If shots are pulling too quickly, make them ____________?

• A. Coarser
• B. Finer
• C. Lighter
• D. Larger grind

Answer: (B)

Grind size controls how much resistance the water meets as it passes through the coffee. If shots pull too quickly, the bed isn’t offering enough resistance, so water rushes through and you under-extract. Grinding finer increases surface area and packing density, which slows the flow and allows more time for flavors to develop, giving a more balanced shot. A coarser grind would do the opposite and speed up extraction, making the shot weaker or under-extracted. The option about roast level doesn’t directly fix the flow rate, and “larger grind” is just another way to say coarser, which wouldn’t help in this case.