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Professional baristas and coffee shops usually have a set of tools and accessories that they have on-hand in order to make those amazing cups of coffee. The question is, how can you bring that same level of coffee and espresso goodness into your home? Because while the coffee beans you buy are a huge factor in determining the quality of coffee you make, having the right tools on-hand can be just as important.

So if you’ve got an espresso machine sitting next to you, and you’re still thirsting for better ways to make your coffee, then sit back and relax. We’ve got you covered with these must-have espresso tools that every coffee lover should have in their homes.

1. Tampers

Tampers are a small tool that are used for packing and compacting the coffee grounds you’re about to put into the basket of your espresso machine. The main goal of tamping your coffee grounds is to be able to pack them tightly and evenly. The more tightly compressed the grounds are, the better quality of an espresso shot you’ll get.

The reason behind compacting the coffee grounds is because if they’re left loose, then water will pass right through them, leaving you with a shot that’s more water than coffee. Finding quality tamps, like a Revolution True Tamp, is a key espresso tool, then, to be able to make that perfect shot.

2. Tamping Mats

Where, in your home, is your espresso machine located? Does it sit on your desk, on the kitchen counter, on a bar or countertop in your living room? Tamping mats can be very useful if you use your tamp on something like a wooden countertop. Because tamping requires a bit of pressure on your part to make sure that the coffee grounds are packed tight, this can cause unwanted dents and damages to your table surface. Tamping mats help protect your counter surfaces from scratches and damages, making them an essential espresso tool for every home.

3. Knock Boxes

After brewing yourself a cup of coffee in your kitchen, you probably want to save yourself some time cleaning the coffee filter of coffee grounds. Traditionally, coffee filters are usually cleaned by scooping out the puck and then rinsing the remaining coffee grounds out of the filter. However, sometimes the puck tends to get stuck to the bottom of the filter. This means you’ll need to put in a little more effort to get the grounds out. Add to that the fact that because you’d just finished brewing yourself a cup, things are still quite hot.

A knock box saves you time if you want to quickly finish cleaning up. This is especially useful in coffee shops, where you have to serve multiple customers. However, it can be a joy to have in your home as well, especially if you want to already start enjoying your fresh brew. Compared to scooping out the puck and cleaning the filter, you can instead tap and knock the puck out of the portafilter using the bash bar of a knock box.

4. Steaming Pitcher

Are you someone that finds joy in having a little latte art on your cup of coffee? Maybe you want to try practicing creating your own latte art at home so that whenever you have guests over you can impress them with your skills.

This is one of the uses of milk steaming pitchers. However, it’s not enough to use just any steaming pitcher. Not picking the right one can have an impact on your latte art, leaving your efforts blurry and unrecognizable.

Some things to consider when you’re choosing a steaming pitcher are the size, the material, and the spout. Different sizes are used for different types of drinks: 6-ounce cappuccinos and 10-ounce lattes, for example, require a 12-ounce steaming pitcher.

The size of your spout, on the other hand, works pretty much like the lead of an artist’s pen or pencil. Narrow spouts are good for small and precise movements, whereas wider spouts are best used for large foam movements.

5. Espresso Shot Glasses

Lastly, if you want to be able to consistently brew a good cup of coffee each day, then one thing you need is a little uniformity. This can be achieved with an espresso shot glass. These shot glasses exist as a measurement tool for baristas, so that they can produce an exceptional cup of coffee each time, without fail. That said, having an accurate espresso shot glass in your home can help you enjoy your favorite brew over and over again, from the comfort of your own home.

Get Those Essential Espresso Tools into Your Home Today!

Being able to enjoy a good cup of coffee at home at the beginning or end of your day can be a real treat. It’s one thing to have to visit your local coffee shop and order your regular brew, but it’s a whole other thing to be able to enjoy it whenever you can, without having to leave your house. If you’re keen, then, on treating yourself to some high-end coffee from your kitchen each day, then check out our available espresso tools here on our website.