Tampers

A coffee tamper, what exactly is it? And how do you find the right tamper? A delicious espresso is the result of the right technique, equipment, tools, coffee beans and espresso machine. Anyone using an espresso machine will also need to think about the right tamper. Below you will find all the information about a coffee tamper.

What is a tamper?

This accessory is used to press the espresso coffee into the piston of your espresso machine. A tamper consists of a handle with a weighted disc at the bottom. By tamping your coffee, the water flows through the coffee less quickly and is given time to properly absorb all the aromas. So using a tamper makes the difference between a cup of coffee with a full aromatic flavor or a bland cup.

What size do you need?

There are different types and sizes of tampers, 51 and 58 mm in diameter are common. Which one you need depends on your type of espresso machine. The coffee tamper most commonly used in the catering industry has a diameter of 58 mm and is flat (flat base) or slightly convex (convex base). It depends on your personal preferences which one you like best.

Note: When buying a tamper, it is important that it fits your piston properly.

How much pressure should you put?

Tamping ground coffee should be done under a pressure of about 15 kg. You maintain this pressure while turning the tamper 120 degrees, creating an even polished layer. As with making a cappuccino, it is with a milk frother is also important to get a feel for this. That way, you get the perfect taste to your cup of coffee.

Tip: Take a personal scale and press it down to 15 kg. This will give you a sense of how much pressure to put on the tamper.

Why tamp coffee?

Tamping the coffee creates a smooth and compact surface, so the water from the machine has the same amount of resistance everywhere. You want to be able to repeat this the same way every time, so that your favorite coffee always tastes the same. In fact, that control ensures that you can repeat what you are doing and thus make a great cup over and over again. That's why it's important to master the parts of tamping.

How should you tamp coffee?

This technique is more in your hand. Namely, it is important that the palm of the hand rests on the top of the handle. The fingertips direct the tamper to tamp the ground coffee forcefully, but most importantly, straight. If the handle is too large, it is more difficult to rest your fingers on the "base. And so you have less control over the end result. So a handle is often a personal choice. It is important not to move the piston while tamping. A tamper mat is ideal to prevent this.

Buy Tamper

Are you planning to make the best coffee yourself and have a real barista coffee? For that, you can buy a tamper. We offer tampers where you can choose from different types, sizes and colors. So you can find the perfect tamper that suits you with great ease. Buying a tamper is quick and easy in our webshop! But do not forget all coffee & tea items such as a espresso cup not. At Cookinglife you've come to the right place for that.