Most coffee lovers would start their day with a cup of warm, aromatic coffee. However, some of them are filled with hectic activities. Quite often, they prefer a solution that is both practical and enjoyable.
To answer this need, instant coffee is the perfect choice. With this product, anyone can enjoy the authentic taste of coffee in just minutes!
With just a few ingredients, making your instant coffee at home is possible. Aside from controlling the taste and quality yourself, you’ll also be able to appreciate the art of making each cup of coffee.
Let’s discover the complete guide on how to make instant coffee from coffee beans. Before that, we’d better get to know what instant coffee is!
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What Is Instant Coffee?
Instant coffee is made by brewing and drying coffee, which then undergoes a process to be transformed into a powdered form. It offers practicality as you only need to dissolve it briefly with hot water.
Is instant coffee simply ground coffee beans? Of course not, because instant coffee is made from brewed coffee extract, which is then dried by spray or freeze-drying techniques.
Also read: What Are Green Coffee Beans? Here’s 3 Ways to Consume It!
A Little History Lesson of Instant Coffee
Did you know that instant coffee is over a century old? This variant was initially created by David Strang, a New Zealand inventor, back in 1890. This coffee was a practical solution for those who travelled a lot.
The manufacturing process was then perfected by Nestlé in 1938. This is the origin of the Nescafé product! This product then became the mainstay of soldiers who served in World War II.
Today, the demand for instant coffee continues to increase due to our increasingly modern culture to the point where it has become an essential commodity in the global coffee-drinking culture.
Is Ground Coffee the Same as Instant Coffee?
Ground coffee is undoubtedly different from instant coffee. To make ground coffee, processors grind roasted coffee beans that have not been brewed. This contrasts with instant coffee, which is brewed, dried, and then transformed into a powder-like texture.
The serving method is also different because instant coffee will dissolve in hot water, while ground coffee must go through the brewing process first.
Also read: Whole Bean Coffee vs Ground Coffee: Which is Better?
How Instant Coffee Is Usually Made?
What are the usual steps when it comes to making instant coffee? Here are some modern methods used to dry instant coffee!
1. Spray Drying
In this process, the brewed coffee liquid is sprayed directly into a stream of hot air. The coffee particles will dry quickly and turn into powder. While this method is quick and efficient, it may slightly reduce the flavor and aroma of the coffee.
2. Freeze Drying
Next up is the freeze-drying method. At first, the coffee liquid will be frozen until it becomes ice. After that, these ice particles will be crushed into small pieces before finally being placed in a vacuum chamber.
By prioritizing the sublimation process, the ice evaporates and leaves the coffee powder ready to be brewed. Generally, this method retains the flavor and aroma of coffee better than spray drying!
3. Vacuum Drying
Here, the coffee liquid will be dried using low pressure so that the water can evaporate due to the lower temperature. The result? Some fine coffee powder with authentic coffee flavor and aroma.
How to Make Instant Coffee From Coffee Beans?
Can you make your instant coffee from coffee beans? Absolutely! Here are three easy methods on how to make instant coffee from coffee beans that you can follow.
1. Without Machine
You can make instant coffee at home by grinding coffee beans into small particles. To help you out, it’s best to use a quality grinder so your coffee tastes very smooth.
Then, brew the coffee grounds with hot water. Strain out the grounds and dry all the liquid using air-drying techniques or a low-temperature oven.
2. Using Coffee Maker
The next step is to use an auxiliary tool such as a coffee maker. First, brew the coffee with the machine. After separating the grounds and liquid, immediately dry the coffee extract with an oven or dehydrator.
Also read: Knowing the Differences between Americano and Long Black Coffee
How To Keep Your Instant Coffee Fresh?
What to do after grinding coffee beans? Of course, you need to store them properly to keep them fresh for use. Here are some tips that you can do:
1. Use Airtight Containers
Store your instant coffee in an airtight container. You can avoid the coffee beans becoming damp or oxidized by doing so. This will maintain the quality and flavor of the coffee.
For your choice of container, you can use a silicone container or one with a locking mechanism to prevent light and air from entering.
2. Avoid Exposure to Light
Light or direct sunlight can also affect the flavor and aroma of coffee. To protect against unwanted effects, it’s best to store your instant coffee in dark places such as cupboards and kitchens. For maximum protection, use opaque containers that are not translucent.
3. Store in a Dry Place
Moisture is also the main enemy of instant coffee quality. For this reason, stay away from storage areas close to the sink or kitchen.
Also, avoid storing coffee near food ingredients or spices that have a strong smell because it will give your coffee beans an unpleasant odor.
4. Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes
Avoid storing coffee in places where the temperature fluctuates. This can increase the risk of the coffee beans becoming moist. For that, try to store coffee in places with stable temperatures.
What if we want to store a large amount of coffee? It’s best to provide two containers: one for daily use and one for long-term storage. That way, you won’t have to open the main container too often!
5. Don’t Store in the Fridge or Freezer
While many people store instant coffee in the fridge or freezer, the truth is that it deteriorates in flavor, texture, and overall quality.
Also read: 9 Tips & Tricks How to Store Green Coffee Beans Long Term
Enjoy Homemade Instant Coffee with Premium Quality!
That’s the complete guide on how to make instant coffee from coffee beans. By making instant coffee, you can customize the profile and quality according to your preferences.
Remember to store it using the proper technique to serve a warm cup of coffee with a unique taste. Delicious instant coffee is made from quality coffee beans. Start making your instant coffee at home with quality Indonesian coffee beans at FnB Coffee!
As the best exporter of coffee from Sumatra, we provide a variety of interesting coffee varieties from Indonesia that are fresh and of the best quality. Still, trying to understand which type of coffee best suits your taste? Find the complete list of our best-sellers coffee beans through the following link!
