Breville Eye Q toaster review: a ‘revolutionary device’ that makes perfect toast without me trying

Key Points:

• Breville’s new Eye Q toaster uses a heat-resistant optical sensor that monitors the browning of bread 10 times per second, allowing it to toast bread perfectly by color rather than relying on time settings.
• The toaster successfully handles various types of bread, including dark rye, cinnamon raisin, and frozen sourdough, without needing manual adjustments, as it detects color changes to determine doneness.
• It offers seven browning shades plus an additional "a bit more" option and includes a bagel setting that toasts the sandwich side more than the outer side for optimal warming.
• While individual slices toast well, the gradations between browning settings were somewhat inconsistent in testing, with some levels producing lighter toast than expected.
• The Eye Q represents a significant innovation in toaster technology, potentially paving the way for similar sensor-based cooking devices, and highlights key food science principles like Maillard browning and starch retrogradation that contribute to toast’s flavor.