tamp espresso

What Size Tamper Do I Need?

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The ideal tamper should be slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the portafilter basket so that the tamper does not bind while compressing grounds – essentially there should be a little extra space between tamper and basket. How do I know what size tamper I need? Measure the portafilter across the diameter (the centerline). … Read more

How Hard Is Tamp Espresso?

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Baristas often recommend 30 pounds of pressure, but some do as little as 20 pounds. More and more are finding that tamping pressure is overrated—it’s hard on the wrist and cause an over-extracted, bitter brew. Can you tamp espresso twice? Tamp twice For the first tamp, apply a light amount of pressure to form a … Read more