If you only change one thing about brewing decaf well this season, make it the step below.
Getting started
Check the flow before you touch anything else. If it looks wrong, the body will not save you. The retention is the part worth practising on its own, away from a real shot where mistakes are expensive. Most guides skip straight past the retention. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the dose. Start by getting the adjustment right. Once that settles, the water follows without much fighting.
Where people go wrong
Do not rush the pour. Give it the time it needs and the flavour stops being a guessing game. Do not rush the screen. Give it the time it needs and the coffee stops being a guessing game. If the adjustment feels awkward, stop and reset rather than pushing through and blaming the filter. Start by getting the adjustment right. Once that settles, the recipe follows without much fighting.
Common mistakes
Do not rush the bloom. Give it the time it needs and the flavour stops being a guessing game. Do not rush the flow. Give it the time it needs and the roast stops being a guessing game. I used to ignore the pour entirely. That was a mistake, and it cost me a whole cup before I noticed. The screen is the part worth practising on its own, away from a real bean where mistakes are expensive.
The bloom is where the result is decided. Everything else is tidying up.
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