Essence vs. Extract: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 8, 2023
"Essence" is a highly concentrated flavoring made from natural or artificial ingredients, while "Extract" is a flavoring made by infusing real ingredients in a solvent.
Key Differences
"Essence" refers to a flavoring concentrate, sometimes synthetically produced, giving a strong taste of the original ingredient, often used in cooking and baking. In contrast, "Extract" is a flavoring solution made by steeping a substance, usually a natural one like vanilla beans, in alcohol to draw out its natural flavors.
"Essence" can be stronger than the flavor of the original food, and its artificial form may not contain the actual food ingredient it's meant to taste like. However, "Extract" is typically milder and carries the real flavors and aromas of the natural ingredient it's derived from, thanks to the extracting process.
In culinary applications, "Essence" is used in small amounts due to its potency, suitable for dishes requiring a significant flavor without the bulk of the actual ingredient. "Extract," meanwhile, offers a more subtle and complex flavor and is used when the true taste of the original ingredient is desired.
Cost-wise, "Essence" is often less expensive than "Extract" because it can be artificially created without the need for the original plant or substance. In comparison, "Extract" requires the actual source ingredient for its creation, often involving a longer preparation process, making it more costly.
Regarding health, "Essence" made synthetically might not offer the same health benefits associated with the natural ingredient. In contrast, "Extract" retains more of the original ingredient's properties, potentially including some health benefits, though it's generally used in amounts too small to be significant nutritionally.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Composition
Natural or synthetic flavor concentrate
Real ingredients infused in a solvent
Flavor Intensity
High
More subtle
Usage
Small amounts due to potency
Used for genuine flavor of the source
Cost
Typically cheaper
More expensive due to natural ingredients
Health Benefits
Less likely in synthetic forms
Retains properties of the original source
ADVERTISEMENT
Essence and Extract Definitions
Essence
The intrinsic nature of something.
The Essence of her argument was lost in the details.
Extract
To remove or obtain a substance from something.
She managed to Extract a promise from him.
Essence
The most important element or quality.
Trust is the very Essence of their relationship.
Extract
A preparation containing the active ingredient of a substance.
Vanilla Extract is a common ingredient in baking.
Essence
In philosophy, the fundamental nature of a being.
They debated the Essence of humanity deep into the night.
Extract
To derive something.
Scientists Extract data from their experiments.
Essence
The intrinsic or indispensable quality or qualities that serve to characterize or identify something
The essence of democracy is the freedom to choose.
Extract
To draw or pull out, often with great force or effort
Extract a wisdom tooth.
Used tweezers to extract the splinter.
Essence
(Philosophy) The inherent, unchanging nature of a thing or class of things, especially as contrasted with its existence.
Extract
To obtain despite resistance
Extract a promise.
Essence
The most important part or aspect of something
The essence of her argument is that the policy is wrongheaded.
Extract
To obtain from a substance by chemical or mechanical action, as by pressure, distillation, or evaporation.
Essence
An extract that has the fundamental properties of a substance in concentrated form.
Extract
To remove for separate consideration or publication; excerpt.
Essence
Such an extract in a solution of alcohol.
Extract
To derive or obtain (information, for example) from a source.
Essence
A perfume or scent.
Extract
To deduce (a principle or doctrine); construe (a meaning).
Essence
One that has or shows an abundance of a quality as if highly concentrated
A neighbor who is the essence of hospitality.
Extract
To derive (pleasure or comfort) from an experience.
Essence
Something that exists, especially a spiritual or incorporeal entity.
Extract
(Mathematics) To determine or calculate (the root of a number).
Essence
The inherent nature of a thing or idea.
Extract
A passage from a literary work; an excerpt.
Essence
(philosophy) The true nature of anything, not accidental or illusory.
Extract
A concentrated preparation of the essential constituents of a food, flavoring, or other substance; a concentrate
Maple extract.
Essence
Constituent substance.
Extract
Something that is extracted or drawn out.
Essence
A being; especially, a purely spiritual being.
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.
Essence
A significant feature of something.
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
Essence
The concentrated form of a plant or drug obtained through a distillation process.
Essence of Jojoba
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.
Essence
An extract or concentrate obtained from a plant or other matter used for flavouring, or as a restorative.
