Instant coffee is a very popular coffee type in many areas of the world. It is fast, cheap, and easy to make, so it’s very convenient. The conventional method of making an instant coffee involves dissolving the granules in hot water before adding milk or cream as desired. You may, however, be wondering if instant coffee can dissolve in cold water or milk.
The process of dissolving instant coffee granules in cold water or milk is definitely possible, however, it takes a lot longer for the coffee granules to dissolve in cold liquid than it does in hot liquid.
If you are a fan of a good cup of coffee, instant coffee is a great convenient way to get your daily caffeine fix. This article will explain everything you need to know about instant coffee and how to dissolve instant coffee in cold water or milk.
What Is Instant Coffee?
Instant coffee is a popular type of coffee that is made from dried coffee extract. Similar to the way that regular coffee is brewed, the coffee extract for instant coffee is made by brewing ground up coffee beans, but it is more concentrated. After it has been brewed, the water is removed to make dry powder or fragments which dissolve when added to water.
There are two main ways of manufacturing instant coffee:
- Freeze-drying – This method involves freezing the extract and then cutting it into small pieces. These little fragments are then dried at a low temperature under vacuum conditions.
- Spray-drying – This method involves spraying coffee extract into hot air. This quickly dries the spray droplets and turns them into small pieces or powder.
Both of these methods preserve the flavour, aroma, and the quality of the coffee.
Will Instant Coffee Dissolve in Cold Water/Milk?
You’ll find that on almost all instant coffee packaging, it recommends that you dissolve your instant coffee in hot water, but what if you want to make an iced coffee? Is it possible to make an iced coffee at home using instant coffee?
The answer is yes; it is entirely possible to make iced coffee using instant coffee. Simply mix your instant coffee in cold water or milk the same as you would if it were hot. It may take a couple of minutes for it to fully dissolve, however, it will eventually dissolve.
It can help if you stir the instant coffee into your cold water or milk and continue stirring until it’s fully dissolved. This can make the dissolving process a lot faster.
How to Make an Iced Coffee with Instant Coffee – A Recipe
Now that you know instant coffee does dissolve in cold water, it’s time to learn how to make the perfect iced coffee from home. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 teaspoons of instant coffee granules
- Cold water
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- Cold milk or creamer
Follow the steps below to make your perfect cup of iced coffee at home:
- Pour your water into a glass until it is half full
- Add the sugar and coffee to the water and stir it
- Continue to stir your mixture for a couple of minutes until it has fully dissolved
- Half fill a separate glass with ice and pour your mixture into the second glass over the ice
- Add milk or creamer as desired and then give it a final stir
- Your perfect iced coffee is now ready to drink!
Some Interesting Facts About Instant Coffee
Below you will find some of the most interesting facts about instant coffee:
It Contains Nutrients and Antioxidants
Coffee is the biggest source of antioxidants within our diets today. Due to its high antioxidant content, coffee is believed to have many health benefits. Just like regular coffee, instant coffee contains a number of powerful antioxidants.
According studies, instant coffee has even been found to have higher antioxidant levels than other type of coffee brew due to the way in which it is processed.
Additionally, a typically cup of instant coffee contains only around 7 calories and also contains small amounts of magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B3.
Related: How to Make Coffee Milk Tea
It Can Have Several Health Benefits
Similar to regular coffee, instant coffee may have a number of different health benefits.
Regularly consuming instant coffee may:
- Promote longer life – Drinking coffee can help you to live longer
- Enhance functionality of the brain – The caffeine content in coffee can improve your brain function
- Improve your mental health – Coffee can help to reduce the risks of depression and suicide
- Boost your metabolism – The caffeine content in coffee can help to increase your metabolism and, therefore, help you to burn more fat
- Improve the health of your liver – Both coffee and caffeine can reduce the risk of some liver diseases such as liver cancer and cirrhosis
- Reduce the risks of disease – Coffee can reduce the risk of a number of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
- Decrease the risks of diabetes – Coffee can help to reduce the risks of developing type 2 diabetes
If you’re interested in knowing how much coffee you should be drinking, consuming 3-5 cups of instant coffee per day is seen as optimal. Studies have shown that this amount is linked to the highest risk reductions.
Instant Coffee Contains Slightly Less Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the most highly consumed stimulants in the world. Coffee is the biggest dietary source of caffeine. However, instant coffee contains a little bit less caffeine than other types of coffee.
Caffeine can affect people in different ways, however. Instant coffee may be a better choice for those who are sensitive to caffeine or for those who need to cut back on their caffeine intake. Instant coffee is also available in decaf varieties which contains even less caffeine.
Too much caffeine can cause a number of side effects including restlessness, disrupted sleep, a fast heartbeat, tremors, an upset stomach, or anxiety.
Instant Coffee Accounts for Around a Third of the Total Global Coffee Consumption
Instant coffee has a global market size of around $28 billion. This means that, although people may be turned off by the term “instant coffee”, it is definitely a very popular product.
In fact, instant coffee accounts for around one third of the total global coffee consumption. This is mostly due to the ease and convenience of instant coffee. It is widely available all over the world and it is super easy to make. You just simply add some instant coffee granules to water or milk and voila – you’ve got yourself a decent cup of coffee in a matter of minutes.
The First Type of Instant Coffee Was Invented In England
The first instant coffee was invented in 1771 by John Dring in England. At the time, it was patented by the British Government as a “coffee compound”. It is unclear how successful this product was as there is very little documentation about it. It is also unclear how exactly he manufactured this original product back then.
Final Thoughts
Instant coffee is a quick and easy caffeine fix that doesn’t require a coffee maker. Although instant coffee is best made with hot water or milk, it can also be made with cold water or milk. Iced coffee is enjoyed by people all over the world, and this can easily be made with instant coffee granules.
There are many benefits to drinking coffee and instant coffee contains a lot of antioxidants. Overall, instant coffee is a healthy and low-calorie drink that is a great addition to a modern diet.
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