Introduction

Instant coffee does really have the convenience of being 'instant’.  It is soluble coffee that can be prepared with hot water or milk and is the most widely consumed type of coffee worldwide for many apparent reasons.

Contrary to popular belief, instant coffee is not a weak caffeine drink.  Even though it has less caffeine than beans, instant coffee has all the same health benefits, particularly with regard to its higher concentration of antioxidants. 

The best part? It is equipment-free and has a longer shelf life.

You can improve and enjoy your instant coffee experience by adhering to a few simple steps.

This blog will show you how to prepare a better cup of instant coffee and give you some tips to enjoy it to the fullest.

The History of Instant Coffee

The first instant coffee was produced in Britain in the 18th century. The British government had it copyrighted under the name "coffee compound." 

Instant coffee was invented in the United States in 1853. Although it was experimented on during the Civil War in cake form, instant coffee didn't fully catch on until much later.

Satori Kato, a Japanese-American chemist from Chicago, developed the first effective process for producing a stable soluble coffee powder in 1901.

Following Kato, American inventor George Constant Louis Washington created his own instant coffee production technology and launched the first commercial brand of it in 1910.

During World War 1, mass manufacturing of coffee truly took off due to its growing popularity. When soldiers were away at war and preparing for conflict, caffeine gave them the boost they needed.

Washington Coffee, Nescafe, and other companies made a lot of money selling instant coffee to the military. The military received significant quantities of instant coffee from Nescafe and other brands between 1939 and 1945.

Due to their innovative way of producing instant coffee, Nescafe soon overtook all other instant coffee brands. 

Around 1938, they enhanced the flavour by co-drying coffee extract with an equivalent amount of soluble carbohydrates. Since this was much tastier, it was preferred over other instant coffee brands available in the market.

6 Simple Steps to Make Instant Coffee

1. Boil the water

The amount of water you need to boil depends on how much coffee you’re willing to make. But the general rule of thumb is to use 200 ml of water for 2g of coffee. 

Tip: To heat up our mug, we like to boil a little additional water, and we advise you to do the same.

Note(s):

• Water quantity also depends on the type of instant coffee you use. Most coffee brands have instructions mentioned on their labels so you can refer to them for the best output.
• The ideal water temperature for instant coffee is 80ºC. If the water is too hot, the coffee will burn and lose its pleasant aroma.

2. Warm up your mug

When the water is ready and before you add coffee, fill your mug with additional water and let it warm up completely. Compared to a cup at room temperature, a preheated mug will keep your coffee hot for much longer.

3. Add your favourite instant coffee to your mug

Now that your mug is warm enough, pour out the water and add the required amount of instant coffee powder to it. Check the label on your instant coffee to see how much you should use to get the best flavour.

Some instant coffee is packaged in bags, similar to tea, while others may come in prepackaged single servings.

Tip: If you prefer stronger coffee, use more powder, and use less for a less-strong coffee with minimal caffeine.

4. Add water and give it a good stir

After adding coffee, pour enough water into your mug and give it a good stir for the coffee to dissolve in the water completely. If you had rightly measured the coffee ratio for your mug, you don’t have to worry about the water quantity here. Just fill the mug entirely.

Mix the water with your coffee till you don’t see any granules. If you think the beverage has a gritty texture, you probably used a lot more coffee than you should.

Don’t worry, it could take a few attempts to find the perfect water-to-coffee ratio best suited for your taste.

Note:

• If you don't prefer your coffee black, don't forget to leave room in your mug for milk or creamer.

5. Add milk and sugar, if you like

If you prefer milk and sugar in your coffee, add them just before serving. When you added the water earlier, make sure you left room for the milk.

We enjoy combining whole milk with a bit of single cream to make a creamy and velvety smooth coffee. This method pairs well with our wide range of instant coffee powders. 

6. Make it fancy!

Try adding a small amount of cocoa powder, cinnamon, or allspice to give your coffee a more premium flavour. For additional sweetness, try almond milk or coffee creamer. Don't forget some froth and cream for a heavenly cup!

Tip: Don’t add extra sugar to your beverage if you are using flavoured coffee creamers. They are already sugary in nature. 

Recipe Summary

Ingredients:

• 4 grams of Levista instant coffee
• 13 ounces water + extra to preheat mug
• Milk, Sugar, & Flavours (optional)

Equipment:

• A kettle/pot to boil water
• A mug
• A spoon

Calories: 20 kcal

Prep time: 2 mins

Cook time: 1 min

Total time: 3 mins

Course: Drinks

Servings: 1 drink

Want to taste the best instant coffee mix?

Though instant coffee is a simple recipe and can’t really go wrong, the coffee powder you use can make a huge difference in how the beverage tastes. 

Levista offers a wide range of instant coffee powders- Strong Instant Coffee, Classic Pure Instant Coffee, and Premium Instant Coffee. As true coffee lovers, we understand that different people like their coffee drinks differently. Some like it strong, some light, and some in-between. At Levista, we have a coffee blend for everyone.

Made from the finest and skilfully roasted Arabica and Robusta beans, you can taste the true flavour of Coorg in every cup.

Conclusion

And that’s how you make a delicious cup of instant coffee. Instant coffee is the easiest way for people to prepare coffee on the go, and the simple tips we've provided here can help make the process even better.

Though there are many types of coffee brews available in the market today, the ease and comfort in a quick cup of instant coffee are unmatched! 

So, the next time you are craving some hot coffee in the middle of a busy workday, consider brewing yourself a cup of instant coffee to go!

Do you use milk or water for instant coffee?

You may make instant coffee with either milk or water. Obviously, the taste, flavour, consistency, and aroma of the beverage will change accordingly.

Is drinking instant coffee healthy?

Instant coffee has little caffeine and more acrylamide than regular coffee. It also has a lot of antioxidants. In general, instant coffee is a healthy, low-calorie beverage with the same positive effects on health as other varieties of coffee

Does instant coffee have side effects?

Too much caffeine consumption can have negative effects on your body and mind. Some of them are anxiety, disturbed sleep, restlessness, stomach discomfort, tremors, and a rapid heartbeat.

Does water need to be boiled for instant coffee?

No, you don't need to boil it. Coffee is different from tea. The ideal temperature for instant coffee is 80ºC. If the water is any hotter, the coffee will be burnt and lose its delicious aroma.

Is instant coffee stronger than regular coffee?

Not really. Ground coffee is stronger than instant coffee. A cup of ground coffee has 70–140mg of caffeine, compared to 30–90mg in one teaspoon of instant coffee.