Instant coffee: how and from what is made, what you need to know about it

It is very convenient to prepare instant coffee, when brewing there is no sediment. You do not need to spend time grinding beans, refueling the coffee machine or standing over the brewpot at the stove. But is there real coffee in an «instant coffee» drink? To find the answer to this question, let's find out what it is made from and look behind the scenes of production.

What is made instant coffee?

Although there are many rumors that instant coffee contains chemicals and substitutes, this drink is actually made from coffee. An extract is extracted from beans that meet quality standards. It contains caffeine, trace elements, B vitamins and antioxidants. Essential oils evaporate, so instant coffee does not have the rich aroma of a custard drink.

Stages of production of instant coffee:

• First, the beans are roasted and crushed into larger pieces than for the home preparation of the drink.
• Then the beans are brewed in tanks for a long time until a thick concentrate is formed. It has a very high caffeine content.
• From the liquid mass, instant coffee is converted to a dry state. This is done in several ways.

Soluble coffee comes in powder, granules, and freeze dried coffee. These types of concentrate differ in their properties because they are prepared under different conditions and with different technologies. Almost any online tea and coffee shop can offer a wide range of instant coffee in any form.

To make powdered coffee, the liquid with the decoction of beans is directed through a spray into a thin tube, which is treated with very hot air. The moisture evaporates and a fine powder settles to the bottom. The downside of instant coffee powder is that there is virtually no previous flavor to the beans because they undergo a double heat treatment. When brewing it sticks to the spoon and the walls of the mug, which is not convenient.

Ground coffee is prepared in the same way as powder coffee. The difference is that it is wet and pellets are formed. This type of coffee is easy to prepare because it does not stick to the utensils.

Freeze dried coffee is made in a more delicate way, without re-treatment at high temperature. The concentrate is frozen and dehumidified under vacuum without heating. Due to this the aroma of coffee and about 95% of its nutrients are preserved.

Some producers use a technology to return the aroma to instant coffee. When the beans are evaporated, the essential oils are collected and added to the finished concentrate.

What you need to know about instant coffee

It is important for fans of instant coffee to consider some facts about this drink:

• The caffeine content remains high. Instant coffee is invigorating and uplifting because it releases dopamine and adrenaline. It can cause increased heart rate, so you should not drink too much of it.
• It is not recommended to drink this drink on an empty stomach because it has high acidity.
• In order for instant coffee to be as close in flavor to custard coffee as possible, you do not need to pour it with boiling water. The water temperature should be about 85 degrees.
• When storing instant coffee, it is important to keep in mind that it absorbs moisture. Powder or granules are kept in an airtight container.

Instant coffee is not an imitation of the drink beloved by many. It contains the basic substances of coffee beans. To get more benefits and enjoyment, choose freeze dried coffee. Granulated and instant coffee are more budget-friendly options. However, such drinks are also invigorating.