Vanilla essence
Extract
A solid preparation obtained by evaporating a solution of a drug, etc., or the fresh juice of a plant (distinguished from an abstract).
Essence
Fragrance, a perfume.
Extract
(obsolete) A peculiar principle (fundamental essence) once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts.
Essence
The constituent elementary notions which constitute a complex notion, and must be enumerated to define it; sometimes called the nominal essence.
Extract
Ancestry; descent.
Essence
The constituent quality or qualities which belong to any object, or class of objects, or on which they depend for being what they are (distinguished as real essence); the real being, divested of all logical accidents; that quality which constitutes or marks the true nature of anything; distinctive character; hence, virtue or quality of a thing, separated from its grosser parts.
The laws are at present, both in form and essence, the greatest curse that society labors under.
Gifts and alms are the expressions, not the essence of this virtue [charity].
The essence of Addison's humor is irony.
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.
Essence
Constituent substance.
And uncompounded is their essence pure.
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
Essence
A being; esp., a purely spiritual being.
As far as gods and heavenly essencesCan perish.
He had been indulging in fanciful speculations on spiritual essences, until . . . he had and ideal world of his own around him.
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
Essence
The predominant qualities or virtues of a plant or drug, extracted and refined from grosser matter; or, more strictly, the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil; as, the essence of mint, and the like.
The . . . word essence . . . scarcely underwent a more complete transformation when from being the abstract of the verb "to be," it came to denote something sufficiently concrete to be inclosed in a glass bottle.
Extract
(transitive) To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as a passage from a book.
Essence
Perfume; odor; scent; or the volatile matter constituting perfume.
Nor let the essences exhale.
Extract
(transitive) To select parts of a whole
We need to try to extract the positives from the defeat.
Essence
To perfume; to scent.
Extract
To determine (a root of a number).
Please extract the cube root of 27.
Essence
The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;
The gist of the prosecutor's argument
The heart and soul of the Republican Party
The nub of the story
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.
Essence
Any substance possessing to a high degree the predominant properties of a plant or drug or other natural product from which it is extracted
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.
Essence
The central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
Extract
That which is extracted or drawn out.
Essence
A toiletry that emits and diffuses a fragrant odor
Extract
A portion of a book or document, separately transcribed; a citation; a quotation.
Essence
A concentrated liquid providing the flavor of a substance.
He added lemon Essence to give the cake a citrusy note.
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
Extract
A short passage taken from a piece of writing or music.
He read an Extract from his latest novel during the event.
Extract
To take out, especially using effort.
The dentist had to Extract a tooth.
FAQs
Can "Essence" replace "Extract" in a recipe?
Sometimes, but flavors and strengths differ.
Are "Extracts" gluten-free?
Most are, but check labels to be sure.
Can "Extracts" be made without alcohol?
Yes, but alcohol is most common due to its efficiency in extracting flavor.
Is "Extract" healthier than "Essence"?
It can be, especially if the "Essence" is synthetic.
Are all "Essences" synthetic?
No, there are natural essences, but many are synthetic.
How much "Essence" should I use in recipes?
Use sparingly; they're highly concentrated.
Is "Essence" the same as essential oil?
No, essential oils are potent oils extracted from plants, not typically used as food flavorings.
Does "Extract" expire?
It can degrade over time, but generally has a long shelf life.
Does "Essence" contain allergens?
Check labels, as it can vary by product.
Are there sugar-free "Extracts"?
Many are sugar-free, but check labels to confirm.
What's the alcohol content in "Extract"?
It varies, but it's usually a small percentage.
How are "Essences" stored?
In a cool, dark place, in airtight containers.
Can you make homemade "Essence"?
Yes, both natural and artificial recipes exist.
What's the shelf life of "Extract"?
It varies, but many last several years.
Are "Essences" used in aromatherapy?
Not typically; essential oils are used instead.
Can "Extract" flavors vary by brand?
Yes, due to differences in source materials and extraction methods.
Is "Essence" vegan?
Usually, but check for specific ingredients.
Can I use "Extract" in drinks?
Yes, they're often used in cocktails and other beverages.
How are "Extracts" made?
By soaking the source material in alcohol or another solvent.
Can "Essence" be used in cosmetics?
Some are used in perfumes and skincare.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
