Abstract: Method for extracting tannins from bark and multi-stage apparatus suitable therefor. The method includes the steps of: contracting bark containing tannins with a first tannin enriched aqueous wash medium at elevated temperatures; separating the tannin-rich liquid extract by filtration including dewatering the resulting filter cake under pressure; washing the filter cake with a plurality of aqueous wash media at elevated temperatures; and separating the tannin enriched media after each washing stage by filtration including dewatering the filter cake under pressure; wherein each successive wash medium has a lower degree of tannin enrichment than the preceding wash medium.