Infusion vs. Extract: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Infusion involves steeping a substance in liquid to extract its flavor or healing properties, while extract is a concentrated form of a substance obtained through a process of extraction, often using solvents.
Key Differences
An infusion is created by immersing substances like herbs or tea in hot water, allowing flavors and properties to seep into the liquid. Extracts are made by using solvents like alcohol or water to draw out specific components, creating a concentrated solution.
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Infusions are typically less concentrated and have a milder effect, as they involve a gentle steeping process. Extracts are highly concentrated, containing a more potent form of the substance's active ingredients.
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Infusions are commonly used in beverages like tea and for medicinal purposes with a subtle effect. Extracts are used in cooking, perfumery, and medicine for their strong and precise flavors or therapeutic qualities.
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The process of making an infusion is generally quicker and involves less intense methods. The extraction process for making extracts is often longer and may involve complex procedures to isolate specific compounds.
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Infusions usually result in a liquid form that retains many of the original properties of the infused substance. Extracts are often found in various forms such as liquids, powders, or oils, focusing on specific aspects of the original material.
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Comparison Chart
Preparation Process
Steeping in liquid, typically water.
Using a solvent to isolate components.
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Concentration
Less concentrated, milder effect.
Highly concentrated, potent effect.
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Common Uses
Beverages, gentle medicinal purposes.
Cooking, perfumery, potent medicinal uses.
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Process Duration
Generally quicker and less intense.
Often longer and involves complex procedures.
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Resultant Form
Primarily liquid, retaining original properties.
Various forms, focusing on specific aspects of the substance.
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Infusion and Extract Definitions
Infusion
The process of steeping a substance in liquid to extract its flavors or healing properties.
She made a soothing infusion of chamomile and mint.
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Extract
A concentrated form of a substance obtained through an extraction process.
Vanilla extract is commonly used in baking.
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Infusion
The act of filling something with a substance or quality.
The infusion of enthusiasm in the team boosted their performance.
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Extract
To derive or take out information from a source.
She was able to extract the key points from the report.
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Infusion
The slow injection of a substance into a vein or tissue.
The patient received an infusion of antibiotics for the infection.
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Extract
To remove or take out, especially with effort or force.
The dentist had to extract a tooth.
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Extract
A passage taken from a text, film, or piece of music.
He read an extract from his favorite novel during the class.
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Infusion
Something infused or introduced
An economy in need of regular capital infusions.
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Extract
To draw or pull out, often with great force or effort
Extract a wisdom tooth.
Used tweezers to extract the splinter.
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Infusion
The liquid product obtained by infusing
Prepared an infusion of medicinal herbs.
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Infusion
Introduction of a solution into the body through a vein for therapeutic purposes.
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Extract
To obtain from a substance by chemical or mechanical action, as by pressure, distillation, or evaporation.
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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.
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Infusion
The act of steeping or soaking a substance in liquid so as to extract medicinal or herbal qualities.
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Infusion
(medicine) The administration of liquid substances directly into a vein for medical purposes; perfusion.
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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.
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Extract
A concentrated preparation of the essential constituents of a food, flavoring, or other substance; a concentrate
Maple extract.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Infusion
A solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
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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.
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Infusion
The process of extracting certain active properties (as a drug from a plant) by steeping or soaking (usually in water)
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Extract
A solid preparation obtained by evaporating a solution of a drug, etc., or the fresh juice of a plant (distinguished from an abstract).
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Infusion
(medicine) the passive introduction of a substance (a fluid or drug or electrolyte) into a vein or between tissues (as by gravitational force)
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Extract
(obsolete) A peculiar principle (fundamental essence) once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts.
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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
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Infusion
A drink or solution obtained by infusing a substance in water.
He enjoyed a warm infusion of green tea in the morning.
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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.
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Infusion
The introduction of a new element or quality into something.
The infusion of modern design into traditional crafts was remarkable.
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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
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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
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Extract
(transitive) To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as a passage from a book.
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Extract
(transitive) To select parts of a whole
We need to try to extract the positives from the defeat.
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Extract
To determine (a root of a number).
Please extract the cube root of 27.
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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.
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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.
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Extract
A portion of a book or document, separately transcribed; a citation; a quotation.
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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.
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Extract
A peculiar principle once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts; - called also the extractive principle.
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Extract
A draught or copy of writing; certified copy of the proceedings in an action and the judgement therein, with an order for execution.
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Extract
A solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
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Extract
A passage selected from a larger work;
He presented excerpts from William James' philosophical writings
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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
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Extract
Get despite difficulties or obstacles;
I extracted a promise from the Dean for two ne positions
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Extract
Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning);
We drew out some interesting linguistic data from the native informant
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Extract
Extract by the process of distillation;
Distill the essence of this compound
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Extract
Obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action;
Italians express coffee rather than filter it
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Extract
To obtain a substance from something by using a solvent.
They extract essential oils from flowers for perfumes.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How are herbal extracts made?
By using solvents like alcohol to extract active compounds from herbs.
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Can you make an infusion at home?
Yes, by steeping ingredients like herbs in hot water.
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What is an alcohol extract?
A substance extracted using alcohol as a solvent.
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Is infusion used in medicine?
Yes, for administering drugs or nutrients directly into the bloodstream.
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What's the difference in taste between an infusion and an extract?
Infusions are milder, while extracts are more intense and concentrated.
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What is a tea infusion?
Steeping tea leaves in hot water to extract flavor and properties.
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What's a common use of vanilla extract?
As a flavoring agent in baking and cooking.
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Can extracts be used in perfumery?
Yes, for their concentrated and potent scents.
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How long should you steep an infusion?
It varies, but typically between 5 to 15 minutes.
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What are the health benefits of infusions?
They can offer mild therapeutic properties, depending on the ingredients.
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Are extracts used in traditional medicine?
Yes, often for their potent and specific therapeutic effects.
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How do you extract oil from plants?
Typically through distillation or using solvents.
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Can you extract water-soluble compounds?
Yes, through methods like infusion or aqueous extraction.
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What's the difference in strength between an infusion and an extract?
Extracts are generally stronger and more concentrated.
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Is an infusion the same as a decoction?
No, decoctions involve boiling, while infusions involve steeping.
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Is it easy to make an extract?
It can be complex and may require specific equipment.
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What is a coffee infusion?
Coffee grounds steeped in hot water to make coffee.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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