Motta coffee tamper - 58 mm - stainless steel / olive wood

Why the tamp matters

Tamping is the step between dosing and brewing: the loose grounds in the portafilter are pressed into an even, level bed so the water meets the same resistance everywhere. Leave one side looser than the other and the water takes the easy route through it, which is how two shots of the same coffee end up tasting nothing alike. A tamper with real weight behind it makes that easier — the mass does the pressing and you concentrate on keeping it level.

Base and handle

The base is stainless steel and 58 mm across, the size of the filter basket on most traditional espresso machines, so it fits any 58 mm basket. Steel takes the pressure without flexing and wipes clean between shots. The handle is olive wood, turned to sit in the palm; because olive wood is a natural material the grain runs differently through every handle, so no two are identical.

Using and keeping it

Level the grounds in the basket first, then press straight down with steady pressure and lift the tamper out without rocking it. Wipe the base dry after use and keep the wooden handle out of the dishwasher — a damp cloth is all it needs.

Specifications

• Brand: Motta
• Base diameter: 58 mm
• Base material: stainless steel
• Handle material: olive wood
• Fits: filter baskets with a diameter of 58 mm