by 
The Curious Bag
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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
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