Initial inventions of instant coffee failed to impress consumers because they couldn’t preserve the signature aroma and flavour of freshly brewed coffee. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that the instant coffee you love today was discovered. During that period, Brazil was left with a huge stock of unsold coffee beans due to disruptions in the global coffee trade. The Brazilian government worked together with Nestlé to come up with a way to use this unsold stock. Nestlé used the spray drying technique to make powdered instant coffee from brewed coffee. The newly invented coffee was then exported to the US, and eventually, Nestlé started manufacturing it for the European market.
This blog will explore how instant coffee is made, why it’s become so popular, some of the best instant coffee brands, how you can choose the right one according to your taste, and more.
Instant Coffee 101: How It's Made and Why It's Loved?
Instant coffee is made from real coffee beans. The soluble and volatile contents of the coffee beans are extracted, and then the water is removed. This process, known as freeze drying, allows instant coffee to retain more flavour. Freeze drying has replaced another old process known as spray drying. Once the water is removed, what’s left behind is powdered or concentrated soluble coffee powder.
However, the production process for instant coffee begins with roasting raw coffee beans to develop colour and flavour. This step is followed by grinding. Once the grinding is done, the ground coffee is brewed. This process is similar to regular coffee. After brewing, the coffee is heated until condensed into an extract. This extract is then frozen at around -40 degrees Celsius and broken into granules of uniform size. If any granules are oversized or undersized, they are reprocessed before they can be packaged.
The coffee manufacturing process has become quite advanced and sophisticated in recent years. With the latest technologies, the extraction and retention of volatile compounds responsible for their aroma and flavour have been enhanced. Even freeze-drying can’t preserve the compounds that give brewed coffee its classic aroma as they are highly volatile. That’s why caffeol is sprayed onto the granules to give instant coffee the same aroma as freshly brewed coffee. Caffeol is an oil produced by mechanically express-roasting beans or spent grounds.
You may also know instant coffee as soluble, powdered, or granulated coffee. Like other coffees, instant coffee also comes in a variety of roasts, including light, medium, and dark. If you’re looking for something with rich flavour and less or no caffeine, decaf instant coffee would be the right choice for you.
Why Instant Coffee? Top Perks You Should Know
Since 2017, the market value of instant coffee worldwide has increased almost every year. However, the global market value dropped to about USD 31.95 billion in 2020 but has now recovered. The global market value of instant coffee is expected to continue growing into 2026, reaching approximately USD 41.77 billion.
Here are some of the major perks of instant coffee:
Contains Antioxidants and Other Nutrients
Coffee is one of the biggest sources of antioxidants in the diet of modern consumers. The health benefits offered by coffee can be attributed to its high antioxidant content. Research shows that instant coffee contains many powerful antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid and polyphenols. Some antioxidants may even be present in higher quantities compared to other coffees due to the way instant coffee is processed. Instant coffee also contains small amounts of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B3, in addition to protein and calcium to some extent.
Contains Slightly Less Caffeine
Instant coffee contains slightly less caffeine compared to regular coffee. If you have used one teaspoon of instant coffee powder for a cup, it’ll contain 30 to 90 mg of caffeine. Contrarily, one regular cup of coffee will contain 70 to 140 mg of caffeine. But why does caffeine quantity matter? It’s because too much caffeine can cause anxiety, restlessness, tremors, rapid heartbeat, upset stomach, and even disrupt sleep.
If you want to cut back on caffeine, instant coffee may be a better choice for you. You can also go for decaf instant coffee, which contains even less caffeine.
Offers Several Health Benefits
There are several health benefits of drinking instant coffee. It can boost your brain function and even prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Nine large studies were conducted to study the link between drinking coffee and type 2 diabetes. It analysed data from 193,473 people, out of which 8,394 had developed diabetes. The study compared people who drank a lot of coffee with those who drank little to none.
The results revealed that people who drank six or more cups of coffee per day had a 35% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This was in comparison to those who drank only two cups of coffee or less. A 28% lower risk was recorded for people who drank four to six cups of coffee per day.
Drinking moderate cups of coffee can boost your metabolism, and may even help you burn fat. Coffee speeds up the process of metabolising macronutrients like lipids and glucose.
Other health benefits of instant coffee include reducing the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer, improving liver health, lowering the risk of depression, and promoting longevity.
How to Pick the Right Instant Coffee for Your Taste?
Here are some points to consider when choosing an instant coffee:
Aroma and Flavour
Coffee is available in a range of flavours, from mild to strong and even extremely bold. Knowing what flavours you prefer can help you pick the right one. You should also consider factors like sweetness and dairy consumption. A lot of factors can impact the aroma and flavour of instant coffee, including where it’s grown, the beans, the roasting method, the drying process, and more. Before you buy any instant coffee, ensure you know your preferences well. Some brands even offer assorted and customised flavours, including vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, etc.
