Next Lesson: Extracting Espresso
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Previous: Grinding Beans
Steps in this Video:
- Fill the portafilter with good grinds
- Make sure the grind is evenly distributed, fills the basket, and creates a small mound on top of the filter basket
- To level the coffee grinds, pat them down with four fingers so that they create a flat surface that is level with the top of the filter basket
- Wipe off any remnants on the rim of the basket
- Remove the tamper and place it on the center of the grinds
- Press down firmly and evenly with 35-40 pounds of force
- Tap the porafilter to knock off any remnants
- Tamp a second time with less force
- Lock the portafilter into the espresso machine
- Tamping ensures that the grinds are packed tightly into the filter basket
- The correct tamp pressure allows pressurized water in the machine to extract the best flavor and oils
- Ensuring good distribution helps to produce more uniform espresso that flows evenly and is of a higher quality
A tamper is used to press the grinds into the portafilter
A tamper is used to press the grinds into the portafilter
Why Tamping is Important
Next Lesson: Extracting Espresso
Previous: Grinding Beans
Previous: Grinding Beans
Discussion
UPDATE: The correct tamp pressure is 35-40 pounds of force. I know I said less in the video. The proper relationship between the amount of grinds and the tamp pressure is really key (and likely the part that takes the most practice to get right).
May 30, 2011 ben
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