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5 Common Coffee Extraction Methods: What is Coffee Extraction and What Are Its Key Aspects

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee discusses what coffee extraction is. Coffee extraction involves two key aspects: what "substances are extracted (structure)" and how much "density of extracted substances (concentration)." Structure: Building coffee flavors (acidity/sweetness/bitterness) as coffee grounds encounter hot water and begin...

Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

FrontStreet Coffee Discusses: What is Coffee Extraction?

Coffee extraction involves two key aspects: what—what substances are extracted (structure) & how much—the density of the extract (concentration).

Structure: Building Coffee Flavor (Acidity/Sweetness/Bitterness)

As coffee grounds encounter hot water and extraction begins, acidic substances (fruity acidic flavors) are released first, followed by sweetness, then bitterness, and finally the unpleasant flavors of over-extraction. The irregular shape of coffee grounds means that during the extraction process, not all particles release at exactly the same rate, so there is no absolutely uniform or identical extraction structure.

Concentration: Affects Coffee Strength

Like salt water or sugar water, the composition or flavor is the same, but the amount of dissolved substances directly affects the intensity of the taste. Even if the structural composition of flavor compounds is the same, different concentrations will create different sensory experiences.

The concept of "coffee extraction" lies in the fact that the flavor presentation of "coffee extract" continuously changes with the combination of "structure" and "concentration." Therefore, through variations in powder-to-water ratio, water temperature, pouring speed, coffee grind size, and other factors, the extracted coffee can present different appearances according to the barista's intentions.

Drip Method

Paper drip is the most typical brewing method and also the one we use most frequently at home.

Usage: It's very simple—just place the filter paper on the coffee filter cone, and after brewing, discard the residue from the filter paper.

Coffee Grind: Medium grind

Drip extraction

However, to brew a cup of consistently good coffee, repeated practice is necessary. Another method is flannel drip, which, although slightly more difficult, still holds a prominent position in some coffee shops and among coffee enthusiasts.

French Press

A French press consists of a cylindrical container and a metal filter screen with a rod that can separate coffee grounds and water.

Usage: Pour ground coffee into the press, add hot water, wait a moment, then press the filter screen. The coffee filters out from the bottom of the container. The operation method is also very simple.

Coffee Grind: Coarse grind

French press extraction

Siphon Method

The appearance of siphon coffee makers is quite distinctive. When you're brewing coffee, it feels like conducting an experiment in a laboratory, creating a strong sense of ceremony.

Usage: First pour water into the spherical glass container, then heat it to boiling while placing coffee grounds in the funnel and inserting it into the glass container. When the water boils, it gets sucked up, and coffee extraction begins. After a certain amount of time, simply stop heating, and filtration occurs instantly, separating coffee liquid from powder.

Coffee Grind: Medium grind

Siphon extraction

Espresso

Espresso holds an important place in the hearts of coffee enthusiasts. High temperature and high pressure are the characteristics of espresso brewing, and many coffee lovers consider the moka pot as a home espresso machine.

Usage: Pour very finely ground coffee into the portafilter, then brew coffee using high temperature and high pressure in a short amount of time.

Coffee Grind: Very fine grind

Moka pot extraction

Coffee Machine

Because coffee machines are easier to operate, they have a wider impact than drip methods and are becoming increasingly popular. However, since coffee brewed with machines has poor flavor stability and isn't as easy to control as pour-over coffee, the quality of coffee beans used for machine brewing becomes particularly important!