Instant coffee became one of the innovations in the first wave of coffee that made coffee consumption much more practical. As is known, the evolution of coffee experienced three waves of development starting from the 1800s to the 2000s.
In each wave, coffee undergoes developments in terms of packaging, brewing methods, and the habitual behavior of consumers or coffee lovers.
For example, in the first wave of coffee, the main focus was on how to make coffee as practical as possible. However, this wave forgot about flavor and quality, leading to the second wave of coffee.
This second wave emerged due to dissatisfaction with the taste of coffee that was prevalent in the first wave. However, it didn’t stop at the issue of taste, the third wave began to emerge due to consumers’ curiosity about the process of making coffee from scratch.
History of Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is coffee that has gone through a series of drying processes to become a soluble powder. This coffee began to appear in the 1900s, 1903 to be precise. At that time, the first instant coffee was patented by a Japanese-American, Satori Kato under the name “Coffee Concreate and Process of Making Same”. Satori carried out a dehydration process that became the basis for making instant coffee.
Not stopping here, this type of coffee continued to evolve. Commercially, in 1910, George Constant Louis Washington created the first commercial brand. Seven years later, in 1917, instant coffee became a favorite of soldiers involved in World War I. In 1938, during the Second World War, NESCAFÉ emerged as a product of the Nestlé brand.
Instant coffee continues to change as new methods are discovered, such as agglomeration and freeze drying. In essence, these changes are increasingly leading to the ease of consuming coffee. Coffee lovers can now enjoy a cup of coffee by simply pouring hot water.
Instant Coffee Production Process
Not all instant coffee has the same flavor. This cannot be separated from the production process. The taste of coffee will differ based on the method or processing. At least, there are two processes of drying coffee beans from extraction to coffee powder.
Spray Drying
Spray drying is a coffee processing method that utilizes hot air. The coffee extract is sprayed into hot air that has a temperature of 480 degrees fahrenheit.
After that, the water will immediately evaporate and produce droplets that turn into fine powder. The downside of this process is that it takes away the flavor of the coffee. That’s because the powder stays in the hot air for too long.
Freeze Drying
Freeze drying is a process that utilizes cold temperatures. Previously, the coffee beans are first roasted and extracted into a solution. After that, cool the coffee extraction at a temperature of about 20 degrees farenheit.
Then, the drying process is carried out to cause the sublimation process, which is a process of changing form into steam. Unlike spray drying, this method preserves the aroma and flavor of the coffee.
Pros and Cons of Instant Coffee
Although it offers a convenient brewing process, this type of coffee has other advantages as well as disadvantages. This is inseparable from the ingredients in coffee as well as the effects after drinking it.
- The first advantage is the high antioxidant content that is beneficial for health. Antioxidants have been proven to protect the body from free radicals.
- The second advantage can be seen in terms of storage and price. Instant coffee is considered more durable and cheaper than regular coffee. With a note, the coffee has been stored in a closed container and is safe from substances that can make coffee experience changes in condition.
- However, this type of coffee has the disadvantage of being lower in caffeine than regular coffee. One cup of coffee can contain as much as 30-90 mg of caffeine, while regular coffee is 70-140 mg.
- Another drawback is that it contains more acrylamide than regular coffee. Acrylamide is a substance that can increase the risk of cancer. However, as long as you don’t overdo it, you don’t have to worry about the dangers of acrylamide.
That’s the explanation of instant coffee that appeared in the first wave of coffee. From the many advantages and disadvantages that exist, instant coffee is a practical choice for enjoying a cup of coffee in the midst of a busy day.
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Source:
https://levista.in/blogs/news/different-types-of-instant-coffee
https://rahadiandimas.staff.uns.ac.id/files/2011/10/Proses-Produksi-Kopi-Instan.pptx
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/instant-coffee-good-or-bad#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1
