What is an espresso tamper?

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When making espresso, proper tamping is as essential as the grind of the coffee and the brewing process. A good tamper will help you make consistently better espresso.

Definition

An espresso tamper is a coffee-making tool, typically made of metal, that is used to pack espresso grounds in the filter to achieve proper coffee distribution.

Size

Espresso tampers come in numerous sizes. It is important to match the size of your tamper to the diameter of your filter basket, which could be anywhere between 49 and 60 mm.

Weight

Economy tampers are relatively lightweight, while more expensive models tend to be heavier. Heavier tampers are easier to use and provide better coffee compression than lightweight tampers.

Shape

Some tampers have a convex tamping surface, while others are flat. The difference is largely a matter of personal preference.

Cost

You can purchase an espresso tamper for less than $20, or pay nearly $90 for a fancier model as of January 2010.

Source:

INeedCoffee.com: Espresso Tamping

Esp-resso Guy: Buying a Tamper

More Information:

Illy USA: Tampers

Espresso Zone: Espresso Tampers

Espresso Parts: Espresso Tampers

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