Infusion vs. Extract — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 14, 2024
Infusion involves steeping substances in liquid to impart flavor, common in teas and herbal remedies, while an extract is a concentrated form of a substance's flavor or essence, often used in cooking and perfumery.
Difference Between Infusion and Extract
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Infusion is a process where substances like tea leaves, herbs, or spices are steeped in a liquid, usually hot water, to imbue the liquid with the substances' flavors, aromas, or medicinal properties. This technique is widely used in making teas, herbal remedies, and flavored oils. Extract, on the other hand, involves isolating a specific compound or flavor from a substance, often using solvents like alcohol, water, or oil. This process results in a highly concentrated form of the substance's essence, which can be used in small quantities to impart flavor or aroma.
While both infusion and extract involve drawing out flavors or properties from substances, the methods and outcomes differ. Infusion typically yields a less concentrated, more subtly flavored liquid, whereas extracts are potent and used in smaller quantities. This distinction is crucial in culinary and medicinal applications, where the desired flavor intensity and ingredient potency vary.
Infusions are generally easier to prepare and require fewer specialized tools than extracts. Making an infusion can be as simple as pouring hot water over tea leaves or herbs and allowing them to steep. Extracts, however, often require more time and involve processes like distillation or evaporation to concentrate the essence of the substance.
The choice between infusion and extract depends on the desired result. Infusions are ideal for creating beverages or subtly flavored liquids, while extracts are better suited for adding intense flavors or aromas to food, beverages, and other products without altering their liquid content significantly.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Steeping substances in liquid to impart flavor or properties.
Concentrated form of a substance's essence.
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Typical Uses
Teas, herbal remedies, flavored oils.
Cooking, perfumery, medicinal applications.
Concentration
Generally less concentrated.
Highly concentrated.
Preparation
Simple, requires basic tools.
May require specialized processes.
Flavor/Aroma
Subtle, directly tied to the steeping time and temperature.
Intense, can be used in small quantities.
Compare with Definitions
Infusion
A process of soaking substances in liquid to extract flavors or healing properties.
Infusing lavender in oil creates a soothing aromatic blend.
Extract
A concentrated solution made by extracting a part of a raw material.
Vanilla extract is created by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol to capture their essence.
Infusion
The duration of infusion impacts the intensity of the flavor.
Infusing spices in hot water for longer periods results in a stronger and more robust tea.
Extract
Often involves solvents like alcohol or oil for extraction.
Lemon oil extract is produced by pressing the oil from lemon rinds.
Infusion
The gentle method of releasing flavors and aromas into liquids.
Infusing green tea leaves in hot water produces a delicate and healthy beverage.
Extract
Essential in creating flavorings for culinary and cosmetic applications.
Peppermint extract is popular in both toothpaste and chocolate recipes for its refreshing taste.
Infusion
Often used in creating herbal teas and flavored waters.
Infusing mint leaves in water gives a refreshing and invigorating drink.
Extract
The quality and type of extract can vary widely based on the source material and extraction method.
Pure vanilla extract offers a richer, more authentic flavor than synthetic versions.
Infusion
Can be done with hot or cold liquids, depending on the desired outcome.
Cold-infusing cucumber in water overnight offers a subtly flavored, refreshing beverage.
Extract
Used to impart strong flavors or aromas with a small amount.
A few drops of lemon extract can add a vibrant citrus flavor to baked goods.
Infusion
Infusion is the process of extracting chemical compounds or flavors from plant material in a solvent such as water, oil or alcohol, by allowing the material to remain suspended in the solvent over time (a process often called steeping). An infusion is also the name for the resultant liquid.
Extract
An extract is a substance made by extracting a part of a raw material, often by using a solvent such as ethanol, oil or water. Extracts may be sold as tinctures, absolutes or in powder form.
Infusion
The act or process of infusing.
Extract
Remove or take out, especially by effort or force
The fossils are extracted from the chalk
Infusion
Something infused or introduced
An economy in need of regular capital infusions.
