Rating of instant coffee. 10 best cans and outright crap

09/12/201904/13/2020 Maria Ivanova 0 comments

According to statistics, 80% of Russians prefer to drink instant coffee. It takes very little time to prepare, and its taste is practically no different from grain cooked in a Turk. There are a huge number of varieties of this invigorating drink on store shelves, each with its own pros and cons. A rating of sales and preferences of real consumers will help determine the best instant coffee.

Egoiste Noir

Price 400 rubles.

The well-known German manufacturer and in 2020 provides maximum production control at all stages of the process, so Egoiste Noir has incredible taste. Arabica beans grown in the vastness of Kenya are used in production; the beans are processed by deep freezing. Egoiste Noir belongs to the premium class, which affects the cost. A glass jar preserves the properties of granules as much as possible - the finished drink is practically no different from a freshly brewed one.

Pros:

• Excellent quality of raw materials.
• 100% Arabica.
• The aroma and taste are identical to natural.
• Dark rich color.
• Noticeable invigorating effect.

Minuses:

• High price.

What is instant coffee

To brew delicious and aromatic coffee, you need to grind the roasted coffee beans in a coffee grinder, pour a few spoons into the cezve (turk), add spices if desired, pour in water and put on fire. The most important thing is not to let the drink “escape”.

The cooking process may seem simple, but it takes time and requires constant attention. It’s much easier to use instant coffee – add hot water and you’re done! Convenient, simple and delicious! Moreover, the drink is as close in taste to natural coffee as possible.

Humanity has been familiar with coffee since ancient times, but it appeared in instant form relatively recently. Who, when and where invented this product? Revealing the secrets of history...

When was it invented

The first mention of the new product dates back to 1852, when in one of the issues of the newspaper “Caucasus”, published in Tiflis (the old name of the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi), a note was published about “a newly invented English preparation of COFFEE in bars, completely ready, convenient for consumption on the road and not subject to deterioration by cold or heat.”

Judging by the fact that no one else had heard of this product, it was not in demand, but the idea was in the air.

Almost forty years later, in 1890, David Strang, living in New Zealand, even received a patent for instant coffee. Unfortunately, he had no commercial spirit, and the drink remained for consumption in a narrow circle.

A little later, in 1901, the Japanese chemist Satori Kato, who lived in Chicago at that time, presented his “version” of making instant coffee, which he told the world about at the Pan-American Exhibition.

And the drink was “launched” a few years later. Belgian emigrant George Constant Louis Washington firmly settled in the United States back in 1897, therefore he is considered an American inventor, better known as the creator of the technology for making an instant drink from coffee beans. It was he who, back in 1906, was the first to begin mass production of instant coffee, and in 1910 he was already the owner of the G. Washington Coffee Company.

The product was widely advertised and in demand, despite the fact that the taste was not nearly as good. Profits skyrocketed when Washington secured military contracts and became the sole supplier of the drink to the American army during World War I. Soldiers called instant coffee "George's mug" and praised it for its invigorating effect.

After some time, George Washington had competitors, and he had to not only share his laurels with them, but also his profits. Currently, only a small circle of people remember about this inventor and his company, while the products of a competing company have become known throughout the world and still do not lose popularity.

Who was able to move the “coffee king”? In the late thirties, shortly before World War II, the Swiss company Nestlé, commissioned by the Brazilian government, which was concerned about a surplus of unsold coffee, created the Nescafé trademark.

Brazilians suffered from the fact that huge reserves of coffee beans were lost due to the impossibility of storing them well. I did research for seven years and finally found a way out of the current situation. The beans were processed into instant coffee, preserving all the beneficial properties as much as possible. The product withstood long-term storage and easily turned into a high-quality drink by adding water.

During WWII, a huge part of the company's products went to supply the US Army, and after the end of the war it began to explore the world. I must say, successfully.

