Perfect your espresso with the right tools

More and more of you are equipping your homes to make your own coffee. In recent years, we've seen an increase in sales of espresso machines and home coffee grinders. People are increasingly curious to learn about coffee and its techniques, so they can replicate what their local baristas are able to do.
Besides the grinder and the machine itself, there are increasingly more accessories available on the market to meet the growing demand from self-taught baristas. Are these technical tools absolutely necessary to make perfect espressos? Actually, no, but they are still interesting gadgets to know about and can optimize your technique. Here are a few items to discover:

1- The anti-drop coffee funnel (or ring) for filter holder

The funnel helps minimize coffee waste and keep your countertop clean. It's practical because it's magnetic, ensuring it stays securely in place on your portafilter while grinding. When purchasing, make sure you choose the correct diameter for your portafilter. The standard sizes are often 58 mm or 54 mm.

2- The WDT distribution tool

It's not essential, but very handy for evenly separating all the coffee grounds in your portafilter. The small, fine needles will break up any clumps of grounds to prevent uneven extraction.

3- The grind distributor / equalizer

The distributor, or equalizer, as you might have guessed, is used to evenly distribute the ground coffee in the portafilter. Unlike the WDT (Warm Down Test), which evens out the texture deeper within the portafilter, the distributor's main purpose is to create a straight line, thus a nice, level, and smooth base, before applying the final pressure to the coffee. Again, the diameter of your distributor must match that of your portafilter.

4- The coffee tamper

A coffee tamper is essential, as it's the tool that allows you to apply pressure to your coffee to extract a quality espresso. The standard is to apply a vertical pressure of about 30 pounds, which represents a natural weight transfer. Some tampers have a spring mechanism. These are usually a bit more expensive, but very practical if you want to ensure consistent pressure for every espresso, regardless of who's making it. Pay attention to the diameter of the tool, which is always important.

5- The coffee scale with timer

It's not absolutely essential, especially if you have a grinder with adjustable grinding time. However, a scale remains a very practical tool for ensuring the correct weight of your grounds in your portafilter, guaranteeing consistently excellent extractions. It's indispensable for calibrating your grinder and for measuring the weight of your coffee extractions as well.

6- The graduated measuring cup

Again, it's not essential, but a clear glass is useful for measuring your espressos and also for checking the quality of your extraction. You want to see a nice, persistent crema on top.

7- The analog or digital thermometer

A thermometer isn't essential, as you can use your hand to feel the desired temperature for the milk. However, it does provide stability and can serve as a guide if you don't have a baseline temperature for your first milk preparations. The ideal temperature for a latte is around 65 degrees Celsius, and for a cappuccino, around 55 degrees Celsius.

8- The coffee grounds container

A grounds container is essential if you're tired of constantly having to go to the trash can or compost bin after every brew to empty your portafilter. They come in various sizes and materials. If space allows, choose a larger one so you don't have to empty it as often.

9- The rubber pressing mat

A rubber mat is a good investment if you want to avoid scratching or damaging your kitchen countertop over time. Metal tools and the filter holder can damage certain surfaces such as wood, melamine, etc.

SARAH-EVE ,
Expert barista, trainer & blogger. Meet Sarah-Ève every day of the week at our Limoilou location!

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