Extract
Calculate (a root of a number)
Early computers had an instruction to extract a square root
Infusion
The liquid product obtained by infusing
Prepared an infusion of medicinal herbs.
Extract
A short passage taken from a text, film, or piece of music
An extract from a historical film
Infusion
Introduction of a solution into the body through a vein for therapeutic purposes.
Extract
A preparation containing the active ingredient of a substance in concentrated form
Natural plant extracts
A shampoo with extract of camomile
Infusion
The solution so introduced
A sucrose infusion.
Extract
To draw or pull out, often with great force or effort
Extract a wisdom tooth.
Used tweezers to extract the splinter.
Infusion
A product consisting of a liquid which has had other ingredients steeped in it to extract useful qualities.
An extract of rooibos and chamomile makes a refreshing infusion.
Extract
To obtain despite resistance
Extract a promise.
Infusion
The act of steeping or soaking a substance in liquid so as to extract medicinal or herbal qualities.
Extract
To obtain from a substance by chemical or mechanical action, as by pressure, distillation, or evaporation.
Infusion
The act of installing a quality into a person.
Extract
To remove for separate consideration or publication; excerpt.
Infusion
(obsolete) The act of dipping into a fluid.
Extract
To derive or obtain (information, for example) from a source.
Infusion
(medicine) The administration of liquid substances directly into a vein for medical purposes; perfusion.
Extract
To deduce (a principle or doctrine); construe (a meaning).
Infusion
The act of infusing, pouring in, or instilling; instillation; as, the infusion of good principles into the mind; the infusion of ardor or zeal.
Our language has received innumerable elegancies and improvements from that infusion of Hebraisms.
Extract
To derive (pleasure or comfort) from an experience.
Infusion
That which is infused; suggestion; inspiration.
His folly and his wisdom are of his own growth, not the echo or infusion of other men.
Extract
(Mathematics) To determine or calculate (the root of a number).
Infusion
The act of plunging or dipping into a fluid; immersion.
Extract
A passage from a literary work; an excerpt.
Infusion
The act or process of steeping or soaking any substance in water in order to extract its active principles.
Sips meek infusion of a milder herb.
Extract
A concentrated preparation of the essential constituents of a food, flavoring, or other substance; a concentrate
Maple extract.
Infusion
A solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
Extract
Something that is extracted or drawn out.
Infusion
The process of extracting certain active properties (as a drug from a plant) by steeping or soaking (usually in water)
Extract
A portion of a book or document, incorporated distinctly in another work; a citation; a quotation.
I used an extract of Hemingway's book to demonstrate culture shock.
Infusion
(medicine) the passive introduction of a substance (a fluid or drug or electrolyte) into a vein or between tissues (as by gravitational force)
Extract
A decoction, solution, or infusion made by drawing out from any substance that which gives it its essential and characteristic virtue
Extract of beef
Extract of dandelion
Vanilla extract
Infusion
The act of infusing or introducing a certain modifying element or quality;
The team's continued success is attributable to a steady infusion of new talent
Extract
Any substance extracted is such a way, and characteristic of that from which it is obtained
Quinine is the most important extract of Peruvian bark.
Extract
A solid preparation obtained by evaporating a solution of a drug, etc., or the fresh juice of a plant (distinguished from an abstract).
Extract
(obsolete) A peculiar principle (fundamental essence) once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts.
Extract
Ancestry; descent.
Extract
A draft or copy of writing; a certified copy of the proceedings in an action and the judgment therein, with an order for execution.
Extract
(transitive) To draw out; to pull out; to remove forcibly from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.
To extract a tooth from its socket, a stump from the earth, or a splinter from the finger
Extract
(transitive) To withdraw by expression, distillation, or other mechanical or chemical process. Compare abstract (transitive verb).
To extract an essential oil from a plant
Extract
(transitive) To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as a passage from a book.
