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Perfecting an espresso shot is a complicated art. There are so many mistakes to avoid when making espresso at home, like using the wrong type of bean or grinding your espresso beans too finely. Between the grinder, the portafilter, the tamper, and the espresso machine itself, the world of brewing espresso can feel overwhelming with gadgets and barista lingo. Once you learn the basics and gain some knowledge a perfectly pulled shot of espresso can be rewarding and satisfying. In an effort to learn if a WDT (short for Weiss Distribution Technique) tool is beneficial in the art of espresso making, we chatted with Andrea Allen, coffee expert, co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab, and 2020 U.S. Barista Champ and 2021 World Barista Runner-Up, who reveals that the tool falls in a grey area of necessity.
“A WDT tool is a small handheld tool used to distribute espresso evenly in a portafilter,” Allen explains. “It’s a small handle with metal rods that help break up clumps that might stick together.” At first glance, the tool resembles a miniature version of a spindly head and scalp massager, but the prongs are straight instead of curved. Along with its namesake tool, the Weiss Distribution Technique is used to distribute the grinds as evenly as possible in the portafilter before pressing them firmly down with a tamper tool.
While not mandatory, a WDT tool can significantly improve your espresso experience
A lot of kitchen gadgets can be useful, but is a WDT tool essential when brewing espresso? “This tool is super helpful in achieving even extraction in the espresso bed but is not necessary,” she says. “Baristas have made great coffee for many years without it, but I DO think it removes variables that can make espresso shots unpredictable.” The WDT tool helps to achieve smoother extractions by letting the water flow through the grinds more consistently, which is where a lot of home baristas struggle to pull a perfect shot. A WDT tool can also improve the taste of your espresso shot, which can sometimes taste burnt and too acidic when not pulled properly.
Personally, my husband has a habit of convincing me every few months that our already expensive espresso machine is in desperate need of a new tool or accessory. Normally I object, but after I started using the WDT tool, I did find the process of pulling an espresso shot much easier and less frustrating, not to mention much better tasting. Thankfully the tool isn’t something that will break the bank, as many can be found for under $20, like this WDT Espresso Distribution Tool. The tool’s small footprint makes it easy to store within arm’s reach of your espresso machine. If you’d rather make your own, you can fashion a WDT tool with a wine bottle cork and sewing needles.
