Why Does Coffee Made with the Same Beans Taste Different Depending on the Extraction Method?

The taste of coffee can vary greatly depending on the extraction method, even if the coffee beans are the same. Explore the characteristics and pros and cons of various extraction methods such as immersion, filtration, and pressure. Why not enjoy a delicious cup of coffee using the optimal method that suits your taste?

Why Does the Same Coffee Bean Taste So Different?

A cup of Americano brewed from an espresso machine every morning, a moment of coffee enjoyment that you must have even in the midst of a busy schedule – it helps you start your day energetically. From a white mocha enjoyed with a friend at a nearby cafe to a caramel macchiato shared with your loved one during a date, coffee has become an integral part of our lives.

However, one question arises: why does the same coffee bean taste so different? For instance, even if it's 'Kenya AA' beans, the taste of coffee brewed at home using a dripper and that brewed at a cafe using an espresso machine are worlds apart. In fact, the taste of coffee beans extracted with the right equipment can vary significantly.

Understanding Coffee Extraction Methods Is Key to Enjoying It

The reason for this diverse range of flavors lies in the 'extraction method'. In the movie 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty', the protagonist states, "If there are 100 coffee extraction methods, there will be 100 different tastes."

The best way to fully understand the taste of coffee beans is to try brewing them using various extraction methods. Even with the same beans, the taste changes if the ratio of Arabica and Robusta is different, and the flavor profile also differs significantly depending on the extraction method used.

Main Extraction Methods Commonly Used in Korea

The main coffee extraction methods commonly used in Korea can be categorized into three types.

● Immersion: A method where coffee beans are steeped in water (e.g., French press).

● Filtration: A method where ground coffee beans are filtered through a filter (e.g., drip, hand drip).

● Pressure: A high-temperature, high-pressure method using an espresso machine.

In particular, the pressure extraction method gained popularity with the advent of espresso machines. It's characterized by its ability to produce a rich and flavorful coffee within a short period of 25 seconds or less. However, it requires a dedicated and expensive professional machine.

Is It Possible to Extract Coffee Using Pressure Without an Espresso Machine?

So, if you don't have an espresso machine at home, is it impossible to enjoy pressure-extracted coffee? Not at all. You can use a 'Moka pot' for this purpose.

The Moka pot uses a method where water is placed in the lower boiler, coffee is added to the middle filter, and then heated to extract the coffee using steam pressure. While it doesn't generate the same high pressure as a professional machine, it produces a much richer flavor compared to drip coffee.

What's the Difference in Taste Between Immersion and Filtration Methods?

On the other hand, the immersion extraction method, literally meaning 'soaking and steeping,' is exemplified by the French press. Since it doesn't apply pressure like the Moka pot or espresso, it offers the advantage of allowing you to fully experience the natural flavor of the coffee beans.

Filtration extraction is best known as 'drip coffee'. It involves grinding coffee beans and passing them through paper or metal filters, resulting in a clear and clean taste. The body of the coffee can vary depending on the type of filter paper used.

Discovering the Best Coffee Taste Through Various Extraction Methods

As such, you can experience a variety of flavors from the same coffee beans through different extraction methods. The journey of discovering the optimal method that suits your taste is an essential experience for any coffee enthusiast.

How about taking out your French press or Moka pot tonight and savoring a unique coffee flavor at home? You might find yourself falling in love with the charm of coffee brewed using different extraction methods. Wouldn't this make your coffee experience even more special?