Manufacturing Features

Instant coffee is prepared as follows.
The grains are fried, allowed to cool for three to four hours and ground into powder (one grain in diameter should be 0.5-1.1 mm, otherwise a burnt taste will appear). Ground coffee is placed in extraction chambers, where hot water (up to 180 °C) is supplied under pressure. Roughly speaking, coffee is brewed, but on an industrial scale. The result is a concentrated coffee extract.

Now all that remains is to evaporate the excess liquid and get dry instant coffee. They do this in several ways. We will talk about them below.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of instant coffee include:

• speed and ease of preparation;
• long shelf life;
• small amount of caffeine, which may please some consumers.

Flaws:

• For the production of instant coffee, the lowest quality raw materials are used;
• almost complete lack of aroma, to compensate for it, manufacturers add artificial or natural coffee oils and flavors;
• weak and unsaturated taste, little reminiscent of natural coffee made from beans;
• the caffeine content is less than in grain, so bitterness is felt more;
• presence of preservatives;
• increased acidity of the drink.

Moscow Coffee House with Arabica

Price from 240 rubles

A domestic brand that produces various types of invigorating drink has also gained popularity in Russia. Multi-colored granules of irregular shape can be seen through thick glass; the label indicates high-quality raw materials - premium Arabica. Coffee lovers compare the Moscow Arabica Coffee House with the legendary Bushido, but the Japanese-made crystals are much denser.

Pros:

• Reliable protective membrane.
• Affordable price.
• The perfect balance of qualities.
• Subtle aroma.

Minuses:

• There is no information on the label where exactly Arabica is grown.
• Faint smell.

Jardin Colombia Medellin

Price from 180 rubles.

Despite the budget price, Jardin Colombia Medellin has good taste. A glass jar allows you to evaluate the color and shape of the granules before purchasing, which consumers consider a great advantage. The Swiss company specializes in the production of the grain variety, but also produces a decent freeze-dried variety.

The packaging contains information about the composition of the blend, the Strenght level - this parameter indicates the richness of aroma, taste, and strength. Jardin Colombia Medellin is marked with a “five” - the variety deservedly received this rating thanks to rave reviews from gourmets.

Pros:

• Pleasant chocolate notes.
• Pairs perfectly with milk or cream.
• Relatively inexpensive.
• Fragrant, strong.
• Uniform color of granules.

Minuses:

• Too rich a taste that only coffee lovers will appreciate.

Advantages

There are several benefits of iced coffee over regular coffee. It is convenient to transport. Comes in huge containers as well as individual bags that can be carried in pockets, purses or lunch containers. Plus, coffee doesn't require any equipment. All you need is a cup and hot water. It cooks faster than custard. It can be consumed as soon as the crystals dissolve. It's difficult to get the strength of coffee wrong, as amateurs can simply add larger kernels or milk until they reach the desired strength.

Some argue that the freeze-dried version is similar in caffeine content to the natural parts. In fact, there is not much difference. The instant drink contains 56 mg of caffeine, dissolved in a regular glass of boiling water. It will certainly help to cheer you up, release adrenaline and serotonin. People drink coffee to experience positive emotions and relieve fatigue. Many negotiations and frank conversations take place over a cup of Arabica.

Positive properties include: improved digestion, increased endurance and muscle tone. Scientists say that people who drink coffee are less likely to get cancer.

UCC The Blend 117

Price 520 rubles.

The delicious UCC The Blend 117 made it into the TOP 10 thanks to the author’s technology for processing raw materials. Intensive and long-term roasting gives instant coffee a rich aroma, a pleasant tart taste with a slight bitterness. Contains 100% Arabica beans grown in Ecuador and Brazil. Beautiful, smooth granules without foreign tones or impurities.

Pros:

• Dense foam when cooked.
• Presentable jar with rounded corners.
• Reliable protective foil.
• Medium roasting.
• Pleasant notes of fruit, velvety aftertaste.

Minuses:

• Not always available in retail stores.

Bushido Original

Price 550 rubles.

