Instant coffee has been around since around 1890 and has been a giant industry for over a century. However, most of the instant coffee connoisseurs like it because of the convenience, not the taste. Let's learn how to make more delicious instant coffee. Be prepared to do a lot of experimentation.
Ingredients
- Water (bottled or distilled water may be best, depending on where you live)
- Instant coffee
- Milk or cream (optional)
- Sugar (optional)
- Flavors such as cocoa powder, vanilla or cinnamon (optional)
- Flavored creamer (optional)
- Flavored syrup (optional)
- Vanilla extract (optional)
Step
Method 1 of 2: Improving Coffee Making Techniques
Step 1. Buy quality instant coffee
Hardly any instant coffee can match ground coffee, but some of it is pretty decent quality. Try to look for packaging labeled "freeze-dried" or "freeze-drying" which usually produces a truer coffee taste than "spray drying". If the label doesn't say so, check the consistency of the coffee: granules are more likely to have been freeze-dried than ground coffee, although this theory isn't a guarantee. Lastly, the more expensive brands tend to taste better.
- If you're not sure where to start, try Medaglia d'Oro coffee or Starbucks VIA Colombia. These brands turn people into coffee enthusiasts more often than most.
- Instant espresso powder is a different product intended for cooking rather than drinking.
Step 2. Heat a pot of water
Don't use water that has been in the pitcher for a long time, as it can absorb bad flavors or become "bland" from repeated boiling. If you live in an area with hard water or if your tap water doesn't taste good, put it in a water purifier first.
If you don't have a kettle, heat a mug of water in the microwave before adding the coffee. Microwaved water can "explode" if it gets too hot. Prevent this by placing a wooden popsicle stick or a teaspoon of sugar in the cup
Step 3. Measure the instant coffee in the mug
Follow the instructions on the package the first time you try to make a brand of coffee. If the coffee tastes too strong or too runny, you can adjust the ratio of the coffee and water later. Most importantly, use the same spoon and mug every time you try to make one. If you always change the size of the tools, you will not be able to determine the ratio of coffee to water that is right for you.
If there's no serving suggestion on the package, try 1 full scoop (5 ml) of coffee per 240 ml of water
Step 4. Add and stir in some cold water (optional)
Add enough cold water to completely wet the coffee and stir until it forms a paste. This preparation gives your coffee a softer taste, although it doesn't always have a big effect.
Step 5. Pour hot water
Instant coffee is already extracted in water before drying, so the taste is fixed. This means that the brewing water temperature is less important than normal coffee. Instant coffee connoisseurs disagree about whether boiling water can affect the taste of coffee. If you're concerned, just let the pitcher cool for a few minutes before pouring it.
Step 6. Add sugar and milk (optional)
Even if you prefer black coffee, most instant coffees need some help from the flavors of other ingredients. Mix as much or as little as you like, making sure all the sugar is dissolved. If the instant coffee tastes very bad, cream will hide the flaws better than milk.
Step 7. Taste and adjust
The most effective way to improve the taste of your coffee is to keep experimenting and keep track of what you've tried. If the brew is too runny, try adding another teaspoon (5 ml) next time, or adding a pinch of sugar if the taste is too bitter. Instant coffee can never be special, but your choice can make it taste good.
Use the same mug and spoon every time you try to make coffee so you have a benchmark for the ratio of coffee to water
Step 8. Store leftover coffee in an airtight container
Moisture will spoil the taste of instant coffee. Save it by sealing the coffee container tightly.
If you live in a humid climate, move leftover coffee into smaller containers as the amount of coffee decreases. This will minimize the amount of air that comes into contact with the coffee. In very humid tropics, refrigerators may be drier than regular cabinets
Method 2 of 2: Modifying Instant Coffee
Step 1. Replace the water with milk
According to some people, instant coffee itself can't be helped. If the above technique doesn't help, replace the water with hot milk. Heat the milk on the stove until the edges start to boil. Pour into coffee grounds instead of hot water.
Keep an eye on the milk and stir occasionally. Unattended milk can overflow quickly
Step 2. Make the milk frothy to make a cappuccino
Your instant cappuccino won't impress Italians, but a little milk foam can really help the taste. If you don't have a handheld frother, make the milk and instant coffee frothy by stirring or shaking it in a bottle.
To make foam from the mixture using a spoon, put instant coffee and sugar in a cup, then add enough water to make a paste. Stir this mixture until it's frothy, then add the hot milk and mix well
Step 3. Add flavor
The strong, usually sweet taste is another way to hide the unpleasant taste of coffee. Here are some suggestions, including:
- Replace milk and sugar with flavored creamer, or homemade flavored milk.
- Add flavorings such as vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or cinnamon powder, stirring until well combined. Be careful, if you're only making a cup of coffee it's usually very easy to add too many of these additional ingredients.
- Replace the sugar with the flavored syrup of your choice. You can even buy liquid coffee essence or coffee extract for an extra kick. Keep in mind that commercial syrups often contain high-fructose corn syrup.
Step 4. Add coconut oil or butter (not butter) to your coffee
Not everyone is into this trend, but you might change your mind when you have to drink a bottle of instant coffee that tastes bad. After making instant coffee, put it in a blender with 5 ml of oil or butter and blend until frothy.
Tips
- Tea connoisseurs have long debated what to pour first: milk or hot water? This decision can affect the taste of instant coffee as well, if you use a lot of milk. Try them both to see which you like best.
- If you can't stand the taste of the instant coffee you've bought, don't throw it away. Coffee can be useful for cooking!
- Different types of sugar have quite different tastes. Add raw sugar or brown sugar to instant coffee for a richer molasses taste.
- Praise yourself for drinking instant coffee. Instant coffee produces less carbon emissions than drip-filtered coffee!
