TIL I was tamping my espresso totally wrong for 3 years

I used to just press down hard and call it good. Then last month a barista at a shop in Portland watched me do it and said I was compacting the grounds uneven. She showed me to keep my wrist straight and use the same pressure every time. Now my shots don't channel and taste way smoother. Has anyone else had a basic technique they realized they were messing up for years?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamie_white4d ago

Tbh that barista probably knew you were ruining your shots before you even handed her the portafilter.

adamgreen6d ago

Portland barista? Man, I've never been read that hard in my life.

terry_carter156d ago

Went to a coffee shop in Salt Lake once and the barista called me out for ordering a latte wrong.