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Espresso is the drink that releases the most aromas and is the one that coffee lovers love the most. The secret lies in the technique of preparing espresso coffee. It should be remembered that the dosage of coffee and water is not the same according to the customs and cultures. Thus, there is a great variety of espresso coffees in the world. In France, some people like it long, while others prefer it short.
In any case, tamping the ground coffee to obtain a straight and uniform cake is an essential step in the preparation of espresso coffee. This allows a good extraction of the coffee, because it forces the water to pass through the ground coffee over the entire filter. In this case, each particle of coffee will be infused, which will result in a balance of flavors in the mouth. However, the tamping technique must be mastered.
With a coffee grinder or automatic grinder, the question does not even arise: a vertical cup is mounted on the machine. The filter holder, loaded with a dose of ground coffee, telescopes over the cup and the ground coffee is pressed down. But the problem is that in this way, it is difficult to obtain a homogeneous cake, since the diameter of the cup is generally smaller than that of the filter holder. This means that the entire grind is not compacted. This results in uneven packing, with high coffee density in some areas and low in others.
The other disadvantage of using the machine's built-in tamping system is that the ground coffee is not subjected to good pressure. In most cases, the pressure is low. As a result, the espresso coffee is over-extracted. The resulting acidity is not appreciated. This is why it is advisable to use a manual tamper, adapted to the filter holder of the espresso machine, but also to the user's morphology. It is necessary to be comfortable with the tool and to be able to use it without constraint.
In order to successfully pack the grind, the right instrument must be used. A good tamping tool must have certain characteristics: a suitable diameter, sufficient weight, a good handle size. Other criteria can be considered such as the type of bottom or the options.
It is important to know the size of the filter holder in order to choose the right tamper. In fact, the diameter of the filter holder varies from one espresso machine to another. For details on the value, simply consult the technical specifications of the coffee machine contained in the user guide. If it is not in the guide, you can always refer to the manufacturer.
Once the size of the filter holder is known, the choice of a tamper is only a formality. There are almost all sizes on the market: from 41 mm to 58 mm. So, there is a good chance that you will find the right model for the filter holder of the coffee machine that will be used to prepare the espresso. It is important to know that the closer the coffee cup is to the edge of the filter, the more efficient the grinding is.
The weight of the tamper can affect the quality of the packing. Indeed, the heavier it is, the more pressure it will add during the tamping process to form a straight and uniform cake. While a heavy tamper requires less effort, it does not necessarily guarantee a good grip by the user. But, in reality, the difference with a lighter model can only be evaluated in grams, and depends on the material used (aluminum, wood or stainless steel). The main thing is to be comfortable and to be able to handle the tool with dexterity.
In view of the finishes offered by manufacturers, one may think that the handle has only an aesthetic role. However, it also has a practical function. A handle that offers a good grip will make it easier to press the grindings and will promote the formation of a straight and uniform cake. Therefore, the size of the handle must be adapted to the physical characteristics of the user.
A coffee cup can have different shapes at the base. We can distinguish :
The differences between these 3 models are noticeable, but there is no evidence that one base favors a more efficient tamping of the grind than another. Once again, the choice is left to the user, although it may be interesting to adapt the shape of the base of the coffee cup to that of the water spray.
Apart from the classic coffee tampers, there are models that have certain functionalities, and which allow for an efficient tamping. These are the dynamometric and volumetric tampers.
The torque wrench allows you to set the desired pressure on the wafer, which greatly reduces the effort. Even beginners can use it to prepare a good home-made coffee.
As for the volumetric tamper, it allows you to adjust the desired volume of ground coffee in the filter holder after tamping. The use of this tamper requires a certain amount of experience in the preparation of espresso coffee, which can make it difficult for beginners to use.
To pack the grind and obtain a regular cake, it is necessary to take the right steps. Here are the different steps to follow to pack your espresso coffee properly.
At the end of the operation, it is customary to turn the filter holder over. If the contents hold, it means that the grind is compact and that the espresso has been successfully pressed. If not, it is advisable to practice applying sufficient pressure using a towel and a bathroom scale.
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