Very few people can kickstart their working day without a steaming cup of coffee to awaken the senses. And, with links to various health benefits (more on that later!), coffee is one of the best ways to start the day. (1)
But it’s not always easy.
If you’re anything like us, you’ll be oh-so-tempted to spend a few extra minutes in bed each morning – even if it means skipping your morning cup of joe.
Truth is, making coffee is a fine art.
From the grind to the pour, the coffee-making process should not be rushed.
But there is a quicker and easier way to enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee in the morning.
Yep, you guessed it…
We’re talking about instant coffee.
What is instant coffee?
Instant coffee is a controversial topic among coffee aficionados, with some shunning its convenience as too quick, too easy, and therefore not “real.” In reality, instant coffee is the same as regular coffee with the added benefit of ease and speed.
A growing number of coffee connoisseurs recognize this and are becoming increasingly fond of the dehydrated alternative thanks to its fantastic flavor and unique benefits.
The benefits of instant coffee
Coffee has the power to transform your health and wellbeing, with links to reducing diabetes and depression, aiding weight management, and fine-tuning your focus.
According to Healthline, a daily cup of coffee has the potential to: (2)
- Increase energy levels
- Support heart health
- Reduce the risk of diabetes
- Protect against liver conditions
- Enhance athletic performance
- Decrease the risk of depression
- Support brain health
We explain these benefits in more detail over in our How Healthy is Instant Coffee? blog.
How to make instant coffee
Instant coffee goes through the normal roasting and grinding process of regular coffee, with one added benefit: the hard work is already done for you. Instant coffee is coffee that’s already been brewed, processed, and dried. Discover the process of making instant coffee in our How Is Instant Coffee Made? blog.
Different types of instant coffee
There are two different types of instant coffee, each defined by its processing method:
1. Spray-dried instant coffee
Spray-dried coffee is the quickest and most cost-effective type of instant coffee to produce. The spray-dry method evaporates coffee into tiny droplets using a high-temperature atomizer that leaves behind the powder.
Unfortunately, spray-dried instant coffee loses a significant amount of flavor during drying. The powder left behind is also incredibly fine and is therefore subject to an additional process to form suitable granules.
2. Freeze-dried instant coffee
Freeze-dried coffee is the highest quality instant coffee. Unlike spray-dried coffee, freeze-dried coffee retains all of its flavor and aroma.
To make freeze-dried instant coffee, the coffee extract is frozen until it’s completely solid and then broken into smaller granules. These frozen granules are dried in a mid-temperature vacuum where the frozen water rapidly expands into a gas in a process called sublimation that dries the coffee granules ready for consumption.
Since the process of freeze-drying instant coffee is more complex than spray-drying, it’s inevitably more expensive.
Instant coffee vs regular coffee
The best instant coffee has the potential to taste exactly like a homemade pot of coffee – if not better! Instant coffee has numerous advantages over regular coffee. These include:
Speed
Coffee connoisseurs know – and sometimes loathe – the lengthy process of grinding coffee beans, brewing coffee, and properly disposing of coffee grounds. It’s time-consuming at best, and inconvenient at worst.
Instant coffee cuts the time spent preparing a cup of coffee in half, drastically simplifying the tedious process. All you need is a cup of hot water and you’re good to go, making instant coffee the perfect alternative for those who are always busy or constantly on the move.
Cost
Let’s be real: high-quality coffee beans are expensive. Those who are on a tight budget or would simply prefer to spend their money elsewhere can make serious savings by switching from regular to instant coffee.
Shelf life
Instant coffee tends to have a longer shelf life than regular coffee. Once coffee beans are ground, if they are not consumed immediately, they begin to go stale and lose their flavor. Instant coffee, on the other hand, retains its quality flavor and aroma for up to two years when stored in a cool dry place.
Caffeine
There are many reasons to cut caffeine consumption. For one, it keeps the brain alert and makes sleeping difficult. For another, excessive caffeine consumption can lead to side effects such as restlessness, headaches, anxiety, and more.
Instant coffee often contains less caffeine than regular coffee and is popular with those who would like to reduce their caffeine intake. While one gram of regular coffee contains approximately ninety-two milligrams of caffeine, one gram of instant coffee can contain just sixty-three milligrams. Instant coffee even comes in decaf options – read more about that in our What is Decaf Instant Coffee? blog.
This makes instant coffee a fantastic option for coffee enthusiasts who don’t want to give up the goods altogether but still reduce their caffeine intake.
Phenols and flavonoids
Phenols and flavonoids are antioxidants that help to manage both blood pressure and blood sugar. (3) While the content of these antioxidants in coffee depends largely on how it is produced, a study conducted by the National Research of Medicine found instant coffee to have the highest average total phenolic content and antioxidant capacities. (4)
Blood sugar management
A controlled trial in 2012 found that instant coffee may help to reduce blood sugar. (5) As part of the trial, a group of overweight people were instructed to drink five cups of instant coffee each day and their blood sugar levels were monitored closely.
The study found that those who consumed instant coffee showed moderate improvements in their blood sugar levels compared to those who drank no coffee at all.
Best instant coffee
In today’s market, there are many instant coffee options to choose from. The best instant coffee is made by brands that care about both coffee and people.
Grateful Earth Coffee Super Brain Blend
We may be biased, but we highly recommend our Super Brain Blend.
Not only is it the best-tasting coffee on the market (don’t just take our word for it – check out our reviews), but it also contains six nootropics. Nootropics are powerhouse ingredients designed to improve cognitive function – more on that here.
The Super Brain Blend Instant Coffee tastes like regular coffee, but better! Sourced from specialty beans from the world’s best-growing regions, Super Brain Blend is well-known and loved among coffee connoisseurs and health enthusiasts alike.
Grateful Earth Coffee
We’re driven by a passion for living a high-vibration, holistic lifestyle. Our purpose is to help others radiate love and light into their life, finding empowerment in the opportunity to reconnect with the Earth’s natural healing gifts.
Embracing the power of medicinal plants, tonic herbs, and powerful adaptogens, Grateful Earth Coffee aims to restore and reinvigorate to transform consciousness, brain health, and physical well-being.
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