Tamper is a device used to compress powdered coffee before it is put into the machine.
What is tamper?
Tamper is a device used to compress powdered coffee before it is put into the machine. The user uses the Tamper with moderate hand force, creating a flat surface on the coffee powder.
Tamper has the following 3 uses:
- Compress the coffee powder flat, forming a mass
- Make a gap above the filter to let hot water easily flow into the coffee block
- Helps coffee stay in contact with water longer, fully extracting the essence of coffee, creating a crema layer.
What happens if you don't use Tamper?
The answer is that the water will flow through the filter very quickly, because it is not retained by the "block" of coffee. Coffee will not have enough time to extract, resulting in bitter coffee, thin crema and quickly melting.
The time it takes for water to flow through the filter is only half of the standard time. The Espresso cup is very bitter, the crema foam is thin and has almost no sour taste, despite using 100% pure Arabica beans. And that was a failed coffee cup.
Compressing Coffee & Tamper is extremely important work
Therefore, compressing the coffee is a must, and the tamper is an important tool. Tampers usually go with your coffee maker set, but often that's not a good tamper and a perfect fit.
If it doesn't feel right, you need to choose another tamper. A good tamper both feels comfortable, makes you not lose too much strength and still creates a satisfactory cup of coffee.
How to choose to buy tamper
To choose to buy a tamper, it is necessary to note the following parameters of the tamper:
1. Material & style of handle (handle):
About material: Tamper handle is usually made of wood or metal (aluminum). Wooden tamper is usually more beautiful, but after a long time of use, the decorative pattern will be glossy or faded. Metal material is more durable, a little heavier but easy to clean, you can use it for a long time without fading.
About design: The handle usually has 2 styles: flat and round (gourd). The compression force when using a flat tamper will be more uniform, but generally the round type is preferred because it can fit the palm of the hand and can be rotated comfortably when used.
Round head tamper is more popular
2. Dimensions & material of compression face (base):
The most important thing when choosing to buy a tamper, is that the compression face size must match the filter size. Measure your brew filter's diameter, then choose the right tamper diameter. The most suitable size of the tamper is slightly smaller than the filter, usually 0.75 - 2mm. Tampers are available in sizes from 45mm to 58mm, of which the most popular are 53mm and 58mm
Regarding the material, the compression face of the tamper is made of metal, there are many different shapes such as flat, convex, plane with many concentric circles, etc.. There is no optimal solution in this. all cases. You can experiment with many to find the one that works best for you.
Common compression face shapes
3. Tamper weight (heavy – light)
This depends on you. If your hand pressure is strong, you can use a light tamper. If hand strength is weak, you should use a heavy tamper so that the weight of the tamper helps you in compression. What can you test? Anyone can use a heavy tamper well, light is not sure!
4. Appearance
Tampers come in many different shapes and colors. Maybe you want to match the color of the coffee machine or your space, choose according to your preferences. But remember, leave it last, efficiency comes first!
There are many types of Tamper with different shapes, colors & materials
5. Price
Based on the level of the Barista as well as the material, design, and appearance, tamper has many types with different prices from a few hundred thousand to several million VND. You should rely on all of the above factors, the most important of which is still the need & experience to find a satisfactory tamper.
Tips: You should not buy tamper online. Because simply, this is a product you must experience before buying. Or if you can't buy directly, choose an online store with a reasonable return and exchange policy so you can test it out.
Above are some tips and experiences for choosing to buy tamper. Good luck opening a cafe and/or becoming a successful Barista!
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