Next in the ranking of the best instant coffee is Bushido Original from a Japanese company. Initially, the variety was produced only for its own market, but over time the geolocation of sales expanded significantly.

The grains for the final product are grown in South America, so Bushido Original will delight you with its rich shade, pronounced aroma, and harmonious balance.

Pros:

• Original multi-colored granules that dissolve in a few seconds.
• No bitterness or sourness.
• A good quality glass jar with a raised mark.
• Dense membrane at the neck.

Minuses:

• The highest price on the market.

Types of instant coffee

Coffee extract can be dried in several ways, resulting in different types of drink.

Photo: https://pixabay.com/photos/coffee-cafe-coffee-powder-grounded-206142/

Powder

Water is removed from the coffee extract by hot drying. The extract is sprayed into a special chamber, where it is treated with a stream of high-temperature air. The result is fine, dry coffee powder.

Granulated

To obtain granules, coffee powder is processed with steam, knocking small particles into lumps. It is this form of instant coffee that consumers most often prefer.

Sublimated

The coffee extract is cooled to a temperature of -6 °C, applied in a thin layer to a drum or steel belt and deep frozen to -40 °C. During rapid freezing (up to 4 minutes), light coffee particles of fine fraction are released. Long-term freezing (10 minutes to 3 hours) forms large brown granules.

The ice is crushed and placed in a vacuum, in which the water instantly expands and is removed by convection.

This method is quite labor-intensive, so the resulting product is sometimes more expensive than natural coffee beans.

Davidoff Cafe Rich Aroma

Price 370 rubles.

The list of the best invigorating drinks has been supplemented by a product from a Swiss brand. Presentable glass packaging is not the only bonus of Davidoff Cafe Rich Aroma. Medium-dark roasted Arabica gives a special astringency with a rich aftertaste. The product fully reflects the founder’s policy - to be interested in the wishes of customers and correct shortcomings. Years later, the buyer receives the same Davidoff Cafe Rich Aroma with many advantages.

Pros:

• Spicy fruity notes.
• Light sourness.
• Completely dissolves.
• Foil with the manufacturer's logo.
• Pleasant warm shade of granules.
• Bright design.

Minuses:

• High price.

Jacobs Monarch Millicano

Price from 230 rubles.

True coffee lovers advise choosing Jacobs Monarch Millicano. It is prepared using innovative “ground plus instant” technology. Each granule contains tiny particles of coffee beans, which creates intensity and richness. Jacobs Monarch Millicano stands out not only for its unique taste, but also for its bright, attractive design. The German brand is famous for its unsurpassed quality - the products on the market will not disappoint.

Pros:

• Noble aftertaste without obsessive bitterness or astringency.
• Environmentally friendly raw materials - a mixture of robusta and arabica.
• Pleasant notes of vanilla and dark chocolate.
• Tamper proof.

Minuses:

• A slight sediment due to the presence of ground grains.

Grandos Exclusive

Price 280 rubles.

Sublimated Grandos Exclusive of the highest quality is made from Arabica beans. Average price category and good quality are the secret of the success of the German brand in the Russian market. Bright rich aroma that resembles a natural drink. The granules dissolve completely, leaving no solid particles or unpleasant residue.

When brewing, a persistent foam is formed, which will be another bonus to the pronounced aftertaste with a slight sourness.

Pros:

• Glass container with a tight lid.
• Delicate fruity notes.
• Reliable protection against counterfeiting.
• The quality meets international standards.

Minuses:

• Uneconomical consumption if you need to make strong coffee.

