Coffee remains a staple drink for people who want a fresh, energizing start to their day. The heavenly smell of fresh coffee beans, the warm aroma, and the rich flavors – everything about this “black elixir” instantly made you fall for it!
Brewing a steaming hot cup of coffee every time you need an energy boost is a tedious task. And since none of us own an expensive espresso machine, getting that perfectly creamy, frothy cup of coffee becomes more of a dream.
But if you have a jar full of utterly delicious instant coffee in your kitchen cabinet, we can help you prepare a barista-style coffee using simple household ingredients.
How To Make Espresso With Instant Coffee
Espresso is concentrated coffee served in small shots. Since this coffee has a bold, intense flavor, it is a perfect drink for reviving your strength during a busy workday.
Cafes use espresso machines to prepare espresso. The coffee machine forces high-pressure water through finely grounded coffee beans. Adding crema (a brown foam) on top of it gives the drink a rich, creamy taste. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a real espresso at home.
Items Required
- 4 g of Instant coffee
- Hot water
- Spoon
- Your favorite coffee mug
- Milk (optional)
- Sugar (optional)
Time Required
Approx. 3 – 4 minutes.
Method
Gather the required stuff and follow our instructions to learn how instant coffee is made!
- Fill your coffee mug with water and heat it in the microwave for 2 minutes. Preheating your mug will keep your coffee warm for a little longer.
- Empty your mug, and add 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee to the mug.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of cold water into the mug. Use a spoon to dissolve the tiny granules of coffee into the water. Make sure there are no lumps in the cup.
- Once the coffee is completely incorporated into the water, start adding hot water. Fill the cup with hot water, stir it with a spoon, and enjoy your energy booster.
- If you want to enhance the taste of your coffee, add milk and sugar at the end.
The coffee-water ratio depends totally upon your taste and preference. Add more coffee powder for a stronger flavor, or use less if you prefer to keep it light.
Tip: If you want to create a frothy milky layer on top of your coffee, warm up the milk, whip it with a kitchen whisk (use an electric whisk for better results), and beat the milk until it becomes foamy. Pour the foamy milk gently over the hot coffee. And.. TADA!! Enjoy your hot cup of coffee.
How To Make A Latte With Instant Coffee?
Cafféé Latte or more popularly known as Latte is another iconic beverage found in coffee shops and cafes. The subtle taste of coffee combined with the smooth texture of milk gives the drink an appealing look and a tempting taste.
Unlike an espresso, a latte has a sweet milky flavor and is a perfect delicate drink to brighten up your dull spirit. A latte contains 1 – 2 shots of espresso, steamed milk, and a layer of milk foam. However, to get the right texture for your latte, you must mix these three ingredients in an orderly fashion.
So, let’s see how you can prepare a divine latte in your home kitchen!
Items Required
- 2 cups of milk (You can use skim milk, whole milk, or non-dairy milk such as almond or coconut milk)
- 2 teaspoons of instant coffee
- Sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A mug
- Warm water
- Hand or electric whisk
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Chocolate powder for topping
Time Required
5 minutes
Method
- Boiled 2 cups of milk for about 30-45 minutes. Do not boil the milk. The milk should be warm and hot.
- Heat about ¼ cup (half cup) of water in a microwave for about 20 – 30 seconds. Warm water will help the tiny coffee granules dissolve easily without leaving any residue.
- Mix 1 – 2 tsp of instant coffee with sugar in the coffee mug.
- Combine the coffee mixture and hot water. Stir the mixture thoroughly using a spoon. This espresso shot will be the base of your latte.
- You can also add 1 tsp of vanilla extract or flavored coffee syrup for extra sweetness.
- Take the warm milk and whisk the liquid back and forth for about 15-20 minutes. Whisk the milk until it becomes frothy and large bubbles appear on the surface.
- Remove the top layer of foam from the milk to be used later.
- Now slowly and gently pour the milk foam over the espresso mixture.
- Alternatively, you can also pour the bold coffee mixture on top of the frothed milk. The foam will gradually rise to the top of the cup, and you will have a latte that looks like the work of a professional barista!
- Top the latte with milk foam, or use whipped cream. Sprinkle some instant coffee or chocolate powder to give it a tempting look.
Tip: You don’t have a milk foamer? You can either use an electric or hand whisk to froth the milk. You can also add warm milk in a lidded jar or a plastic bottle. Shake the jar vigorously for about 2 – 3 minutes, and your frothed milk is ready.
Here is our another guide on make a Iced Coffee with Instant Coffee.
How To Make Instant Coffee Taste Better?
Almost all of us have tried to make a luscious cup of joe to satisfy our everyday caffeine cravings. But no matter how hard we try, making a coffee as perfect as the one being sold at the local cafe, seems downright impossible. This is a heartbreaking scenario for all coffee lovers.
