What is a Coffee Tamper for?

A coffee tamper is used to compress ground coffee evenly into the portafilter before brewing espresso.

A level, consistent tamp helps create an even coffee puck, reducing the chance of water finding weak spots during extraction (known as channelling).

While technique matters more than expensive equipment, a well-made tamper is more comfortable to use and can make it easier to achieve a consistent result every time.

Home Coffee Lab Tip

Aim for a level tamp rather than worrying about how hard you press. Consistency is more important than force.