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How Do You Make Your Instant Coffee Taste Better?
We've made a list of easy ways to make your instant coffee more enjoyable.
Published September 3, 2021
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Joachim Estal
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Most of us consider coffee a daily necessity. However, with everything more fast-paced nowadays, it seems almost impossible to have a perfect, manually brewed cup of coffee all the time. Brewing your own coffee at home can certainly be a little too time-consuming. At the same time, constant visits to the local café can become impractical too.
Instant coffee remains the quickest caffeine fix available nowadays. Still, it seems to have a bad reputation for tasting chalky and bitter. So, what are we supposed to do so we can enjoy this affordable, convenient and instant option?
What Is Instant Coffee?
Before getting to the list of suggestions on making your instant coffee better, let's first learn what instant coffee is.
Instant coffee was first created in Great Britain in the 1700s. However, it was commercially available in the American market in the 1880s, specifically as a shared ration for Civil War soldiers.
Instant coffee is a type of coffee made from dried coffee extract. It can be made in two ways. The first one is through liquid coffee sprayed through hot air, which dries the coffee into grains. The second one is made through freeze-drying coffee, which is more gentle and produces a better flavor.
Instant Coffee Vs. Ground Coffee
While both types of coffee look very similar to each other, they are actually made very differently. Both begin in the roasting stage of the beans. After which, these beans are ground, ready to be brewed to make a cup of coffee.
Instant coffee undergoes an extra step in the process. After the roasted beans are ground and brewed into liquid form, the coffee is dried out via hot air or freezing, turning to instant coffee.
8 Ways To Make Your Instant Coffee Better
In this article, we are going to discuss what you can do to make your cup of instant coffee better.
Cold Water
We usually dilute our instant coffee in hot water. With the water's high temperature, we can ensure the ground coffee dissolves properly. But did you know that diluting your instant coffee in a little cold water makes a cup even better? Do this hack just before you add hot water to remove any unwanted acidity and bitterness that is present in instant coffee.
Better Proportions
Every instant coffee brand offers a suggested coffee to water ratio, so it's always best to read the manufacturer's recommended recipe. Generally, most coffees go with 1-2 teaspoons of coffee for 1 cup of water. Still, you could also tweak this according to your preference.
You can add an extra scoop if you want to have the bold and straightforward body and flavor of coffee to really shine through. Otherwise, tone it down by lowering the number of scoops.
Milk Or Creamer
Simply adding your instant coffee with creamer or milk will create a whole new beverage. Milk tends to add body to the mouthfeel and minimizes the bitterness usually derived from instant coffee. In addition, it makes a creamier texture on the palate. If you want things to get more exciting, use half-and-half milk or a splash of heavy cream. Who doesn't like a creamy cup of joe?
Sweeteners
Adding sugar to your instant coffee is the next best way to lower the bitterness usually present in instant coffee. Suppose you want to go for something either healthier or more exciting. In that case, you can choose other alternatives such as honey, agave, maple syrup, or even condensed milk.
Make It Iced
When the weather seems too hot, it's always nice to have a glass of iced coffee in your hands. You can simply mix your coffee granules with hot water and pour the blend into a glass full of ice. Top the beverage with a splash of fresh milk or a dollop of whipped cream, and you have a refreshing drink ideal for the hotter seasons.
Cocoa Powder
If you're a fan of mocha, you can also do this with your instant coffee. You can add a scoop or two of cocoa powder into your recipe, and you get yourself a treat right away. A little chocolate makes everything seem magical–a beverage that will bring back the child in you!
Butter
Keto-diet is a current trend in the coffee industry nowadays. And so, adding butter to a cup of joe is not questioned in coffeehouses. You can actually do this with your instant coffee too. The butter will tone down your coffee's bitterness as well as give a silkier mouthfeel to your cup.
Frothed Milk
Adding frothed milk to your coffee is another method to improving the overall taste of your coffee. This will get rid of the instant coffee's overpowering acidity.
You can simply use a French press if you don't have an existing espresso machine to steam your milk and create microfoam. All you have to do is put your heated milk inside the beaker, place the lid on, and move the plunger up and down. And you can instantly get your own version of a cappuccino.
Final Thoughts
Instant coffee may not be as good as your usual order at your favorite coffee shop, but with the right tweaks, you can create boundless possibilities. It's easy, quick, and won't cost you a fortune.
Hopefully, this article helped you create a tastier cup of coffee with the list above. You can add many other things, such as orange juice, herbs like cinnamon, liquor, etc., to make your coffee experience a lot more exciting.
About the author
Joachim Estal
8-year barista for a world-class coffee chain from the Philippines. Passionate writer and coffee champion. "Coffee has always been one of my biggest love interests in life. And I am here to share it with all of you through this platform."
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