Instant coffee is made from real coffee beans that have gone through a complex process. First, the grains are fried, crushed, and then treated with boiling water. The finished type of product – powder, granular or sublimated – depends on further procedures.
The taste and aroma of any type of instant product is quite pleasant, although it is clearly inferior to the natural one. But if you experiment a little with the ingredients, you can create your own original and tasty recipe for your favorite drink.
Characteristic
Production
When a plant produces a soluble extract, the grains go through several stages of processing. What is described in the article “What is coffee made from?”
As a result, coffee granules or powder lose the taste properties that are characteristic of the beans. But we will teach you how to make a tasty, aromatic and healthy drink from instant coffee.
Before we tell you how to brew the instant version, let’s find out its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of the drink: it is quickly prepared, has a rich taste, and can be diluted with various ingredients.
There are more disadvantages compared to its natural grain counterpart. The drink has an adverse effect on kidney function. It washes away calcium, magnesium, potassium, disrupts the water balance, and promotes the formation of stones.
No matter how tasty the powdered extract is prepared, it should not be drunk by people who have problems with the cardiovascular system: coronary heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents.
It is not recommended to drink instant coffee for people with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and duodenum: cholecystitis, gastritis, colitis, ulcers.
The limitation is due to the increased acidity of the product - 3-4 pH. The normal value for the gastrointestinal tract is 5–7 pH, for the duodenum – 5.6–7.9 pH.
Types and selection criteria
Coffee powder extract may contain bean waste and food additives (E636) to enhance the aftertaste and aroma. The finished hot drink emits a noticeable chemical smell, and the taste becomes cloying.
Interesting! Why can coffee sour?
Continuing the topic, we recommend that you read the article “Freeze-dried coffee: what does it mean and how is it made.”
The article “The most important things about granulated coffee” contains information about this type.
When choosing delicious coffee from powder, sublimate or granules, pay attention to trusted brands and user reviews.
Before preparing, pay attention to the additives and brewing method indicated on the package.
Cooking accessories
The difference between instant and natural products lies not only in the composition, but also in the method of preparation. The ground coffee is brewed in a coffee machine or geyser coffee maker. To get delicious natural Turkish coffee, you need to choose the right grind - it should be very fine, then all the aromatic substances get into the water and do not remain inside the particles.
Insoluble coffee can be brewed simply in a mug, but the taste will be very different from what you want. In this case, extraction occurs slowly, and the drink has time to cool down by the time the taste becomes rich. If you don’t have a coffee maker at home, you need to buy a pack of ultra-fine ground instant coffee.
Video: How to brew delicious coffee without a Turk and a coffee maker
Devices such as a French press greatly facilitate the process of brewing at home. The walls of the mug are made of special glass, which maintains the temperature, allowing the drink to gain time and gain flavor.
Cooking secrets, milk and foam
To properly prepare instant coffee at home, warm the cup well, for example, pour boiling water over it.
Pour 1-2 teaspoons of granules into an empty container, add sugar as desired. Stir the resulting mixture, pour a couple of tablespoons of hot water.
Grind everything again until smooth, add water to the desired level. Its temperature should not exceed 90 degrees. Boiling water is not recommended, as it interrupts the taste and makes the drink “run away.”
If you like to drink it with milk, it is better to add it warm. When cold, it dulls the aroma.
To prepare the foam, instead of granulated sugar, use powder, 1-2 teaspoons more. You will need 50 milliliters of cold clean water for a couple of spoons of sugar, along with a spoon of coffee extract.
You will have to whisk the foam by hand for a long time and vigorously. To make several servings, it is better to use a blender. The height of the “cap” will be greater if you take powder rather than sublimate or granules.
Express recipe: how to make instant coffee without Turks in a few minutes
Content:
“The favorite drink of the civilized world”, “black as night and sweet as sin”, “an invigorating elixir that brings you back to life in the early morning and helps you shake off the remnants of sleep” - all this is about coffee. Perhaps there is not a single country in the world whose inhabitants would not love this aromatic drink. You can cook it in different ways: in a special machine, in a Turk, in a saucepan, or simply in a ceramic or porcelain cup. If one morning you find that your coffee maker is broken, do not rush to despair: there are a lot of alternative cooking recipes. Read our article about how to brew espresso correctly, quickly and, most importantly, deliciously.
Guatemala DECAFF (decaf)
- 4.6
Brazil Mogiana
- 5
Brazil Santos
- 4.9
Cooking recipes: classics
Let's look at how to properly brew instant coffee according to a standard recipe. To prepare, take crushed powder or freeze-dried granules and hot water.
Sequence: choose a thick-walled container, pour in a couple of spoons of granules or powder. Boil water, let it cool to 85-90 degrees. Pour the liquid into a cup, add granulated sugar as desired.
Interesting! How to make a latte in a coffee machine
If you are heating water that has already boiled, remove the kettle when bubbles first form, which will save time.
Infuse the coffee in the cup for 2-3 minutes.
