| When making espresso with your espresso machine, it | | | | making a double espresso, start by only putting half the |
| is very important that the ground coffee is well packed | | | | dose in the filter. |
| in the filter basket. If the ground is not properly | | | | Knock the filter basket lightly against the counter to |
| compacted, the water will flow through the coffee to | | | | make the coffee even out in the filter basket. |
| quickly and create thin and bitter cup of espresso. This | | | | Grab the tamper and press straight down against the |
| is much the same principle as when grinding | | | | coffee. You should press quite hard, so it helps to put |
| espresso.The tool for the job is called an espresso | | | | the filter basket down on the counter. Finish by twisting |
| tamper, and the process is called tampering. A correct | | | | the tamper a bit using the power of your wrist. |
| tamping makes the water flow through the coffee | | | | Check the basket for any loose coffee near the |
| evenly so that no part of it is overextracted during | | | | walls, you will find at least some. Knock the tamper |
| brewing. The tamper is usually made of metal and can | | | | lightly against the counter again, and repeat the |
| have a flat or a rounded bottom. Cheep ones coming | | | | tamping once again. |
| with your espresso machine may also be made of | | | | If you were making a double espresso, add the rest |
| plastic.Choosing the right tamper is not rocket science, | | | | of the coffee and repeat step 1 to 4 above. |
| however it is important that the tamper has the right | | | | When you have finished your tamping exercise, make |
| dimensions for the filter basket of your espresso | | | | sure that the coffee is evenly spread in the filter |
| machine. If the tamper is too small, this will result in an | | | | basket. If not, start over again until you get it |
| unevenly packet ground with higher density in the | | | | right.Espresso tamping is not hard when you know |
| middle, and thus the water flowing past in near the | | | | how, but depending on the pressure and quality of your |
| edges of the basket. Also, getting a tamper that gives | | | | machine, as well the ground you are currently using, |
| you a good grip will also make things easier.When | | | | the pressure you need to apply with the tamper may |
| tamping your espresso ground, follow these easy | | | | vary. Practice a few times until you learn the technique |
| steps. | | | | and the right pressure for your particular machine.Good |
| | | | luck with your espresso tamping! |
| Fill the filter basket with ground coffee. If you are | | | | |