Hey there, fellow coffee enthusiast! Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about the magic behind creating that perfect cup of coffee? We all have our unique paths into the enchanting world of coffee brewing, filled with twists, turns, and, of course, caffeine-fueled adventures. In this blog post, I’m thrilled to take you on a thrilling journey through my life as a barista, Rasam, and spill the beans on the pivotal role that tamping played in my quest for the perfect brew.
A Coffee Addict’s Beginnings
So, it all started when I was studying abroad with an empty wallet. Just like you, I was head over heels in love with my daily dose of coffee, often making pit stops at coffee meccas like Starbucks, Costa, and Nero. But how did this seemingly ordinary habit transform me into a full-fledged barista? Well, it turned out to be my golden ticket to enjoy my caffeine fix for free or at a discount – an absolute lifesaver to help me stay focused on my studies.
Flashback to the early 2010s, when the specialty coffee wave was just a ripple in the vast sea of caffeine. I genuinely believed those 15 seconds of extraction were worthy of an Instagram post. I cherished every moment serving my customers, even though, looking back, the coffee quality might not have been as celestial as I once thought.
Fast forward to my return to Iran and the grand opening of my very own coffee shop. Reality struck like a thunderbolt when I crossed paths with a salesman from a rival coffee roaster. He didn’t mince words, brutally critiquing my coffee-making skills and even delivering the unforgettable line, “You are not worthy of my beans.” Ouch! That unapologetic critique served as my wake-up call, propelling me into the world of specialty coffee, determined to do better.
My journey led me to an unexpected hiatus from my coffee shop as I temporarily joined the ranks of a junior barista at a renowned coffee haven in Tehran. It was here that I took my first sip of specialty coffee – the Kenya AA roasted by Ditta Artiginalle. Trust me, it was a revelation! Suddenly, I had no cravings for vanilla syrup in my americano, as I had discovered the pure essence of coffee.
The Quest for Consistency
This coffee odyssey wasn’t just about passion; it was about nailing consistency. I became the head barista and swiftly mastered the intricacies of temperature and pressure profiling. And right at the heart of this journey was the art of tamping, a revelation of its own.
Let’s talk tamping! Tamping isn’t just a mundane act; it’s a crucial component in achieving consistent results. Think of it as the secret handshake between the coffee grounds and water. My experimentation revealed that inconsistent tamping leads to unpredictable results. I also dived into the quirks of distribution tools and sang praises for the Weiss Distribution Technique (WDT). As a fun experiment, I recommend preparing two Portas, using a distribution tool on only one before tamping, and then savoring the results to experience the difference.
The PuqPress Revolution
And then came 2021, the year I crossed paths with the PuqPress Q2, a bona fide game-changer in my coffee-making journey. This precision tool became my trusty sidekick, allowing me to customize the flavor of my espresso at the flick of a switch, all without needing to fiddle with the grind size. I even took this delightful gadget to the stage of the 2022 Oman Barista Championship, where it not only streamlined my routine but also gave me an extra dose of confidence, helping me consistently produce remarkable espresso, and as the result, I became the first ever Barista Champion of Oman.
Now, I’m not just a barista; I’m a fervent advocate and ambassador for the PuqPress. I’m not shy about recommending it to fellow baristas, cafe owners, and coffee professionals. The benefits of consistent tamping and the relief it offers from wrist strain and unpredictable shots are worth shouting from the coffee shop rooftops. It’s a must-have tool for coffee shops, offices, and even your cozy home setup, making a substantial impact on your workflow and the quality of your coffee.
In a nutshell, “Tamping with Rasam” is a tale of a coffee addict turned barista who stumbled upon the elixir of specialty coffee. My journey highlights the importance of precision and consistency in coffee-making, with tamping emerging as a star player in this flavorful saga. Thanks to the introduction of the PuqPress tamper, my coffee-making experience has transformed into a thrilling and efficient adventure. So, the next time you savor that perfect cup of coffee, remember that precision and consistency in tamping are the keys to that delightful brew. Buckle up and enjoy your coffee adventures!
