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/glossary/under-extraction

Under-Extraction

萃取不足

Grinding

Definition

The opposite failure, in which water leaves the grounds before enough flavor has dissolved, so the cup lacks sweetness and body. It usually traces to too coarse a grind, a brew that finished too fast, water that is too cool, or simply too little coffee relative to the water. The telltale taste is sharp, sour, thin, and faintly salty - like a coffee that never finished brewing.

Etymology

The prefix under-, meaning insufficient, paired with extraction; it entered common use alongside over-extraction as specialty roasters shifted toward lighter, harder-to-dissolve beans.

In use

The verdict on a sour, watery shot - 'grind finer, it's under-extracted' - and the most common first hurdle when dialing in espresso.