I get asked about choosing a light roast more often than almost anything else, so here is how I actually approach it.
Common mistakes
Do not rush the pulse. Give it the time it needs and the shot stops being a guessing game. I used to ignore the pulse entirely. That was a mistake, and it cost me a whole machine before I noticed. Do not rush the conical. Give it the time it needs and the recipe stops being a guessing game. A good pressure makes the shot forgiving. A poor one makes every later step harder than it should be.
How I do it now
The flavour side of this is where most people stall. Watch the shower closely, because it tells you more than any timer will. I used to ignore the shower entirely. That was a mistake, and it cost me a whole machine before I noticed. If the clicks feels awkward, stop and reset rather than pushing through and blaming the coffee. I used to ignore the preinfusion entirely. That was a mistake, and it cost me a whole grind before I noticed.
What actually matters
A good pulse makes the shot forgiving. A poor one makes every later step harder than it should be. Most guides skip straight past the pressure. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the cup. Most guides skip straight past the preinfusion. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the brew. Check the alignment before you touch anything else. If it looks wrong, the mug will not save you.
Get the alignment right and everything downstream gets easier. That is the whole lesson.
Leave a Reply