Instant Coffee’s Journey: A Blend of History and Science

Instant coffee often gets overlooked or dismissed, but its story is rich and surprisingly old — spanning centuries and shaped by innovation, necessity, and evolving tastes. At Ecstatic Expression Coffee Co., we believe understanding coffee’s journey deepens our appreciation for every cup, even the instant kind.

From 18th Century Britain to Today’s Specialty Scene

As Zac Cadwalader explains in his article “The Surprisingly Long History of Instant Coffee” on Sprudge:

“The actual invention of instant is believed to have taken place in Britain in 1771, five years before America declared itself a free nation and the Revolutionary War began.”

Instant coffee first gained meaningful popularity during America’s Civil War, when it was developed in an “experimental cake form” to ration to soldiers for convenient brewing off the battlefield. Later, in World War II, freeze-dried instant coffee became essential for troops needing caffeine without bulky equipment.

At the turn of the 20th century, home consumers began to embrace instant coffee thanks to innovators like New Zealander David Strang, who patented a “soluble instant coffee” using a “dry hot air process” in 1890. Chicago chemist Satori Kato followed with the “first stable coffee powder” in 1901, although his product didn’t achieve commercial success. The breakthrough came in 1909 when George Washington introduced Red E Coffee, bringing instant coffee into American homes (Cadwalader, Sprudge, 2022).

Nestlé’s development of Nescafé in 1937, spurred by a surplus of Brazilian coffee, further revolutionized instant coffee production and popularized it globally (Cadwalader, Sprudge, 2022).

How Instant Coffee is Made

According to the Wikipedia article on Instant Coffee:

• Coffee beans are roasted to about 165 °C (329 °F) and ground.
• Extraction occurs using water heated to roughly 175 °C (347 °F) under pressure to dissolve soluble coffee compounds.
• The extract is concentrated through evaporation or freeze concentration.
• Two main drying methods follow: freeze-drying (higher quality, more costly) and spray-drying (economical, faster, produces finer granules).

This process results in the soluble granules that quickly dissolve in hot water, delivering a quick caffeine fix with surprisingly nuanced flavor potential.

Caffeine, Antioxidants, and Health Notes

Instant coffee’s caffeine content is generally less than brewed coffee. Wikipedia reports:

“Regular instant coffee (not decaffeinated) has a median caffeine content of 66 mg per cup (range 29–117 mg), compared to drip coffee’s median of 112 mg per cup.”

In terms of antioxidants, a 180 ml cup of instant coffee contains about 320 mg of polyphenols versus roughly 400 mg in brewed coffee, making it a strong source of these beneficial compounds (Wikipedia, 2024).

One important health note: instant coffee inhibits intestinal iron absorption more than drip coffee when consumed with meals, though this effect is minimized if consumed an hour before eating (Wikipedia, 2024).

Beyond Your Cup: Unique Uses

Instant coffee isn’t just for drinking. It’s a key ingredient in “Caffenol,” a homemade black-and-white photographic developer, and is used as a natural dye for aging paper in crafts, demonstrating coffee’s surprising versatility (Wikipedia, 2024).

The Modern Instant Coffee Renaissance

While once regarded as a low-quality fallback, instant coffee has undergone a specialty coffee renaissance since the mid-2010s. New brands like Sudden Coffee and Voila, and established roasters like Verve and Intelligentsia, offer single-origin, decaf, and experimental anaerobic lots in instant form.

“More than just being qualitatively better, coffee drinkers are lousy with choice in their instant brews, from washed and natural processed coffees to more experimental anaerobic lots to yes, even really good decaf,” writes Cadwalader (Sprudge, 2022).

Instant coffee today is about convenience, yes, but also quality, craftsmanship, and flavor exploration — perfect for our busy lives without sacrificing taste or ritual.

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At Ecstatic Expression Coffee Co., we celebrate all coffee forms and encourage you to explore instant coffee’s rich history and evolving quality. Whether you’re new to instant or a connoisseur, there’s a surprising world of flavor in every cup.

Ready to taste the difference? Explore our curated coffee selections and educational content — your next ecstatic expression awaits.

Curious to Learn More - read our other blog - 

"Mastering Instant Coffee Extraction: Expert Tips for the Best Cup" Here's a abstract:

This blog dives into how to get the most flavor and quality out of instant coffee by understanding its extraction process. It covers expert advice on water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, and stirring techniques to maximize aroma and taste. The post also highlights common mistakes to avoid, such as using water that’s too hot or too cold, or adding too much coffee powder, which can lead to bitterness or weak flavor. By applying these practical tips, coffee lovers can elevate their instant coffee experience, making each cup richer, smoother, and more enjoyable.