If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to make a cup of coffee, consider using instant coffee. It is the most widely consumed coffee in the world and is sure to appeal to anyone who loves caffeine.
This blog is here to provide you with all the information you need to know about instant coffee. We’ll cover topics like how it is made, the best way to prepare it, how to choose the right brand for you, the benefits of instant coffee compared to other types, and some recommendations for top 5 best instant coffee brands on the market.
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What is Instant coffee? Where does it come from?
Instant coffee is a type of coffee that has been dehydrated and turned into a powder form. It is different from ground coffee, which requires the extraction of coffee grounds from beans. Instead, instant coffee has already been extracted and then dehydrated, making it quick and easy to prepare by simply adding hot water. It is important not to confuse instant coffee with ground coffee, as they are not the same thing.
The first traces in the history of instant coffee date back to the 1800s. Alphonse Allais, a French journalist and writer, invented a new way of making coffee while he was serving in the military.
The coffee served in the army was of poor quality, largely due to sub-optimal storage conditions. Fed up with drinking sock juice, Alphonse Allais created a process that involved dehydrating coffee and then adding hot water. His colleagues were in favor of this method, and Allais even went on to register a patent for it in 1881.
Instant coffee eventually gained widespread popularity among the general public. Many people made improvements to the process over time, but it was in the early 1930s that Max Morgenthaler, a chemist working at Nestlé, developed the manufacturing methods that are still used today. Nestlé saw this as a valuable opportunity and began mass producing and marketing soluble coffee using these methods.
How is Instant coffee made?
The process of making instant coffee begins in the same way as other types of coffee, with steps such as harvesting, selecting the best beans, drying, and roasting.
There are two processes for producing instant coffee: either spray drying or freeze drying.
Spray-drying involves mixing ground coffee with water and filtering the mixture through several cycles. The mixture is then sprayed into a stream of hot, dry air and atomised. This is the fastest way to completely dehydrate the coffee.
To obtain freeze-dried coffee, producers remove the water from the product by freezing the concentrate in a cold room and then moving it to a vacuum chamber. This allows the water to evaporate. The result? A finer, better quality soluble with a stronger taste.
What are the advantages of instant coffee?
As mentioned, the main advantage of instant coffee is its speed and ease of preparation. But not only that!
Instant coffee is known for being the most affordable option on the market, allowing you to enjoy a cup of coffee at a lower cost. It also has the advantage of having longer expiration dates than other types of coffee, making it a convenient choice for long-term storage. In terms of variety, there is a wide range of instant coffee options available, including pure Arabica, pure Robusta, blends of both, decaffeinated, and organic. No matter your preferences, you are sure to find an instant coffee that suits you.
How to choose the best instant coffee?
Faced with all these choices, how do you choose? Just as with coffee beans, ground coffee or capsules, it all depends on your preferences.
If you prefer a strong and highly caffeinated coffee, consider choosing an instant coffee made from Robusta beans from Central Africa or Indonesia. On the other hand, if you want a more balanced flavor with aromatic notes, you may want to try an instant coffee made from pure Arabica beans from Central or South America or East Africa.
If you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, consider choosing a blend-based instant coffee. This type of coffee combines the bitter qualities of Robusta with the subtle aromas of Arabica, giving you a well-rounded and balanced flavor.
If you are concerned about the environment and the working conditions of local producers, you may want to consider choosing organic instant coffee. This type of coffee is grown and produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, making it a more sustainable and ethical choice.
If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, you can also choose decaffeinated instant coffee. In addition to standard varieties, there are also many special flavors of instant coffee available on the market, including cappuccino, praline, Viennese coffee, and vanilla. There is a wide range of options to choose from, so you are sure to find something that suits your taste.
Which instant coffee should I choose?
Here is our selection of the best soluble coffees on the market, just for you!
1. Douwe Egberts’ Gold
Douwe Egberts’ Gold instant coffee is well-known for its rich and delicious flavor. This is due to the use of mildly roasted coffee beans and a blend of Arabica and Robusta in its production. It is especially suitable for making a delicious Café Lungo, but can also be used to prepare a delicious cup of pure coffee.
In addition to its delicious taste, Douwe Egberts’ Gold instant coffee also comes in a large pack, making it convenient for use at home or at work. It is also environmentally friendly, as it uses minimal packaging material.
2. Folders Classic Roast Instant Coffee
Folgers is a coffee company that has been in business since 1850 and is known for its commitment to sustainability. One of their most popular products is their classic roast coffee crystals, which are a type of freeze-dried instant coffee that are easy to dissolve and only require hot water to make. The jar of coffee crystals is large enough to make up to 45 cups of coffee, each 6 ounces, and the strength can be adjusted by using more or less of the crystals. Alternatively, Folgers also offers individual packets of their classic roast coffee crystals.
3. Nescafé Gold Cappuccino
If you’re a fan of cappuccinos and are looking for an easy and convenient way to enjoy one, Nescafé Gold Cappuccino might be the perfect choice for you. With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious cappuccino in no time. Simply add 150 ml of hot water to the Nescafé Gold Cappuccino mix, which is made from a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, sugar, and skimmed milk powder. The result is a rich and flavorful cappuccino that will satisfy your cravings. But what really sets Nescafé Gold Cappuccino apart is its commitment to sustainability.
The coffee beans used in this blend are grown using sustainable farming techniques, meaning that not only is this coffee delicious, but it is also produced in an environmentally-friendly manner. So not only can you enjoy a tasty cappuccino in a snap, but you can also feel good about your choice knowing that it is supporting sustainable practices.
4. Kenco Millicano
Kenco Millicano is a type of instant coffee that is made by the Kenco brand. It is known for its strong and flavourful taste, which many coffee drinkers appreciate. The flavor is described as deep and rich, which means it has a robust and full-bodied taste that is similar to freshly brewed coffee.
One of the benefits of Kenco Millicano is that it is available in bulk, which means you can purchase a larger quantity at once and save money. This is convenient for those who consume a lot of coffee or who want to have a supply on hand for when they need it.
There are a couple of potential downsides to Kenco Millicano. One is that it can be slow to dissolve, which means you may need to stir it well before drinking it to ensure that all of the granules have fully dissolved. Some people may also find the sharp flavor to be too intense, which means it may not be suitable for everyone. However, for those who enjoy a strong and flavourful coffee, Kenco Millicano is a top choice.
5. Moccona Classic Dark Roast
Moccona Classic Dark Roast is a highly-rated instant coffee that is known for its smooth and great-tasting flavor. It is also an affordable option compared to other premium brands, making it a popular choice for many coffee drinkers. The coffee is also very aromatic, which means it has a strong and pleasant smell that can enhance the overall experience of drinking it.
Conclusion
With so many brands and types of instant coffee to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you. Here are a few things to consider when making your decision:
- Consider the type of roast: Different roasts of coffee have different flavours. For example, light roast coffee tends to be more mellow and mild, while dark roast coffee is bolder and has more robust flavours. Decide which roast you prefer and look for instant coffee that matches your preferences.
- Think about the source of the beans: The source of the beans can affect the flavour of the coffee. For example, Arabica beans have a smoother and sweeter flavour than Robusta beans, which have a stronger and more bitter taste. If you’re particular about the flavour of your coffee, look for brands that specify the type of beans they use.
- Check the ingredients list: Some brands of instant coffee include additives or flavourings, such as sugar or artificial flavours. If you prefer a more natural coffee, look for brands that use only coffee beans and nothing else.
- Consider the brand’s ethics and practices: Some coffee brands are more sustainable and ethically responsible than others. If these values are important to you, look for brands with a good reputation in these areas.