, which manages to maintain a “compact” size for what we are used to in this type of coffee machine (31.8 x 35.1 x 40, 4 cm). In any case, and if we have doubts whether the coffee machine will fit in our kitchen, the company offers us an application that allows us to virtually fit any of its appliances using augmented reality.

Unpacking and commissioning

We no longer unpack anything and before use we will have to assemble some elements such as adjusting the water filter, assembling the grinder and initial setup, which, like other coffee machines, means doing a pre-cleaning program if we don’t want our first coffee to taste at least strange.

From there, using the manual, we get to know the options that the machine offers us: from indicating the thickness to which we want to grind the coffee (we can choose between 16 grinding settings in the integrated grinder), to learning the difference between automatic and manual dosing or why we should use different filters, if the coffee we introduce to this barista is grain or already ground. And this is important, because watch the data, the manufacturer gives us four to choose from: two for bean coffee (1-2 cups) and two more for pre-ground coffee (1-2 cups).

Part of this process, as we warn you now, is trial and error, especially when indicating the amount of ground coffee that we are going to put into the filter. In theory, if we choose the automatic mode, we just need to indicate the number of cups (1-2), press the grinding button and then start the pressing lever. The indicator light tells us if we have not finished or if there is too much coffee. If we fall behind, we’ll have to introduce ourselves a bit more, and if we go too far, we’ll use the Razor leveling tool provided by Sage.

However, our experience is that betting on this automatic modality it’s a bit of a play and probably end up with coffee overflowing. In manual mode and once we are a little attentive, we will be able to indicate the exact amount we need without exaggerating.

Preparing coffee

From there we pass the filter holder to the brewer itself. And here we will also have a little learning process. Grinding too finely (together with an overdose of coffee in the filter or over-pressing) will cause the coffee to descend from the machine very slowly and offer us a bitter and astringent taste. If the grind is too coarse, we will not extract all the aroma and flavor of the coffee, which will be somewhat colored and without body. And here, of course, our taste comes into play and how play with these factors we find (over time) the combination that is closest to what we like.

If we want to go one step further, we can also play with the pickling times. He pressure gauge In addition to the pressure, the central part of this Barista Express also indicates the moment at which it extends our coffee and what it calls the “espresso range”. If we simply press the button for 1-2 cups, the whole process will take place automatically. However, if we keep the same button pressed for a few seconds, we can play and control different brewing times according to whether we want the coffee to be a bit bitter or more balanced. In the same way, we can also program the amount of coffee that we estimate corresponds to a cup.

Despite this process, more or less automatic, more or less manual, the truth is that it is oa very easy to use machine, with which we will not have a problem and which in our experience offers excellent results in all phases. As with most of these types of machines, we also have a steam nozzle with which we heat and froth the milk. A detail that is appreciated is that the brand also includes a metal jug (with appropriate quantity indicators) for this process.

Cleaning and maintenance

To ensure cleanliness in this machine, we find an anti-drip bowl, a tray cover and an independent anti-drip grid. That these pieces are not only quick and easy to remove, but also have a good capacity is not trivial.

Every time we turn the coffee machine on and off, prepare a cup of coffee or use the milk frother, the water from the automatic rinse passes through the internal circuit of the coffee machine into the drip tray to ensure optimal performance. For proper maintenance therefore we need to empty this stack maximum every 2-3 days.

Furthermore, in the package we find a cleaning set consisting of a special brush, a cleaning tool with which we can remove any residues deposited in the joints, tablets that we must dissolve in the tank for periodic cleaning of the internal circuit, an Allen key and a special disc that allows us to improve the cleaning the steamer.

Proper maintenance of the machine can ensure many years of use from this Sage Barista Express, which can only be faulted for a little more precision in the amount of coffee it is going to grind, and at this price, there is no other option like the one we found in the Sage Barista Touch.

You can buy it on the manufacturer’s website for 549 euros and also in the retail channel. For example, Amazon has it on sale with a 26% discount on the price 539 euros and Prime benefits.