Quick answer
Start with a 1:2 ratio and a grind slightly finer than your regular espresso, then adjust one variable at a time. Because this is a sample, keep doses small and taste every shot before changing anything.
Why decaf needs its own dial-in
Decaffeinated beans often behave differently at the grinder and in the basket, so a recipe that works for your regular espresso may not translate directly. Treat the Peru Norandino sample as its own coffee and resist the urge to chase a familiar number.
A sample size also limits how many shots you can pull. That constraint is useful: it forces you to change only one variable at a time and to record what you taste, rather than making broad adjustments after a single shot.
When to stop adjusting and just enjoy it
The goal of dialing in a sample is not a perfect recipe—it is to find a repeatable shot you would happily drink. If a shot tastes balanced and sweet, even if the time is outside your usual window, stop there and note the settings.
If the coffee turns harsh or hollow after several adjustments, step back to your last good setting. Decaf can be less forgiving of over-extraction, and a sample gives you limited room to recover.
Step-by-step dial-in for the Peru Norandino sample
- Start with a known dose and a 1:2 ratio: Weigh 18 g of coffee in and aim for 36 g out. If your basket works better with a different dose, keep the same 1:2 ratio and adjust the grind to hit your target time. Record the dose and yield before you change anything else.
- Set a grind finer than your regular espresso: Begin two to three clicks finer on a stepped grinder, or slightly finer on a stepless one. Pull one shot and note the time; if it runs faster than about 25 seconds, go finer. Make only one grind change between shots.
- Taste for balance, not just time: Look for sweetness and a smooth finish. If the shot is sour or thin, grind finer; if it is bitter or dry, grind coarser. Use the sample sparingly—two or three taste adjustments are usually enough. Stop when the shot tastes balanced, even if the time is outside your usual range.
- Check the ratio with a second shot: Once you have a grind setting you like, pull a second shot at the same dose and yield. If it tastes weaker or stronger than the first, adjust the yield by a gram or two rather than changing the grind again. Confirm the recipe with a repeat shot before you finish the sample.
About the coffee
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Decaf Espresso - Peru Norandino - Sample Only: Decaf Espresso - Peru Norandino is a decaffeinated espresso roast from the Norandino region of Peru, offered in a sample-only format. The sample format lets you test grind and ratio without committing to a full bag, while the Peruvian origin gives you a specific flavor profile to evaluate.
Decaf Espresso - Peru Norandino - Sample Only