Instant Coffee Hacks You Should Know

If you’re a java lover, you’ve probably been in the situation where you’re looking at a box of instant coffee granules and wondering how to make them taste as good as the beans you usually filter through your coffee maker. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to improve the taste of instant coffee.

Making a great cup of instant coffee can be challenging. But the good news is that it’s not impossible! With a little effort and some helpful tips, you can turn a batch of just-add-water joe into something even an intense coffee snob would enjoy. 

The Origin

There are two ways to make instant coffee: spray-drying and freeze-drying. The first steps of the process are the same for both methods. In step one, coffee grounds are brewed, and in step two, the coffee is condensed to create a thick coffee extract. 

If the instant coffee is freeze-dried, the coffee extract is frozen until a sort of java slushie forms. The slushie is chilled until it hardens into slabs of coffee ice. Then, the workers break the coffee ice into tiny pieces and send them to a drying vacuum until they vaporize and nothing but coffee crystals are left behind.

Spray-drying is a process that uses heat to turn coffee extract into instant brew. To do this, workers spray the liquid coffee extract into hot, dry air. By the time the extract droplets fall to the ground, all the water has left them; they’re just small, dehydrated pieces of instant coffee powder.

Hacks You Should Know

Water-To-Coffee Ratio

It’s easy to make a mistake when it comes to the coffee-to-water ratio – even if you’re using a coffee maker.  It is understood that reading instructions isn’t always fun. But usually, the best way to make sure your coffee tastes great is to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions.

If the manufacturer’s instructions aren’t working out for you, don’t be afraid to experiment a little bit and find a method that works better for you and your preferences.

High-Quality Coffee

You might be surprised how many people subject themselves to subpar coffee just because they don’t want to shell out the extra cash for a high-quality product. When it comes down to it, purchasing top-notch coffee is a no-brainer.

When you’re looking for the best instant coffee, be sure to buy freeze-dried arabica beans. They’ll give you the best flavor. You might have to pay a little bit more, but it’s worth it for the quality. Do some research to find the best instant coffee brands.

Cold Water

A little known secret to making instant coffee less bitter is to use cold water instead of hot water when dissolving the granules. For a smoother cup of coffee, mix the instant coffee with cold water first, and then fill the rest of your cup with hot water. It’s not exactly cold brew, but it does the trick.

The reason this hack works is because instant coffee contains amylum. When the amylum makes contact with hot water, it hardens and creates a powdery taste. However, cold water allows the coffee to dissolve gently without hardening the amylum. As a result, using cold water creates a tastier brew.

Salt

If you’re a coffee addict, you might be surprised to learn that adding a pinch of salt can actually improve the taste of your coffee. This was demonstrated in a research experiment conducted by food scientist Alton Brown. Sometimes coffee can turn out bitter, but adding a little salt can help to prevent that.

If you have too much coffee in relation to the amount of water, or if you let your coffee steep for too long, the salt will make the sour taste less noticeable. This is because salt contains sodium, which alters bitter flavors.

Adding salt to coffee may not make it taste great, but it can make it more palatable. If you’ve made a mistake in your coffee preparation, you can add salt to the finished cup or lightly sprinkle it on top of the brew and see how it affects the taste.

Cocoa

Chocolate is enjoyed by many people for more reasons than just winning over the ladies in your life. Chocolate can also be used as a bribe for little favors, or even as a cake or dessert topping. There are endless possibilities for what you can do with this delicious treat.

Adding cocoa to your coffee is a great way to enjoy the flavor of chocolate without all the calories. And it’s so easy to do! Just add a scoop or two of cocoa powder to your instant coffee. You can use sweetened or unsweetened cocoa, depending on your preference. So next time you’re in the mood for a delicious mocha coffee, reach for the cocoa powder instead of the chocolate bar.

Butter

Try not to be too surprised when you see people using butter in their coffee. It might not be what you’re used to, but it’s becoming a trend among coffee lovers. Butter can actually help to bring out the best flavors in instant coffee, making it smoother and less bitter. 

And while some people prefer to use butter in their coffee, others prefer to just add cream. Whichever you choose, it’s important that the coffee is hot before the butter is added. This is the best way to ensure that the butter is fully incorporated into the coffee and doesn’t separate. If you drink it black, you might be tempted to add more sugar. However, this will just make it even less tolerable. Instead, choose a coffee which is bitter. This will make the flavor of the butter stand out, instead of coming off as overly sweet.

Key Takeaway

While most coffee drinkers may not be able to tell the difference between an instant coffee and a barista-made drink, instant coffee does not have to be a cheap drink. You can make it much more palatable by following a some tips mentioned above.

And following the general process of making coffee — first, you should choose a ground coffee that has been finely ground. This will make your coffee more flavorful and easy to dissolve in hot water. Next, you should use a flavorful creamer or sugar that is well-mixed. This will balance out the bitterness in the coffee. And finally, you should not put more than two tablespoons of instant coffee in a given cup, as this will make it taste even more bitter.