The ESPRO tamper

(A product review)

There are a number of variables that go into the pulling of a good shot of espresso. One of those variables would be the pressure used when tamping the grounds in the portafilter. If you have tried to find a good shot of espresso here in the Palm Springs of Washington, you are quite aware that Yakima is a coffee wasteland where baristas are untrained and usually know very little about any of the aspects involved in espresso making. Most have no idea of the importance of an even, consistant tamp at the proper amount of pressure.
The ESPRO tamper, a device I came across in an arcticle in coffeegeek.com, (http://coffeegeek.com/opinions/markprince/12-18-2006) is a tamper that gives a subtle click when 30 lbs. of pressure is reached. With an even and consistant tamp at the right amount of pressure it is, in turn, more viable to adjust the grinder for a shot that pulls for the correct amount of time, and that is, as Martha Stewart would say...a good thing. The sad truth is most "baristas" in this area have absolutely no concept of proper technique or what is needed in order to keep quality from bean to cup so the ESPRO grinder is, of course, not going to magically solve the problem of no training, poor training, or coffee shop owners who wouldn't know a well pulled shot of espresso from a twice warmed up cup of Folgers Crystals.
My piont being, anything that helps point down the road of quality and consistancy is a plus and the ESPRO tamper is one more step down that long road especially if the barista is still learning proper technique or just having trouble figuring out how to keep their tamp at 30 lbs. all day long.
I would definately recommend checking out their web site to find out more about this tamper at www.espro.ca

Espro Inc.
169-3495 Cambie Street
Vancouver BC, Canada
V5Z 4R3

info@espro.ca