Dark Matter Coffee · Unicorn Blood Espresso Blend

Shot 87 ran 40s at grind 37.5 — Slow, Normal ratio at 2.07. Balance 3 with quick-resolving acidity, which matches this bean's berry character. The flow pattern — bilateral start, right spout dropout at 15s, uneven through the finish — is the same channel signature you've been chasing. But the notes reveal the culprit directly: 'WDT for a few minutes.' That's the over-agitation mechanism confirmed again, and it overrode the grind lock you had in place.

Time and ratio are both within acceptable range — Slow but not critically so, Normal ratio. Balance 3 with quick-resolving acidity is consistent with what we've established as bean character on this washed Honduras/Guatemala blend, not an extraction fault. The 2-star quality rating is fair given the frustrating flow, but the taste outcome is actually reasonable. The contradiction here is that the grind was locked correctly at 37.5, yet the channel pattern returned — which points squarely at preparation, not grind.

Unicorn Blood is 25 days off roast, sitting in its peak window for a medium-dark washed blend. Freshness is not a factor. The quick-resolving acidity at balance 3 continues to read as berry character from the Honduras Copan component — not under-extraction. The bean is cooperating when prep is clean. Nine shots into this bag and the taste profile is actually converging — the puck prep discipline is the remaining variable.

The frustration is completely understandable, but the pattern is actually clear: every time WDT runs long, the channel returns. Every time it's controlled, the shot behaves. The grind is right. The 30-second cap is the entire fix.