Other drinks are also prepared from instant coffee: cinnamon, Egyptian, iced, cappuccino. Let's take a closer look.
Making coffee in an AeroPress
Choosing an Aeropress
The AeroPress is one of the newest ways to brew coffee. The device was invented in 2005 by Aerobie and has become so popular that since 2008, annual championships have been held for brewing coffee using the AeroPress.
There are no difficulties with choosing an AeroPress: the device is quite simple, the product configuration may change slightly from year to year, the manufacturer adds additional stirring spoons, replaceable filters, and funnels. The reason coffee brewing competitions are possible is because of the intricacies of using this simple device.
Cooking in an AeroPress
Grind 1.5 tablespoons of coffee and pour into the flask. The grind should be a little coarser than for Turks. You need to prepare 200 ml of hot water - not boiling water, the temperature should be about 90 °C. If you have a kettle with a thermostat, you can select the exact temperature. If not, wait three minutes after the kettle has boiled.
Fill the coffee with water. And from this moment the magic begins. The taste and strength of the drink depends on how long you keep the coffee in the flask and when you start stirring. It is no coincidence that a special application was released for iOS, telling how long coffee should be kept in an AeroPress.
With milk and cinnamon
Let's figure out how to brew instant coffee using this recipe. The technology is similar to the previous version. Prepare:
- 2 tablespoons of coffee extract;
- 40-50 milliliters of milk with 3% fat content;
- granulated sugar optional;
- cinnamon on the tip of a knife.
- 160-170 milliliters of water.
Pour the powder, sublimate or granules along with sugar into a cup. Fill the ingredients to ¾ of the container with hot water. While the liquid is infused, heat the milk. Pour it into a cup and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Instead of milk, you can use cream.
Quantity of coffee
The amount of coffee directly affects the quality of the drink. The most suitable option for yourself can be determined by selection. Make 2-3 test brews with different amounts of coffee and decide for yourself how much you need. If in doubt, add another spoonful. Believe me, it won't get worse. But too small an amount may not have the most favorable effect on the quality of the drink.
Most “coffee lovers” consider the ideal ratio to be 1.5-2 tablespoons of coffee per glass of water.
Egyptian style with foam
To prepare a delicious Egyptian version, you will need the following ingredients:
- coffee extract – 2-3 spoons;
- granulated sugar - optional;
- warm milk – 100 milliliters;
- mineral water – 100 milliliters.
There are several nuances to how to prepare coffee according to the Egyptian recipe. Pour the powder and sugar with warm water up to 40 degrees. Do not take liquid from the tap.
How to make foam correctly is indicated above. To make it fuller, use a straw. Lower it to the bottom of the vessel and rotate quickly.
Spoon the finished foam onto the top of the contents of the cup. The drink can be served.
How to make delicious instant coffee
The first step is to decide on the type of product. It is advisable that it does not contain large amounts of caffeine. To improve the taste, it is recommended to add cream, milk or sweet syrup.
An invigorating instant drink does not have such a rich aroma and taste as its “natural” counterpart. To bring these parameters as close as possible to the ideal, you need to purchase a granular version.
Making instant coffee is a simple and quick process. Gourmets nicknamed it “the lazy man’s method.” However, if brewed correctly, this drink will also turn out delicious.
Classic brewing option
To treat yourself to an invigorating drink, you don’t have to go to an expensive cafe, because you can make it at home.
According to the traditional recipe, instant coffee is prepared from two ingredients: boiling water and the finished product. Sugar is added to taste.
Instructions:
- Choose a mug with thick walls. Place 1-2 tablespoons of granulated raw materials into it.
- Boil the water. Pour it into a cup after cooling briefly. The optimal temperature for brewing instant product is 85-90 degrees. If you want to save time, do not bring the water to a boil by removing it from the heat before bubbles begin to form.
- The drink should steep for 2-3 minutes.
- Sweeten it (optional).
There are different recipes for instant coffee. We will get acquainted with the most interesting ones below.
With ice
If you want to relax and think about something mundane on a hot summer day, we recommend making this drink. For this you will need:
- granulated sugar;
- soluble powder;
- milk;
- vanillin;
- purified water.
Step by step method:
- Take a cup and place coffee powder, granulated sugar and vanillin at the bottom.
- Boil the water. Pour it over the ingredients in the container. Stir and cool the mixture.
- Pour the contents of the cup into an ice cube tray and freeze it.
- Warm the milk. Add a few coffee cubes prepared the day before. Wait until they are completely melted.
There is another, simpler option for preparing such a drink. It consists of adding frozen water to strong, concentrated espresso.
With milk and cinnamon
If prepared correctly, such a product will have an amazing aftertaste and aroma. Components:
- instant coffee;
- granulated sugar (optional);
- ground cinnamon;
- water;
- milk.
Step-by-step brewing method:
- You need to put coffee and sugar in the selected container. Fill it 3/4 full with boiling water. Infuse the ingredients for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, put a saucepan with milk on the fire. When the product begins to boil, foam will begin to form on the top.