How to choose good instant coffee

In order not to be disappointed in the product, you should adhere to the following rules:

• always carefully read the information on the label - the inscriptions should be clear and not blurry, the barcode should correspond to the country of origin;
• make sure that the packaging is intact and undamaged;
• pay attention to the release and storage dates to avoid purchasing an expired product;
• disposable 3-in-1 bags are a surrogate, we are not talking about quality here at all - avoid such purchases;
• coffee made from Arabica tastes better than from Robusta, but contains significantly less caffeine;
• if the smell of the drink resembles bread or muffin, it means it contains barley grains - it’s better not to buy this kind of coffee again;
• the smell of burnt cork indicates that the manufacturer is over-roasting the beans;
• good coffee should completely dissolve in water without forming sediment, not only in hot water (in 30 seconds), but also in cold water (in three minutes).

Now you know how to choose coffee.

Carte Noire Original

Price 350 rubles.

The legendary manufacturer Kraft Foods offered the market Carte Noire Original with French character and German quality. It is based on the idea of ​​producing a refined and soft drink with persistent rich notes. The composition of Carte Noire Original is 100% Arabica, which brings the freeze-dried variety closer to the natural quality. Rich aroma, pleasant aftertaste, smooth delicate foam will conquer the most demanding gourmets.

Pros:

• Dense granules without powder residue.
• Richness with light sourness.
• Original jar with a tight lid.

Minuses:

• There is a high risk of purchasing a fake, so it is important to pay attention to the brand name.

The most popular brands and manufacturers

• Nescafe Gold. The most famous brand. Thanks to Nescafé, instant coffee has been enjoyed all over the world for over eighty years.
• Jacobs. German manufacturer. A distinctive feature of coffee is its softness and unobtrusive sourness.
• Bushido. The brand is a mystery. Since all the cans and packaging are designed in Japanese style, the consumer believes that this is Japanese coffee. In fact, this brand belongs to the Russian company Hors' Ltd (Coffee House HORS), and the coffee itself is produced in Switzerland. By the way, it is considered premium.
• Carte Noire. Initially, it was a French company that produced amazingly delicious coffee. Then the company was bought and repurchased several times. In principle, who its owner is at the moment is absolutely not important, the main thing is that this brand in our country is still manufactured at a plant in the Leningrad region, which is owned by. In Europe, this brand belongs to Lavazza. In general, everything is confusing.
• "Indian Gold" Trademark from Unisel Co. Coffee has been popular among our citizens since the times of the USSR due to its excellent quality and affordable price.
• Moccona. Founded in 1753. This brand has been known in our country since the 90s. The product is still in demand not only here, but also in many countries around the world. It specializes in both coffee beans and instant formulations.

Today Pure Arabica

Price 240 rubles.

The taste of Today Pure Arabica from a German manufacturer is as reminiscent of grain as possible due to the 100% Arabica content in the composition. Light brown granules dissolve almost instantly, which indicates high quality. An ergonomic glass jar with a tight-fitting lid reliably protects the dry substrate from moisture. Today's Pure Arabica is medium-bodied but not bitter and has a harmonious balance.

Pros:

• The smell is identical to natural grains.
• The exclusive Aroma Optima technology is used, which maximally preserves the properties of primary raw materials.
• Nice packaging design.

Minuses:

• It is profitable to buy only for a small family.

Definition of the concept

A drink made from beans has been found to be harmful for people suffering from hypertension. In addition, such a product is considered not very healthy. It is created under high pressure. At this point, useful molecules are destroyed. To get this look, waste from natural grains is used. The freeze-dried product is made from more expensive ingredients. Thanks to this, the taste remains richer and richer. To prepare it, they use not aromatic Arabica, but Robusta. This means that the product is cheaper.

The manufacturing method is relatively easy. The suspension is placed in large vats where the brewing process takes place. The drink is then passed through evaporators to make it highly concentrated. Next, the resulting product is foamed and frozen. The concentrated coffee is ground into particles and the ice crystals inside are removed during production.

Sublimation allows you to preserve nutrients in vegetables and fruits. If the product is frozen and then dried, then additional thermal grinding is not required, which kills the maximum number of living organisms. With coffee the technology is a little different. Sublimation occurs over the extract, not the grains. By boiling the drink for a long time, then freezing and drying it, you can get a high-quality product.