Have you ever faced challenges in preparing coffee with the same beans, tools, and method, but the results vary between excessive acidity or excessive bitterness in taste?
In the world of business and cafes, this problem is often not due to the quality of the beans, but rather to the coffee extraction process .
In this article from Mard , we will provide a specialized explanation that clarifies the difference between under-extraction and over-extraction, the reasons affecting it, and how the work team or cafe managers can accurately identify the source of the problem by analyzing the taste of the cup, which contributes to improving the quality of the final product and increasing customer satisfaction.
Table of Contents
What does coffee extraction mean?
Coffee extraction is the process by which soluble compounds are extracted from coffee beans using water, where factors such as temperature, grind type, and brewing time affect the final flavor quality of the coffee.
In the world of coffee shops, a thorough understanding of the extraction process enables the team to improve the customer experience by delivering coffee with a balanced and distinctive flavor, enhancing the brand's reputation and increasing customer satisfaction.
The ideal extraction achieves a balance between acidity, sweetness, and bitterness in the cup, and depends on precise control of influencing factors such as water temperature, type of coffee beans, and preparation methods used.
What factors affect coffee extraction?
The quality of coffee extraction is affected by several key factors that must be thoroughly understood to achieve the best flavor and balance in the cup. The following are the most important factors that directly influence the coffee extraction process:
1. Roasting
The roast level of coffee beans plays a crucial role in determining the speed and depth of extraction. Lightly roasted beans require a longer brewing time or a finer grind for balanced flavor extraction, while dark roasts require a shorter brewing time and a coarser grind. Therefore, the appropriate roast level should be selected based on the brewing method to achieve optimal extraction.
2. Grinding
The grind size of the coffee beans is one of the most influential factors in coffee extraction. A coarse grind results in under-extraction, making the coffee sour and weak, while a fine grind speeds up extraction but can lead to over-extraction with a bitter and heavy taste. Therefore, the grind size must be carefully adjusted according to the brewing method and the desired extraction time.
3. Time
The brewing time of coffee significantly affects the quality of the extraction. A short brewing time results in a mild, sour taste due to under-extraction, while a long brewing time leads to a bitter, heavy taste due to over-extraction. Therefore, brewing time should be controlled to achieve a balance between acidity and bitterness in the cup.
Types of extraction:
Incomplete extraction
Incomplete extraction occurs when coffee does not get enough time or the right conditions to fully extract the essential compounds and flavors.
The sensory characteristics of coffee taste in this case:
pronounced and excessive acidity
- Light and watery texture
- A taste that disappears quickly after tasting
Common causes of incomplete extraction:
Grind the grains very coarsely
- Very short preparation period
- Water passes through the coffee at high speed
- Using lightly roasted grains with an unsuitable preparation recipe
The scientific explanation of what is happening:
In this case, the easily soluble acids and compounds are extracted first, resulting in a more acidic taste, while the sugars and compounds responsible for sweetness and full flavor depth are not extracted. This leads to an unbalanced cup of coffee that lacks the sweetness and mild bitterness needed to create a distinctive flavor profile.
Over-extraction
Over-extraction occurs when too many compounds are extracted during the coffee extraction process , as a result of unbalanced preparation conditions that affect the quality of the final flavor.
The sensory characteristics of coffee taste in this case:
bitter and strong taste
dry mouth sensation
Undesirable flavors such as a burning or woody taste
The main reasons for over-extraction:
-
Grind the grain very finely
long preparation period
excessively high water temperature
Use dark roasted beans with a robust preparation recipe.
What actually happens during over-extraction:
After the acidity and sweetness that give coffee its balance are extracted, the bitter compounds begin to appear clearly, resulting in an unbalanced taste that negatively affects the quality of the drink.
The effect of other factors on over-extraction:
Temperature: Increasing the water temperature speeds up the extraction process, which increases bitterness and reduces acidity in the coffee.
Preparation method: Preparation methods vary in extraction speed, which directly affects the balance of coffee flavors.
Choosing coffee beans: The type of beans and their degree of roasting determine how easy or difficult it is to extract the different compounds, which affects the final taste.
Therefore, it is essential to adjust coffee extraction methods so that the temperature, brewing time, and grind level are balanced to achieve a pleasant and complete coffee drinking experience.
Coffee quality can be improved by choosing suitable beans, adjusting the water temperature, and choosing a brewing method that ensures a balanced extraction, giving you a cup of coffee that has acidity, sweetness, and bitterness in a consistent and ideal way.
What is the ideal balanced taste and how do we achieve it?
A balanced taste in coffee is the goal of every coffee lover, meaning achieving a delicate balance between acidity, sweetness, and bitterness in a cup of coffee. A balanced cup of coffee is characterized by:
A smooth and pleasant acidity
Clear and consistent sweetness
A slight bitterness that complements the flavors without overpowering them
Comfortable and harmonious texture in the mouth
This balance makes the coffee drinking experience enjoyable and relaxing, encouraging you to savor every sip to the very end.
Steps to achieve balanced coffee extraction
1. Choosing the right coffee beans
Start by choosing coffee beans that suit your taste, taking into account the appropriate roasting level for the brewing method you use, as the roasting level greatly affects the acidity and bitterness in the cup.
2. Fix the base factors and move only one factor.
To maintain optimal coffee extraction quality, keep the bean type, water quantity, and brewing method constant, then adjust only one factor at a time, such as grind size or brewing time. This helps you better understand the effect of each adjustment on the flavor.
3. Conscious tasting and continuous monitoring
Taste the coffee with focus and attention, and ask yourself questions such as:
Is the taste too acidic?
Does the taste taste bitter or heavy?
Is the texture light or comfortable?
Based on your answers, adjust the grind setting, preparation time, or water temperature to achieve the desired balance.
4. Water temperature control
The ideal water temperature for coffee extraction is between 91 and 96 degrees Celsius. Maintaining this temperature ensures a balanced extraction between acidity and bitterness, preventing excessive acidity or strong bitterness.
5. Use appropriate preparation methods
You can choose a brewing method that helps you achieve the perfect coffee extraction, as brewing methods vary in extraction speed and their effect on flavor. Experiment with different methods to find the one that suits you best.
By following these steps, you can achieve a balanced cup of coffee that preserves the flavors and provides a pleasant and distinctive drinking experience. Proper coffee extraction is the secret to serving great-tasting coffee that satisfies your palate and enhances the overall quality of your coffee.
Under-extraction or over-extraction is not just a mix-up or a mistake, but a message from the cup itself.
When you understand these messages, you will be able to adjust your coffee with ease.
With every small adjustment you make, you get closer to preparing a balanced cup that best reflects the quality of your coffee.
From Mard, we bring you our curated selection of the finest roasted and ground coffee beans. We offer the best roasts and the finest grinds, so all you need to do is adjust your brewing method to create the perfect cup of coffee to suit your taste. Browse our collections now and choose the coffee that suits you best for an exceptional experience every time.
