Martin Köpp

You may have notice the barista at your favourite coffee house doing it; he or she grinds the coffee and dispenses just the right amount into the portafilter (the handle with the cup on the end that receives the coffee and attaches to the espresso machine). With me so far? Good. Then what happens? The barista uses a plastic or metal device that looks a bit like an old fashioned rubber stamp and pushes it into the coffee. Or at least, they should!!!

You may have notice the barista at your favourite coffee house doing it; he or she grinds the coffee and dispenses just the right amount into the portafilter (the handle with the cup on the end that receives the coffee and attaches to the espresso machine). With me so far? Good. Then what happens? The barista uses a plastic or metal device that looks a bit like an old fashioned rubber stamp and pushes it into the coffee. Or at least, they should!!!

A short list of methods I tried: Percolator - I had a friend that served some excellent stuff made with one of these, so i bought the percolator and the exact same grind. Results were OK, but not consistent. Grinding my own beans - bought many different blends from inexpensive to gourmet, but, again, no consistency.

So why does it make any difference? It's to do with what happens when you attach the portafilter to the machine and turn it on. The water (as steam) will be forced through the layer of coffee that is sitting in the porta filter. It follows the path of least resistance; any unevenness in the layer of coffee provides a route for the steam to move through that bypasses a lot of the coffee that you have paid for and placed there so lovingly. What a waste!! By tamping you foil the steam's sneaky attempts to find an easy way through; it has no choice but to work its way through all of the coffee. This way you maximise the potential of all of the coffee that you have placed into the porta filter.

What about convenience. If you are a one or two mug a day consumer, this is the perfect brewer. Think about all the wasted or burned coffee that has gone unconsumed. If you leave your normal pot on the heat for more than an hour, the result is an unwanted, ill-tasting beverage.

Since that brewer has arrived at work, I have had consistently excellent coffee. I am totally sold. And although I am not an expert by any means, I know what I like. Here is my take on what makes this a consistent way to get your home made brew. The beans are roasted and ground and put immediately into those little one-cup containers. At that point they are sealed and are never again exposed to air and humidity again until they are pierced by the little device as the hot water is introduced to make the brew.

My theory is that the freshness and the exact same amount of grounds create a consistent outcome. So I now have a new Keurig Single Serving coffee maker sitting on the kitchen counter. I am one happy morning person these days. Just thought you would like to know.