- Use a whisk to whisk the milk.
- Add it to your drink.
- Finish the composition by adding ground cinnamon.
Alternatively, you can use cream instead of milk. But keep in mind that the calorie content will be much higher.
Cooking Egyptian style with foam
Required ingredients:
- instant coffee;
- granulated sugar;
- warm milk;
- mineral water.
Step-by-step brewing method:
- To make delicious instant coffee, following the Egyptian recipe, you need to pour the powder and sugar not with hot, but with warm water. Don't get it from the tap!
- Use a straw to make a rich lather. Place it at the bottom of the coffee glass and start spinning quickly.
- After obtaining a creamy composition, add hot milk to the container.
Correct serving involves placing the previously made foam on the top of the glass.
To improve the taste, you can add grated chocolate or coconut.
Cappuccino
At home, this drink can be prepared in two ways. The first is to add ice and use a blender.
In a separate container, mix cappuccino powder, chocolate syrup, sugar and milk. Beat the mixture well. Frozen water can also be ground in a blender or added to a ready-made drink.
To improve the taste, it makes sense to include maple topping in the list of ingredients. Complete the composition by sprinkling grated chocolate on top of the coffee.
To make hot cappuccino, you should also purchase a powder form of this drink. The raw materials are filled with hot water and milk. Take equal amounts of liquids. Sweeten them as desired.
If you want to make coffee like in a cafe, you need to make foam. This requires whisking the milk for a long time and intensively. An easier option is to use whipped cream.
Using ice
Let's look at how to make a cold version of the usual coffee. The following ingredients will be required:
- powder – 5 spoons;
- granulated sugar – 5 spoons;
- water – 250 milliliters;
- milk – 250 milliliters;
- vanilla - on the tip of a knife.
Mix the powdered extract with sugar, add hot water, stir again and let cool. Add vanilla, pour liquid into ice cube trays, freeze.
Add the resulting ice to cold milk and refrigerate for a quarter of an hour. During this time, the ice will melt and the components will mix together.
Interesting! How to brew coffee using alternative methods
This kind of treat is a great refresher in the summer heat. It is advisable to drink it through a straw.
Don't start with experiments
What does a modern person do who has never brewed coffee in his life? Of course, he searches for information on the Internet (you probably came across this article while looking for information on how to brew coffee correctly). So, the Internet often recommends various options for making coffee, and the advice can differ radically from each other.
We recommend that before you start experimenting, you first learn how to brew the most ordinary coffee, without any “bells and whistles”, additives or unconventional methods. But when you have already learned how to easily (and especially the Internet) brew yourself a tasty and aromatic drink, only then try to experiment, looking for and finding new shades and variations of taste.
Making the right cappuccino
Cappuccino from powdered raw materials can be made in two ways: cold and hot.
The first method is to churn the ingredients with ice. In a mug or other suitable container, mix 2 tablespoons of powder, 50 milliliters of chocolate syrup, 150-200 milliliters of milk and granulated sugar to taste.
Beat the resulting mixture thoroughly with a blender. Add frozen water at the end, crush it first. Finish the composition with grated chocolate.
To brew a hot cappuccino, pour 2 tablespoons of the powder mixture with hot water and milk. Take both liquids in equal parts - 100-150 milliliters. Add sugar to taste. To make the drink as if it came from a coffee shop, first prepare the foam. How to do this is discussed above.
A few simple tips
Finally, I would like to give a few tips that will help you brew truly delicious coffee. After all, coffee is a kind of art that should be given enough of your time and attention.
To end up with a great drink:
- It is better to add sugar to a heated pot before adding water (many people add sugar to an already brewed drink).
- To get a dense and thick foam, you can warm up the coffee several times (however, make sure that your drink does not boil).
- Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, salt and hot pepper will help you find new flavors. However, be careful with additives!
- The cup you plan to pour the coffee into must be preheated. It is enough to pour boiling water into it before starting cooking, and then pour it out just before pouring the drink.
- Make sure that the heat intensity during the cooking process is minimal.
- Let the drink brew before drinking. Literally three minutes is enough. You can even cover the cups with saucers during this time.
We hope our tips will help you understand the intricacies of such an issue as brewing coffee, and you will be able to not only enjoy your favorite drink properly brewed, but also treat it to others who will appreciate your efforts!
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Purover
A method similar to the Chemex brewing method. The difference is that when a filter is inserted into a Chemex, it must fit snugly into the flask, whereas a pour-over has small raised grooves in the funnel into which the filter is inserted. When the filter is inserted, you need to pour water on top and make sure that it fits only along the grooves and that there is oxygen access inside. A pourover is a regular funnel into which a filter is inserted. You can put it in a cup or a teapot at once - wherever is convenient for you. Add 8-9 grams of medium-ground coffee per 100 grams of water. Another difference between a pour-over and a Chemex is that it is smaller and more compact, so you can put it anywhere and take it with you. In 4-5 minutes your coffee is ready. The price of a pourover is up to 2000 rubles.