Olympia Express Tamping Mat for Cremina

Olympia Express Tamping Mat for Cremina – Swiss Silicone Pad, Made in Switzerland

You place the portafilter on the mat, the ground coffee is distributed, you place the tamper on top and press down – and nothing slips, nothing scratches, nothing vibrates on your wooden counter. A good tamping mat is one of those small tools that have a greater impact in everyday life than their price suggests. It is the connection between the table and the tamper pressure, and its job is seemingly trivial: to not be in the way.

What makes this mat special

Protects counter and portafilter

Tamping creates constant downward pressure, often on delicate surfaces – wooden counters, stone slabs, glass surfaces. The silicone mat absorbs this pressure without leaving marks. At the same time, it protects the rim of the portafilter, which would otherwise rest directly on wood or stone.

Non-slip and stable

Silicone has the advantage of creating grip even on smooth surfaces, without sticking. You can lay the mat down, it stays put. You can place the portafilter in it, it won't tip over. You can tamp without anything slipping.

Swiss Manufacture

Like the Cremina itself, this mat comes from Schwanden in the canton of Glarus. Typically Olympia: no logos, no superfluous designs, just a tool that does its job.

At a glance

Two ways to a tamping mat – an honest comparison

Affordable and solid: Normcore

The Normcore Tamping Mat has been the affordable classic for years. Silicone, non-slip, well-made – it does its job. For anyone who simply wants a functional tamping mat, without the Swiss manufacturing surcharge.

Swiss Original: Olympia Express

This mat here. Slightly higher quality craftsmanship, from the same Swiss manufacturer as your Cremina. For anyone who wants the entire setup to be seamless – machine, tamper, mat, all from Schwanden.

Our opinion: Both work. The Olympia mat is a bit more premium, the Normcore mat is a bit cheaper. For 90% of all Cremina owners, it's a matter of aesthetics, not function.

Who this mat is for

For anyone who wants to protect their counter and values a coordinated Swiss setup. Anyone who regularly tamps with the Cremina (or another home espresso machine) and doesn't want to think about scratches on the work surface every time will benefit from a good tamping mat. It is one of the cheapest tools in the setup with the highest everyday utility.

Accessories that fit the Cremina setup

The original tamper for Cremina (49 mm red or black) from the Olympia Express Collection. Affordable tamper with spring calibration from the Normcore Collection, premium from the Weber Workshops Collection. For puck distribution: the Olympia Puck Prep Tool 49 mm or a Normcore WDT Tool. For grind quality: grinders from our Grinder Collection.

Frequently asked questions

Does the mat only fit the Cremina?

No, it has Cremina in its name because it comes from Olympia's Cremina accessory range. In fact, the mat fits all common portafilters – 49 mm, 54 mm, 58 mm and larger – because it serves as a table and pressure pad, not as a portafilter adapter.

How do I clean the tamping mat?

Washing under warm water is usually sufficient. With intensive use, it can also go in the dishwasher – silicone is heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe.

What is the difference to the Normcore tamping mat?

Functionally very similar. The Olympia mat is slightly higher quality and comes from Swiss manufacturing, the Normcore mat is slightly cheaper and from Asian production. For most home setups, both are perfectly adequate – this is more a question of aesthetics than function.

Where can I buy the tamping mat or see it live?

Online via coffeecoachingclub.ch with delivery in 2–4 working days to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. On-site in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44, 3011 Bern) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b, 8050 Zurich). Click and Collect possible.

Roastery Tip