My Preferred Instant Coffees, Unquestionably Delivering Satisfaction, Far from Being subpar
For ages, instant coffee was synonymous with crap. Lacking flavor, burnt yet watery, it was only consumed in extreme circumstances like camping, long-haul flights, or working through the night, a punishment in disguise. But with our nationwide obsession with artisan coffee, roasters have shifted their caffeinated focus onto instant coffee. The game has been flipped.
The Making of Instant Coffee
People talk about bad instant coffee as if it's concocted from poison crystals and dirt. Yet, nothing could be farther from the truth. Instant coffee is, in fact, 100% coffee. The process begins with roasting green coffee beans and grinding them. Following this, the coffee is extracted with hot water, similar to home brewing. The key difference arises in the drying process.
The liquid brew is then dried to remove as much water as possible, employing methods such as spray-drying, freeze-drying, or spray-freeze-drying. The method you choose alters the coffee's aromatic qualities, with freeze-drying and spray-freeze-drying delivering the best results. (For more information on these drying methods, click here.)
The drying process converts the liquid coffee brew into fine crystals or powder, which is later packaged and sold. Simply add hot or cold liquid, and the coffee crystals dissolve instantly.
Bad Rap for Instant Coffee
So why is instant coffee sometimes considered subpar? I asked Chris Cross, Lead Coffee Roaster at Café Grumpy, why the instant coffees from grocery store brands like Maxwell House and Folgers aren't as appealing. "It's not the instant coffee process that makes it bad," Cross explained. "But rather, in the past, they used the cheapest, low-quality coffee they could find."
Previously, large-scale coffee companies relied on inferior brews for their instant coffee lines, seemingly as an afterthought. Today, top-notch independent roasters can compete by using high-quality beans and special brewing techniques to create great-tasting instant coffee.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann## My Favorite Instant Coffees Today
As a coffee enthusiast, I'll admit it took me some time to warm up to instant coffee. Starbucks' instant coffee line has been around for a while, but I steered clear because it didn't align with my preferences. However, when I spotted the orange boxes at Café Grumpy, I was intrigued. "If instant coffee is bad," I thought, "why is Starbucks doing this?" Because rules, I realized. And the same goes for its instant decaf.
My go-to brands for instant coffee unsurprisingly reflect my favorite coffee shops. In addition to Café Grumpy, I also love the instant espresso from Blue Bottle, which comes in a jar instead of a packet, offering customization and versatility.
Once I finally gave Starbucks' instant coffee a try, I discovered the blonde roast was quite enjoyable. The medium and dark roast, however, didn't appeal to me. The inclusion of microgrounds of coffee beans adds a touch of authenticity, with a gritty texture reminiscent of brewed-at-home coffee. Generally, if you enjoy a brand's regular coffee, you'll appreciate its instant version. Unfortunately, you won't find the Café Grumpy or Blue Bottle brands at your local grocery store, but you can purchase them online or visit the physical stores if you live nearby.
Using Instant Coffee
While instant coffee was once reserved for traveling and overnight shifts, it can now be used as a substitute for your morning brew without any compromise. With its ease of use and quick preparation, it allows you to enjoy coffee in the time it takes to yawn.
At least once a week, I brew a quick shot of instant coffee before heading out for a run. The package instructions typically call for 1-2 tablespoons of coffee per 8 ounces of water. Adjust the proportion to suit your taste buds.
Instant coffee is incredibly versatile. You can use it in recipes, drinks, and cooking. Simply use a spoonful to infuse your coffee flavor without diluting your recipe. Try it in desserts, marinades, or cocktails. The only downside is the higher price tag associated with better instant coffee. However, you can view it as a premium trade-off for excellent quality. I don't suggest replacing your regular brewing routine with instant coffee entirely. Instead, consider it a convenient addition to your coffee repertoire.
The best instant coffee can be created using high-quality beans and specialized brewing techniques, resulting in a delicious taste. In fact, some popular coffee brands like Starbucks and Blue Bottle have opened up their instant coffee lines using these methods.
Despite the misconception, the pour-over method of making instant coffee can produce a rich taste equivalent to drip-brewed coffee, making it an excellent choice for coffee enthusiasts seeking convenience.
