puchang wrote:I couldn't judge if the frame is indicative of side channeling or no because I'm not 100% sure about its definition. What do you think?

Side channeling is water taking a shortcut around the puck through a gap created by the loss of adhesion with the basket. I suspect it because of the blonding beginning "here and there" at the perimeter. Rapping the portafilter to knock down grounds can cause it, uneven distribution, or poor edge tamp. A snug fitting piston or Staub four corner tamp to press on the edges can help.

I took Regulator's advice and stretched the milk less this morning. The result was much better control and more definition on the leaves. My rosetta actually looked like a leaf for once instead of just a blob with leaves. Thanks, Regulator! I took a video of my pour, but I haven't had a chance to post it to YouTube yet.

HB wrote:Chris (Psyd) can help me with the interpretation perhaps? Seriously, no worries, I've had lots of pours like that. As you said, the pour seemed rushed / forced, and the foam was too airy for detail.

In pouring the 'Post-Dinner Fish' the technique requires that the foam be a bit fluffier than usual. Start an aggressive pour, from the near side of the cup to the far, and, with a very quick waggy motion, set the 'bones' of the fish on the return. Make sure that the swipe (the 'spine') is a bit off center to give it the proper 'belly/top-fin' ratio.
'Zat helpful?

Psyd wrote:In pouring the 'Post-Dinner Fish' the technique requires that the foam be a bit fluffier than usual. Start an aggressive pour, from the near side of the cup to the far, and, with a very quick waggy motion, set the 'bones' of the fish on the return. Make sure that the swipe (the 'spine') is a bit off center to give it the proper 'belly/top-fin' ratio.
'Zat helpful?

Damn you!



bc <---- fisherman

Psyd wrote:'Zat helpful?

I almost hurt myself laughing...

Puchang, that's some of the best latte art i've ever seen (notice i haven't posted a video of my own) but is that a dirty shower screen prior to the first pour of the day?

popeye wrote:Puchang, that's some of the best latte art i've ever seen (notice i haven't posted a video of my own) but is that a dirty shower screen prior to the first pour of the day?

Hi popeye,

Thanks and I look forward to watch your video. That was my first "latte pour" of the day. I did make several straight shots already before the latte so there were some coffee grounds attached to the screen. I usually use a clean wet towel to wipe off any coffee grounds before locking in the portafilter but didn't manage to do that when taking the video .

puchang

A submission from the severely challenge[d]:



Yes it's ok to laugh...I did!

I do not have equipment to make a video, but I thought I would share yesterday's pour. It is the first time anything recognizable has appeared in my milk:



The texture is not great, and there was not enough coffee to really mark the surface, but I was pleased with myself.

Nice heart!

Here's my latest attempt at a rosetta.



For a change, it actually kinda sorta looks like a leaf.