Quality Matters
Quality is another important factor you should consider because the low-quality coffee bean powder you buy is usually over-roasted in large quantities. This can give your coffee a bitter or burnt taste. That’s why you should invest in a good, trusted brand and choose quality over price. You can also check whether the coffee is freeze-dried over spray-dried, as the former method generally produces a higher-quality taste.
Caffeine Content
Check the labels to find out the caffeine content of instant coffee. If caffeine level is important to you, it can help you choose the best fit. If you're looking for less caffeine, you should go for darker roasts compared to lighter roasts. You should also remember that even different brands and varieties of coffee can have highly varying caffeine levels.
Roasting Method
The level of roasting will determine the flavour of instant coffee. Lightly roasted coffee beans will give your coffee a fresh and acidic taste. Darker roasts will give your coffee a richer and deeper aroma and flavour, while a medium roast will give you a balanced taste. Choose your instant coffee depending on what you prefer.
The Best Instant Coffee Brands
Let’s explore the top three instant coffee brands in India:
Nescafé Classic
It is one of the most well-known instant coffees in the country. Nescafé Classic offers a strong yet well-balanced coffee flavour and taste, which has made it quite popular among consumers. Nescafé is known for its consistent quality of coffee, with each cup having the same strong and rich flavours as the last one. With Nescafé Classic, you get carefully selected beans that are medium-dark roasted.
Bru Instant Coffee
If you’re looking for a balanced taste of coffee with a blend of chicory and no bitterness, Bru Instant Coffee is the right choice for you. Its consistently rich aroma and smooth taste with ground Arabica and Robusta coffee beans have made it popular among consumers. Compared to other instant coffee powders in the market, Bru offers a milder taste. It’s ideal for people who like their coffee less intense.
Sleepy Owl Instant Coffee
Sleepy Owl is known for its premium instant coffee powder, and a range of coffee flavours it offers. It comes with an attractive and eco-friendly packaging and the coffee has no added preservatives. You can enjoy a balanced, smooth taste, with a little touch of sweetness, preferably for people who prefer cold brews. Prices of Sleepy Owl products are reasonable, which has made it popular among a wide range of audiences.
Evora Greens Instant Filter Coffee
This instant coffee powder offers a rich and aromatic flavour. It’s easy to prepare, making it perfect for you if you’re looking for a quick caffeine fix on a busy morning. You can elevate your daily coffee experience with a unique blend of ancient Indian herbs, including Ashwagandha, Banafsha, Turmeric, etc. Evora Greens locally sources its materials, making it a sustainable brand with a commitment to environmental consciousness. Its beverages are not only of high quality but also offer health benefits.
You can shop for Evora Greens instant filter coffee on Zop.
Bevzilla Instant Coffee Powder
Bevzilla ensures an exceptional quality of instant coffee, with its beans being ethically sourced from the finest coffee plantations worldwide. It not only guarantees the premium quality of instant coffee but also supports farmers and promotes eco-friendly practices. Its coffee beans are meticulously roasted by skilled and expert roasters, so you can enjoy a fine cup of coffee, with the same rich aroma and flavour, whenever you want.
You can shop for Bevzilla instant coffee powder on Zop.
Simple Ways to Elevate Your Instant Coffee Game
Here are some of the most effective ways to elevate your instant coffee game:
Use filtered water to make your coffee taste better.
Clean your coffee machine regularly to avoid coffee residue from blending with your next brew and compromising the flavours.
Instead of a sweetener, you can use cinnamon to improve the flavour of your coffee.
Add flavours like cocoa, cinnamon, and lemon zest to make your coffee more flavourful.
Grind the coffee beans just before brewing to ensure your coffee tastes as fresh as possible.
Make an espresso or a latte using a French press, instead of an expensive espresso maker.
You can use baking soda to clean your mugs to remove any coffee stains.
You can even add a pinch of salt to reduce the bitterness of the coffee beans.
ZOP: Your One-Stop Shop for the Best Instant Coffee Deals
ZOP is a one-of-a-kind online marketplace that brings consumers closer to their favourite D2C brands. It gives new and existing D2C brands great opportunities to tell their stories and connect with their target audience on a personal level. For customers like you, it offers a wide range of products from several categories – women’s and men’s fashion, beauty and wellness, healthcare, home and kitchen, electronics, food and beverage, and more.
If you’re looking for instant coffee, we offer the best deals and a range of options to choose from. What are you waiting for? Buy your favourite brand of instant coffee today!
Conclusion
Instant coffee has come a long way, offering a variety of flavours, aromas, and experiences to suit every taste. Whether you crave a bold espresso kick, a smooth and creamy latte, or a quick, no-fuss morning fix, there’s an instant coffee tailored just for your taste. By exploring top picks, you can discover the ideal blend that complements your lifestyle and satisfies your coffee cravings. Ensure you take the time to experiment and don’t hesitate to indulge in premium options for an elevated coffee experience. Shop at Shiprocket ZOP today and add a moment of comfort and delight to your day with your favourite instant coffee.
