Is tamping the only thing to consider when making good coffee?
Correct tamping is important for consistent coffee, but it’s not the only variable. Other areas of importance are: • fresh beans • there’s no substitute. Buy beans from a good coffee retailer who only sells fresh beans and consistent blends (for example, Coffee for Connoisseurs or Coffee for Connoisseurs) • fresh water • use filtered water if possible, which won’t add any unpleasant flavours to your coffee • the right temperature water and equipment • if you assemble the portafilter and filter basket to the group and allow it to all warm up together, then pump some water through the machine before adding the coffee, the temperature will be as stable as it can be. In general, cheaper aluminium thermoblock machines will have difficulty maintaining constant temperatures and producing consistent results compared to more expensive machines with steel or brass groups and boilers • correct level of extraction (how long you run the water for) • avoid running the pump longer than necessary, as
