Olympia Express Tamper 49mm Red – Original Tamper for Cremina, Made in Switzerland
You pick it up, and the balance feels just right. The red lacquered wooden handle warms pleasantly in your hand, the stainless steel base sits heavy and stable between your thumb and forefinger. You place it on the freshly dosed puck in your 49mm Cremina basket, press down evenly – and you realize why the Olympia logo is on every tamper that leaves the manufactory in Schwanden: someone has thought about every detail here.
What Makes This Tamper Special
Original dimensions for Cremina and Cremina SL
Ø 49 mm – the exact size of Olympia-Cremina baskets. The tamper sits cleanly in the basket, without tilting, without play at the edges. The base has a special shape for even pressure distribution across the entire puck. Anyone who has ever tamped with an ill-fitting tamper knows: these 0.5 millimeters of difference decide whether the espresso channels or not.
Lacquered handle, Swiss attention to detail
The handle in Olympia-Red is lacquered and feels warm in the hand. Printed Olympia logo. Stainless steel base with special pressing surface. Like everything from Schwanden, it is designed for longevity, not as a seasonal product.
At a Glance
| Base Diameter |
49 mm |
| Base Material |
Stainless steel, special pressing surface |
| Handle Material |
Wood, red lacquered |
| Logo |
Olympia Express printed |
| Compatibility |
Olympia Express Cremina and Cremina SL (49mm baskets) |
| Origin |
Schwanden, Canton Glarus, Switzerland |
Three Ways to the Tamper – Honestly Compared
We offer three sensible options for 49mm tampers, and none is objectively better than the other – they address different needs.
Affordable and precise: Normcore
If you want a spring mechanism for reproducible pressure without a premium price: the Normcore Spring-Loaded Tamper has been the classic in the affordable range for years. Stable construction, multiple pressure settings adjustable, significantly cheaper than the premium alternatives.
Swiss Original: Olympia Express
This tamper here. Made for the Cremina, by the machine's manufacturer. Logo, optics, dimensions fit perfectly. No spring mechanism – you apply the pressure yourself. For many Cremina owners, this is exactly right: a lever setup is craftsmanship, and a tamper with a spring almost feels inconsistent.
Premium Level: Weber Workshops
If you want the endgame – unibody construction from a single piece, numerous base profiles to choose from, calibration function: the Weber Workshops Tamper family is what many professionals worldwide use. Significantly more expensive, but without compromise.
Who This Olympia Tamper Is Made For
For everyone who has a Cremina or Cremina SL and wants a tamper that matches the machine setup – aesthetically and in terms of size. If you prefer a simpler and cheaper version from the manufacturer, check out the tamper black with logo (49 mm). Our opinion: The original Olympia tamper is the most honest choice for a Cremina – it is made for exactly this machine. Others see it differently.
Accessories That Match the Cremina Setup
A tamping mat protects counter and portafilter – affordable and solid from the Normcore Collection. For reproducible puck distribution before tamping: the Olympia original Puck Prep Tool in 49 mm (Swiss manufacture), cheaper a Normcore WDT-Tool, premium endgame the Moonraker from the Weber Workshops Collection. Machine itself: Olympia Express Collection. Consultation tool: Coffee Machine Comparison and Consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Olympia Express Tamper 49 mm Red
Does the 49mm tamper fit other machines?
The 49mm tamper fits all portafilters with 49mm baskets – this is the Olympia standard size for the Cremina, Cremina SL, and some older generation Italian lever and semi-automatic machines. For the Maximatic (54 mm), there is a separate version with a 54mm base. For the Mina (separate size), there is its own mini tamper.
What is the difference between the red and black Olympia tampers?
The red tamper has a higher quality finish: red lacquered wooden handle, more precise pressing surface, feels heavier in the hand. The black tamper is the simpler everyday version at a lower price. Both have the same 49mm size and fit the Cremina.
What is the difference between an Olympia, Normcore, or Weber Workshops tamper?
Olympia is the original tamper from the machine manufacturer – precisely fitting and aesthetically consistent with the Cremina. Normcore offers tampers with spring calibration in the affordable range, which allows for reproducible pressure. Weber Workshops operates in the premium segment with unibody constructions and maximum craftsmanship. Which path is right is a matter of taste – all three are legitimate.
How do you tamp correctly on a Cremina?
Place the basket on the tamping mat, distribute the ground coffee evenly (Puck Prep Tool or WDT-Tool helps), place the tamper vertically, press down with even pressure until resistance is felt. The pressure itself is less important than the evenness – the main thing is that the puck is level and dense at the bottom. Our opinion is one of many.
Where can I buy or see the Olympia Tamper live?
Online via coffeecoachingclub.ch with delivery to Switzerland and Liechtenstein in 2–4 business days. Discover it in person at our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44, 3011 Bern) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b, 8050 Zurich). Click and Collect is possible at both locations.
Roastery Tip from Our Coffee Roastery
The original Olympia Tamper is one of those small investments that makes more of a difference in everyday life than its price would suggest. We use it ourselves – not because it's "the best" tamper on the market, but because it belongs to the Cremina like the logo belongs to the boiler. If you're adventurous and want to try reproducible spring pressure, you can just as easily start with Normcore, and if you want the absolute premium, go for Weber. Three paths, all viable. For the bean, we recommend the Cozy Chocolate for starting in the Cremina world – medium roast, dense, chocolaty. This makes the tamping routine relaxed: press evenly, tap, portafilter into the machine, pull the lever.