But since I desperately want my instant coffee to have a great texture, enticing aroma, and rich flavor, I dug out all those magic tricks used inside a coffee shop.
From the temperature of the water to adding the appropriate magic beans (ingredients), there are countless things you should consider while attempting to brew a great cuppa.
Just follow our tips and tricks if you want to enjoy a delightful cup of instant coffee.
a) Buy Good Grade Instant Coffee
Have you been grabbing just any instant coffee packet from the grocery store? If yes, then the low-grade instant coffee is why your coffee looks like muddy water and has a bland taste.
Buy instant coffee from popular brands such as Starbucks Instant Coffee. Going to Starbucks every time the coffee craving strikes, may leave you penniless. However, having the Starbucks Premium instant coffee will help you prepare a great coffee instantly.
Starbucks instant coffee is made up of 100% Arabica beans that are micro-grounded to give them a luxury taste. Since this instant coffee has minute particles it will dissolve smoothly in the water, giving you an exciting flavor and a superb aroma.
So, if you wish to sip better coffee then the first trick is to get specialty-grade instant coffee from a reputable brand.
b) Coffee – Water Ratio
An unbalanced coffee-to-water ratio is what destroys the after-taste of your favorite drink. How much coffee per cup you need is a personal choice. However, to get a good enhanced flavor, add 2g of instant coffee (about 1 heaped teaspoon) for every 200 ml of water.
If the proportion of instant coffee is high, the water won’t be able to mask the bitterness of coffee granules, leaving you with an extra-strong coffee. Alternatively, using less amount of instant coffee will give you a watery mixture that is far from perfect.
Use the manufacturer’s guide as a reference and find a coffee-water ratio that fits your taste.
c) Freshly Boiled Water
People who love to sip coffee multiple times a day have their kettles placed on the stove. They boil and reboil the water inside the kettle, and this my friends is a grave mistake!
Boiling the already-boiled water forces the oxygen to evaporate, which greatly impacts the after-taste of the instant coffee.
So, to get the best flavor in your homemade coffee, draw fresh tap water every time you brew yourself a mug of coffee. With fresh water, you will have a great coffee having a ravishing taste.
d) Use Cold Water
You need to pour hot, warm water on the roasted instant coffee to ensure all the right flavors burst out of it. But usually, it gives a bitter strong taste to the coffee, which is not an all-time favorite for everyone.
The simple hack to smoothen the bitter taste of homemade espresso is to add a bit of cold water to the coffee powder and slowly stir the mixture. Then add hot water to the compound and you will have a first-class espresso with a great candied taste.
e) Try Adding Cocoa
Cocoa was not just created for preparing cakes and brownies. A little bit of sweetened or unsweetened cocoa can do wonders for your coffee. Just add a pinch or teaspoon of cocoa to the instant coffee and then add hot water to make yourself a delightful cup of coffee.
f) Replace Sugar With Sweeteners
We all think a teaspoon of sugar is enough to enhance the flavor of our coffee. But surprisingly, there are dozens of things that you can replace with sugar.
For instance, add milo or Nutella to the instant coffee powder. It will give your coffee a slightly sweet taste but you will also be able to enjoy the bitter flavors of espresso in every sip.
You can also try other sweeteners such as maple syrup, honey, golden syrup, or condensed milk to give your coffee some extra flavor.
g) Add In Orange Juice
This may sound a bit off, but believe me, adding a few drops of orange juice to your instant coffee will give you a heavenly potion!
The freshness of the orange juice helps you to revitalize and the bitterness of coffee boosts your energy. By combining the two ingredients, you will get a refreshing drink that will enhance your overall mood.
However, just add a few drops of orange juice in the beginning. If the taste suits your mood, you can always put in more juice to improvise your afternoon coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is instant coffee real coffee?
Yes, instant coffee is real coffee. The real coffee beans are roasted, ground, and then brewed into an extract. The tiny instant coffee granules are prepared by removing water from the brewed coffee.
How long does instant coffee last?
Instant coffee has a much longer shelf life. When stored in an airtight container in a cool dark place, the instant coffee can survive for 2 – 20 years. An opened jar of instant coffee can also survive several years in a kitchen cabinet.
Is instant coffee healthy?
Instant coffee has less caffeine and more acrylamide when compared to regular coffee. However, it contains the same amount of antioxidants making it extremely healthy but low in calories.
Does instant coffee and lemon help you lose weight?
No, there is no strong evidence suggesting that the coffee-lemon combo will help you lose calories.
Can you put instant coffee in a coffee maker?
You should never put instant coffee in a coffee machine. Instant coffee is extracted to make the brewing process simple and quick. Putting instant coffee in the coffee maker may crash the machine leading to irreversible damage.
