As a passionate coffee lover, I’ve learned that making the perfect espresso involves more than just using the right beans or the right grind size—it's about precision. One aspect that can often be overlooked is the brewing temperature. When I first got my hands on the Breville (or Sage in the UK) Barista Express, I was thrilled by its many customizable options. But it wasn't until I figured out how to tweak the brewing temperature that I truly unlocked its potential. Uncover the premium brewing capabilities in our Breville Dual Boiler BES920XL review
If you're interested in adjusting the brew temperature on your Breville/Sage Barista Express, this guide will walk you through the process. Whether you're trying to optimize for different roast profiles or adjust for altitude, fine-tuning the temperature can elevate your espresso experience. Explore the intuitive design and features in our Breville Barista Touch Impress review

Why Brewing Temperature is Important
The temperature of the water during brewing plays a crucial role in flavor extraction. If the temperature is too high, you risk over-extracting the coffee, leading to a bitter or burnt flavor. If the water is too cool, under-extraction occurs, and you end up with a sour or weak-tasting espresso. The optimal temperature for espresso typically ranges between 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C). However, different beans and roast levels perform best at different temperatures. Compare these two top models in our Breville Barista Express Impress vs Pro review
Lighter roasts generally do better at higher temperatures, helping to showcase their bright, intricate flavors. On the other hand, darker roasts tend to shine at slightly lower temperatures, allowing their bold, rich qualities to emerge without any added bitterness. Find the right machine for you in our Breville Barista Pro vs Express review
The good news is that the Breville/Sage Barista Express allows you to adjust the brew temperature, giving you the flexibility to perfect your coffee. Learn the differences between these high-end machines in our Breville Oracle vs Oracle Touch review
Understanding Your Breville/Sage Barista Express
The Barista Express is a semi-automatic espresso machine loaded with advanced features, including a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller for stabilizing temperature during brewing. Although it doesn’t have a visible temperature control dial, the machine comes with a hidden setting that lets you modify the brewing temperature.
Once you understand how to access this setting, you can make the most out of your machine without investing in additional gear.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting the Brewing Temperature
Power Off the Machine
Before making any adjustments, start by turning off your Barista Express by pressing the power button. This will ensure that the machine is not actively brewing or heating while you make changes.
Enter Programming Mode
To access the temperature adjustment settings:
Hold down the Program button.
While holding it, press the Power button to turn the machine back on.
Continue to hold the Program button until the lights on the control panel begin to flash, signaling that you are in programming mode.
Select Your Desired Temperature
Once you’re in programming mode, you can adjust the temperature as follows:
Press the Single Shot button to decrease the temperature by 2°F (1°C).
Press the Double Shot button to increase the temperature by 2°F (1°C).
Press the Filter Size button to reset the temperature to the default setting of 200°F (93°C).
The LED indicators help you keep track of your settings:
Both 1 Cup and 2 Cup lights on: Default 200°F (93°C).
1 Cup light only: Lower temperature at 198°F (92°C).
2 Cup light only: Higher temperature at 202°F (94°C).
Make the Temperature Adjustment
Use the Single Shot or Double Shot button to make the temperature adjustments, depending on your bean type and flavor preference. Each press changes the temperature by 2°F (1°C).
Higher temperatures can emphasize the bright, fruity notes of lighter roasts.
Lower temperatures can bring out the sweetness of darker roasts without adding bitterness.
Save Your Settings
After adjusting to your preferred temperature, press the Program button once more to save your settings and exit programming mode. The machine will briefly turn off and restart, applying the new temperature settings.
Test Your Espresso
After saving the temperature setting, pull a shot to evaluate the flavor and extraction time. If the espresso doesn’t taste quite right, you may need to fine-tune the settings further or adjust other factors such as grind size or tamping pressure.
It may take a few attempts to find the perfect combination, but the effort is well worth it.
Troubleshooting and Extra Tips
Even though the process is simple, you might run into some minor challenges. Here are some tips to help you out:
Temperature Adjustments Not Working: Ensure that the machine is in programming mode with the control panel lights flashing before attempting any changes.
Flavor Problems Persist: If adjusting the temperature doesn’t give the desired result, take a look at other variables such as grind size, tamp pressure, or the freshness of your beans.
Frequent Adjustments Needed: Feel free to use temperature adjustments to cater to different bean types. Light roasts often benefit from higher temperatures, while dark roasts may perform better at lower settings.

Conclusion
Changing the brew temperature on your Breville/Sage Barista Express can significantly impact the quality of your espresso. With just a few simple steps, you can customize the machine to suit the unique flavor profiles of various beans, leading to richer and more complex brews.
When I started experimenting with different temperature settings, the improvements were truly remarkable. If you’re still using the default temperature, don’t hesitate to make some adjustments. With a bit of patience, you can unlock flavors that you didn’t even know your beans were capable of delivering.