Extract
(transitive) To select parts of a whole
We need to try to extract the positives from the defeat.
Extract
To determine (a root of a number).
Please extract the cube root of 27.
Extract
To draw out or forth; to pull out; to remove forcibly from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.; as, to extract a tooth from its socket, a stump from the earth, a splinter from the finger.
The beeSits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet.
Extract
To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as a passage from a book.
I have extracted out of that pamphlet a few notorious falsehoods.
Extract
That which is extracted or drawn out.
Extract
A portion of a book or document, separately transcribed; a citation; a quotation.
Extract
A decoction, solution, or infusion made by dissolving out from any substance that which gives it its essential and characteristic virtue; essence; as, extract of beef; extract of dandelion; also, any substance so extracted, and characteristic of that from which it is obtained; as, quinine is the most important extract of Peruvian bark.
Extract
A peculiar principle once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts; - called also the extractive principle.
Extract
Extraction; descent.
Extract
A draught or copy of writing; certified copy of the proceedings in an action and the judgement therein, with an order for execution.
Extract
A solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
Extract
A passage selected from a larger work;
He presented excerpts from William James' philosophical writings
Extract
Draw or pull out, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense;
Pull weeds
Extract a bad tooth
Take out a splinter
Extract information from the telegram
Extract
Get despite difficulties or obstacles;
I extracted a promise from the Dean for two ne positions
Extract
Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning);
We drew out some interesting linguistic data from the native informant
Extract
Extract by the process of distillation;
Distill the essence of this compound
Extract
Separate (a metal) from an ore
Extract
Obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action;
Italians express coffee rather than filter it
Extract
Take out of a literary work in order to cite or copy
Extract
Calculate the root of a number
Common Curiosities
How is an extract made?
An extract is made by isolating specific compounds or flavors from a substance, often using a solvent like alcohol or water, to create a concentrated form of the substance's essence.
Can you make an extract at home?
Yes, simple extracts like vanilla or citrus can be made at home using alcohol and the raw material, but some may require more specialized equipment.
Is an infusion the same as a tea?
Infusion is a broader term that includes the process of making tea, but it can also refer to the steeping of other substances like herbs and spices in liquid.
What is the difference between a pure extract and a flavoring?
Pure extracts are made from the natural source material and capture the true essence of the substance, whereas flavorings may be synthetic or a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients.
Can infusions be made with cold liquids?
Yes, infusions can be made with both hot and cold liquids, though the steeping time might vary with the temperature of the liquid.
What are common uses for extracts?
Extracts are commonly used in cooking, perfumery, and medicinal applications to impart intense flavors or aromas in small quantities.
What is an infusion?
An infusion is a process where substances like herbs or tea leaves are steeped in a liquid to transfer their flavors, aromas, or medicinal properties to the liquid.
How long should you steep an infusion?
The steeping time for an infusion varies depending on the substance being infused and the desired strength of the flavor or aroma.
Are extracts always alcoholic?
No, extracts can be made with various solvents, including alcohol, water, and oil, depending on the desired outcome.
Can infusions be used medicinally?
Yes, many infusions, especially those made with herbs, have medicinal properties and are used in traditional and alternative medicine.
Do infusions and extracts lose potency over time?
Yes, both infusions and extracts can lose potency over time, especially if not stored properly.
Are there any risks associated with making extracts at home?
Yes, using improper solvents or incorrect methods can pose risks, so it's essential to follow safe and tested procedures.
Can any substance be used for an infusion or extract?
Not all substances are suitable for infusions or extracts; the choice depends on the solubility and the desired compounds to be extracted.
How do you store infusions and extracts?
Infusions are best consumed fresh but can be refrigerated for a short period, while extracts have a longer shelf life and should be stored in a cool, dark place.
Can you mix different substances in a single infusion or extract?
Yes, combining substances can create complex flavors and aromas, but it's important to understand how the flavors will interact.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
