Which of the following is NOT one of the four fundamentals of brewing coffee?

The four fundamentals of brewing coffee are water, temperature, grind, and freshness. Focusing on these fundamentals is essential for creating a high-quality cup of coffee.

Water is crucial because it makes up the majority of the beverage, and its composition can significantly influence the extraction of flavors from the coffee grounds. The temperature of the water affects the extraction process; using water that is too hot can lead to over-extraction, while water that is too cold can result in under-extraction.

Grind size is another fundamental aspect because it impacts how quickly water extracts flavors from the coffee. A finer grind exposes more surface area to the water, leading to faster extraction, while a coarser grind slows down the process.

Freshness refers to the quality and age of the coffee beans themselves. The best flavors are captured when coffee is brewed from freshly roasted and ground beans, as stale coffee loses its aroma and taste.

Since each of the options except one directly relates to these four fundamentals of brewing coffee, the correct answer highlights the absence of temperature as one of those elements.