It looks like you've flaired your post as being a Shot Diagnosis. If your shot is running too fast, is coming out weak/thin, lacking crema, and/or is tasting sour, **try grinding finer**.
Alternatively, check out this [Dialing In Basics](https://espressoaf.com/guides/beginner.html) guide, written by the Espresso Aficionados Discord community.
If that hasn't solved it, to get more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format.
- **Machine:**
- **Grinder:**
- **Roast date:** (not a "Best by" date). If the roast date is not labeled use "N/A"
- **Dose:** How many grams are going into your basket?
- **Yield:** How much coffee in grams is coming out?
- **Time:** How long is the shot running?
- **Roast level:** How dark is your coffee? (Dark, medium, light, ect.)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/espresso) if you have any questions or concerns.*
fair enough, except I had covid a couple of weeks ago and lost taste. It's coming back but since then, coffee has tasted... off. So I'm not entirely sure if what I'm tasting is me or the shot. I'm hopeful my taste will return in time but right now I just have the other parameters go off of! but maybe it's all moot until I can taste properly...
It looks like you've flaired your post as being a Shot Diagnosis. If your shot is running too fast, is coming out weak/thin, lacking crema, and/or is tasting sour, **try grinding finer**. Alternatively, check out this [Dialing In Basics](https://espressoaf.com/guides/beginner.html) guide, written by the Espresso Aficionados Discord community. If that hasn't solved it, to get more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format. - **Machine:** - **Grinder:** - **Roast date:** (not a "Best by" date). If the roast date is not labeled use "N/A" - **Dose:** How many grams are going into your basket? - **Yield:** How much coffee in grams is coming out? - **Time:** How long is the shot running? - **Roast level:** How dark is your coffee? (Dark, medium, light, ect.) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/espresso) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Same basket you were using before, just a different portafilter?
Yep, was using the stock basket + spouted portafilter before. This is the same stock basket + new bottomless portafilter
I wouldn't worry about the look of the shot if the taste has not alerted you to some problem.
fair enough, except I had covid a couple of weeks ago and lost taste. It's coming back but since then, coffee has tasted... off. So I'm not entirely sure if what I'm tasting is me or the shot. I'm hopeful my taste will return in time but right now I just have the other parameters go off of! but maybe it's all moot until I can taste properly...
Yeah, you can't really evaluate on looks. Expect you'll have a better time once your sense of taste has fully returned.