6 Tips for Better Tasting Instant Coffee

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6 Tips for Better Tasting Instant Coffee

via How to of the Day on 6/19/11

Invented in 1901 by Japanese scientist Satori Kato, instant coffee has been around for over a century in homes, offices, and the hospitality industry.^[1] It's a huge commercial success because of its ability to dissolve instantly in hot water. However, it's not usually appreciated by coffee connoisseurs because it tends to lack the intensity, full-bodied nature, and flavor of coffee made from freshly ground coffee beans or freeze-dried ground coffee; it often gets called coffee-flavored hot water.

Yet, when you don't have the money for a good coffeemaker and beans, or you lack the time to brew a whole pot in the morning, instant coffee can make a good substitute provided you take care with how you make it. With some simple steps you can make a perfect cup of instant coffee.

Edit Steps

1. Buy quality instant coffee.
   Buy quality instant coffee. The first step toward making a good-tasting instant coffee is to get good quality instant coffee granules. It won't necessarily be reflected in the price although that is a fairly good indicator. Just be aware that the lowest grade coffee beans are usually used to make instant coffee, which is part of why it doesn't taste as great as other types of coffee.^[2] And you will probably need to try several brands before finding one that you like enough.
   • Instant coffee comes in two types: Spray-dried and freeze-dried. The freeze-drying method denatures the coffee less and tends to produce a truer coffee flavor.^[3]

2. Fill a kettle with water.
   Fill a kettle with water. Ideally, use bottled, pitcher-purified, or filtered water if you have it, but if you don't, tap water is fine. It is simply that the water quality does impact the resulting taste, so the less chemically enhanced the water, the better. Turn on the kettle if it is electric or put it on the stove if it isn't.

3. Read the directions on the box or jar of instant coffee mix.
   Read the directions on the box or jar of instant coffee mix. Some differ from others, so knowing their own brand best, it pays to read their recommendations. Add the specified amount of mix to an empty cup. Usually this will be about one slightly rounded teaspoon (to start with).

4. When the water in the kettle almost boils, pour it into the cup.
   When the water in the kettle almost boils, pour it into the cup. Pour just a teaspoon of the very hot (nearly boiling) water into the mug; only enough to dampen the instant coffee. If you use sugar, put in your sugar granules at this point too. With a metal spoon, crush the slurry against the side of the mug. Once stirred, pour in the rest of the hot water.
   • Leave space for milk or cream if you're going to add it and if you want a latte, only fill the cup halfway with water.
   • It is recommended that you don't let the kettle boil completely; boiling hot water scalds the instant granules and turns the milk bitter.

5. Stir, making sure all the coffee powder, milk, and sugar are evenly blended.
   Stir, making sure all the coffee powder, milk, and sugar are evenly blended. Stir the bottom especially well to prevent dregs.

6. Customize the basic instant coffee.
   Customize the basic instant coffee. While you can choose to drink the coffee as it is, this step is where you ramp up the quality of the instant coffee. Here are some suggestions:

   • If you're adding milk, choose the type carefully.
     If you're adding milk, choose the type carefully. Whole milk tastes creamier than skim milk, and condensed milk is even thicker (but has a distinctively different taste). Sip some milk on its own before you put it in your coffee to determine your favorite, but keep in mind that the flavor may change when added to the coffee.

   • Use cream instead of milk.
     Use cream instead of milk.

   • If you're adding sugar, try different sugars as the taste varies widely and you may find that one type of sugar tastes better than another in the instant coffee.
     If you're adding sugar, try different sugars as the taste varies widely and you may find that one type of sugar tastes better than another in the instant coffee. When in doubt use regular, refined sugar.

   • Add flavorings such as vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or ground cinnamon.
     Add flavorings such as vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or ground cinnamon. Stir thoroughly until the extra ingredients have been dissolved.

   • Try a flavored creamer.
     Try a flavored creamer. Purchase flavored creamers. There are varied tastes such as caramel or hazelnut, for example.

   • Invest in some bottles of flavored syrup if you like flavor shots in your coffee.
     Invest in some bottles of flavored syrup if you like flavor shots in your coffee. There is even a liquid coffee essence or extract that can add a punch to your instant coffee flavor. Be aware that these syrups tend to be high in fructose sugar, which isn't very healthy for you in frequent doses.

Edit Video

Edit Tips

• If you added a lot of milk and now your coffee has turned room-temperature, consider ditching it and starting again. Re-heating heated water in the microwave can be dangerous as it can become super-heated and explode over you when stirred.

• If you want some foam on your instant coffee, mix the instant powder with milk/cream and sugar in the cup before adding the hot water. The coffee and sugar should be dissolved and have formed into a runny paste by the time you add the water. This will also keep your coffee hot.
• Give the milk a shake whilst still in the bottle or carton for a bargain cappuccino!
• If you can't stand the instant coffee you've purchased to try, don't toss it away. It's great to use in cooking!
• Pat yourself on the back for drinking instant coffee; it produces less carbon emissions than drip-filtered coffee!^[4]

Edit Warnings

• Be sure you're buying coffee mix, and not ground up beans. Look for the words "instant coffee" on the package.
• On the other hand, mixing ground beans with boiling water will create you an even better taste experience - just wait for the coffee to settle to the bottom before drinking it.

Edit Things You'll Need

• Instant coffee mix
• Kettle
• Bottled or filtered water
• Milk (any kind)
• Sugar (refined or brown)
• Flavoured Syrup

Edit Related wikiHows

• How to Make Iced Vanilla Coffee (Real Vanilla Bean)
• How to Froth Milk for Cappuccino Without Fancy Tools
• How to Make Dessert Coffee
• How to Roast Your Own Coffee
• How to Make Instant Coffee

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