In the context of brewing, what does dosing refer to?

Dosing in the context of brewing specifically refers to the amount of ground coffee used in the portafilter. This measurement is crucial because the quantity of coffee significantly influences the strength and flavor profile of the final brewed beverage.

When preparing espresso, for instance, the right dose ensures that there is a proper balance between the coffee and water, which is essential for achieving the desired extraction. If too little coffee is used, it may lead to a weak and under-extracted shot, while too much can result in over-extraction, yielding a bitter taste.

Thus, understanding and accurately measuring the dose is fundamental for baristas to produce consistently high-quality coffee drinks. Given the importance of this aspect of brewing, the other choices do not accurately reflect the definition of dosing. The techniques mentioned in the other options, such as grinding coffee, water volume, and timing, play significant roles in brewing but do not pertain to the specific concept of dosing.