Is a tamping mat necessary?

Is a tamping mat necessary?

Tamping mats are an essential must-have accessory for every barista, be it in a busy commercial setting or at home. Sure you can buy a flat square of rubber in any hardware shop that would achieve a lot of the aims of our Cafelat mats, but more often than not these are smelly old bits of rubber that look awful.

What is a tamper station?

Designed to provide a firm base while tamping, the ECM Tamper Station is fitted with a slot that allows you to rest your portafilter inside of it. That station is made entirely from polished aluminum and emblazoned with the ECM logo and the bottom has been machined with a seal to prevent slipping.

Should you tamp down espresso?

If you want to make the best espresso, you’ll need to pack the perfect puck. A good tamp creates resistance (with evenly compacted coffee) that makes the brewing water work hard to saturate the grounds and extract all of that great coffee flavor.

What is an espresso tamping mat?

Espresso tamper mats are designed to prevent damage from repetitive tamping to both your counter and your portafilter. You’ll also find some of the best mats you can buy right now.

What is a coffee tamper mat used for?

Tamping mats and tamping stations are used when pressing the coffee into the portafilter of an espresso machine. The mat protects the work surface and helps keeping it clean. Without a mat, the spouts of the portafilter would leave dents on your workbench.

How do you use a tamping station?

How the Rocket Espresso Tamping Station Works

1. Fill your portafilter with your favorite grind.
2. Place the portafilter in the station holder.
3. Tamp with approximately 30 pounds of pressure.
4. Stand back and admire how good the tamping station looks next to your Rocket.

What happens when you over tamp?

The water sprays through the grounds, making something weak and unpleasant-tasting. On the flipside, tamping too hard leads to the opposite happening. Water struggles to get through the puck, and because it spends more time seeping through, your espresso becomes over-extracted.

Is it possible to tamp espresso too hard?

You want to tamp down hard enough to make the coffee compact and sturdy (5). Tamping espresso too hard or unevenly isn’t just bad for your wrist – it can also cause over-extraction.

What is a corner tamping mat?

The Rhinowares Classic Corner Tamping Mat is made from durable food grade silicone rubber. Designed to protect both the bench and portafilter, with this generous size “classic square” work surface and a straight front drop, it sits neatly on the corner of the bench.

How many seconds should an espresso shot take?

The ideal brewing time you’re looking for is between 20 – 30 seconds – if you’re running too long or too short, check your grind, dose and tamp, then adjust it accordingly. If your shots are coming out unevenly from both spouts, your tamp needs to be more even.