Hello All,
Im new to the Dark Arts revealed in this site, so I apologise in advance if this seems a silly question. :
I thought Tampers were just a way of leveling out and squashing down the coffee (I assumed this was to get rid of any air pockets and even up the density). We use a piece of hardwood turned by my husband to fit the basket, and just use an intuitive firm pressure.
However, in reading this site I have realised that tampers are taken very seriously indeed (possibly second only to grinders) and that people are prepared to spend what seems a large amount for a very simple tool.
Could someone please explain the whys & wherefores of Tamper theory? How/why do different Tampers change the coffee? And what should I look for when choosing one?
Cheers - Carrie
Im new to the Dark Arts revealed in this site, so I apologise in advance if this seems a silly question. :

I thought Tampers were just a way of leveling out and squashing down the coffee (I assumed this was to get rid of any air pockets and even up the density). We use a piece of hardwood turned by my husband to fit the basket, and just use an intuitive firm pressure.
However, in reading this site I have realised that tampers are taken very seriously indeed (possibly second only to grinders) and that people are prepared to spend what seems a large amount for a very simple tool.
Could someone please explain the whys & wherefores of Tamper theory? How/why do different Tampers change the coffee? And what should I look for when choosing one?
Cheers - Carrie

(we DO take care though, and make it as even as humanly possible) :

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