Metric · Ethiopia Yaye

Clean result at grind 34 — 27s Normal time, 2.09 Normal ratio, balance 4. Flow was bilateral from the start with some alternating fast dripping mid-shot, and the brightness resolved quickly on the palate. Shot hit your Espresso target. This is what dialed-in looks like on this bean.

Time (27s) and ratio (2.09) both sit in Normal range. Balance 4 matches the even bilateral flow and quick-resolving brightness you noted — that's the light honey process expressing cleanly, not an extraction flag. The alternating fast-drip moments on both sides in the first half read as natural puck settling under preinfusion, not channeling. Numbers and notes are consistent.

Cranberry and baking spice brightness fits the quick-resolving acidity you tasted — that's this bean doing its job. At 18 days post-roast on a light honey process, you're solidly in the peak window. No freshness concerns.

Shot 1 on this bean choked at grind 26 for a full 60 seconds. Two sessions later you're pulling balanced shots at grind 34 with clean bilateral flow — the jump from recognizing light roast density and moving coarse paid off immediately.