Tempers for coffee: description, history, varieties

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Making real coffee is a creative process. Especially if you need to brew this drink in a coffee machine. To do this, a barista bartender, like any artist, requires a variety of tools. Otherwise, the taste of the finished drink will not be so pleasant. Which, of course, is very upsetting. Coffee tampers are important devices that are used to prepare not only an invigorating, but also a very tasty drink in a coffee machine.

What is this

Not everyone knows what coffee tampers are. These are not just tools. Without them, the barista will not be able to prepare a delicious drink. The main purpose of tempera is to tamp the coffee directly into the portafilter. The name of the instrument comes from the English tamping. It translates as "tamper". It conveys the very essence of the instrument. It is worth noting that today there are many ways to tamp coffee. However, tempera remains relevant to this day. Such a tool is suitable not only for professional baristas, but also for home use.

Why do we need such a tool

Tempers for coffee allow you to compress natural coffee. This is necessary in order for the tabletfrom ground grains acquired a homogeneous structure. Thanks to this, water will flow evenly through it. As a result, the correct extraction of flavoring aromatic substances will be ensured.

If you compress a coffee tablet unevenly, then empty cavities will remain in it. It is through them that water will pass. Because of this, the taste of the finished drink will seem burnt. Proper tamping of ground beans is one of the most important steps in making coffee. Only temping provides a stable taste and unique aroma of the drink.

How tempera appeared

Tempers for coffee as an independent device were brought to the market by the American Rage Barber. He was very surprised that many coffee machines for tamping ground beans came with an uncomfortable and cheap piece of plastic. Such a device does not make it possible to carry out high-quality pressing of the product. In addition, it was very inconvenient to work with it throughout the day.

As a result, Reg Barber Enterprises Inc, Reg Barber's company, launched the production and sale of coffee tampers. As a result, it has become a leader in the industry. In addition, the products of this company serve as an award at many barista competitions.

Reg Barber Enterprises Inc makes comfortable and original tampers. However, their cost is quite high. The cost of a steel platform with a wooden handle is from 30 dollars (about 2000 rubles) and more.

What to look out for

How to choose a tamper for coffee and whatshould I pay attention when choosing it? First of all, the accessory must have a comfortable handle. Otherwise, it will not be possible to compress the ground coffee evenly. To get a good tablet, it is necessary to exert a force equal to 13-20 kilograms on the tool. If the tempera knob is not comfortable, then it will be simply impossible to put pressure on it with such an effort. You should choose a tool according to your hand.

The size of the sole is very important. The diameter of the accessory must match the dimensions of the portafilter basket. But that's not all. Please note that in some coffee machines the walls of the portafilter narrow down. If the gap is very small, then the tool will constantly get stuck. The tamper for coffee, the dimensions of which should be 0.5-1 mm smaller than the diameter of the basket in the machine, should be selected in accordance with all parameters.

Outsole material

Many manufacturers make tempera with plastic soles. This is the least practical and cheapest material. It scratches easily. In addition, the tool is light in weight, making it difficult to press coffee.

Very often, the sole for an accessory is made of aluminum. As a rule, these are tampers of the middle price category. Such an accessory is a practical and quite convenient option. However, aluminum scratches easily.

The stainless steel outsole is a stable and durable surface that won't scratch. In addition, this tamper has a lot of weight.

Tempera shape

Do you know what a spherical coffee tamper is? Such an accessory has become very popular in recent years. Many baristas believe that the water usually runs along the walls of the portafilter. The spherical shape of the accessory allows you to increase the layer of coffee around the circumference. The result is a uniform passage of water through the tablet. In addition, such a surface makes it possible to avoid the destruction of the tablet by the fastening. However, this tamper also has a drawback: when pressed hard, there is a possibility of warping.

Flat - This is the traditional and most common form of the sole.

In the case of a grooved sole, there is a pattern in the form of several circles on its surface. Why this is necessary, no one can say for sure. However, there is an opinion that water will pass through a tablet with such a pattern more evenly.

Another accessory - with a dynamometer. This tamper allows you to set the exact pressure during temping. However, experienced baristas believe that such a device is useless. After all, the skill of pressing with the necessary effort is practiced quickly enough.