How to brew instant coffee correctly? Methods for brewing instant coffee How to properly prepare instant coffee.

Coffee is a drink without which many cannot imagine their morning. You don’t have to go to a coffee shop to drink a cup of invigorating drink. The “Simply There” correspondent found out from barista Alena Averyanova how you can make aromatic coffee in your kitchen.

Coffee beans

When purchasing coffee beans, you need to study information about single varieties. The taste largely depends on the brand of coffee. Each trading company has its own methods of processing coffee, so the same single variety may taste slightly different.

Single-origin coffee is coffee from one plantation. If a coffee is called "Ethiopia", it means it is from Ethiopia. Sometimes the name may contain the names of plantations or the port of departure: “Ethiopia Sidamo”, “Ethiopia Harrar”, etc. You should not buy flavored varieties (“Vanilla”, “Cherry”, “Amaretto” and others). First, these flavors are not always individual. Secondly, why spoil the taste of natural coffee with additives? Thirdly, it is unknown what taste the drink will have in the end.

There are several types of roasting coffee beans:

1. Light, or Scandinavian, roast: the beans have a light brown hue and a sour taste.
2. The medium degree of roasting, Viennese, has a darker color and a fuller development of aroma.
3. Strong roast, French, is perhaps the most popular in America and Europe. The grains are dark and oily, and the drink has a slight bitterness.
4. The strongest degree of roasting is Italian. The beans are roasted at very high temperatures until they are almost black.

For cooking at home, it is better to choose medium roast beans. When coffee is dark roasted, the taste becomes bitter, it is not always possible to get a pleasant aftertaste, most of the beneficial substances and essential oils are burned. You will end up drinking a bitter drink. Often coffee is roasted heavily to hide some negative aspects. It is believed that high-quality grain will never be dark roasted.

An important aspect is the grinding of coffee. For each method of preparing coffee, the grind is selected based on the type of drink you want to get. Extraction depends on the fineness of grinding. Extraction is the interaction of coffee with water. The finer the grind, the more flavor substances will be released from the grain. But at the same time, fine grinding is only suitable for Turks. If you make finely ground coffee in a French press, it will simply clog and it will be difficult to get the drink itself.

There are several universal rules to remember when making coffee:

1. Coffee should be poured into heated cups. Before making coffee, pour hot water into the cups, let them warm up, and when you are ready to pour the coffee, pour the water out of the cups and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
2. It is not recommended to use espresso blends, only pure single-origin varieties. Home methods are designed not to invent new tastes, but to reveal existing ones. But the choice of a specific monovarietal is purely a matter of your taste.
3. Any coffee you make at home doesn't like three things: wet dishes, cold dishes and boiled water.

Turk

When preparing coffee, cold water is used. Initially, it was believed that Turkish coffee was prepared only on sand, but since we do not have the opportunity to cook in such conditions, we can use ordinary fire. There's nothing wrong with that, it doesn't change the taste. Take ordinary cold purified water, very finely ground coffee, 5-6 grams per serving. If you want the taste to be more intense – 8-9 grams per 100 ml of water. 100 ml is the average amount of coffee in your cup, prepared in a Turk. If you prepare coffee correctly, there will definitely be a thick sediment, similar to a viscous mass. The first thing you need to do when preparing coffee in a Turk is to first pour cold water over the Turk. Next, add a portion of coffee, sugar, and spices as desired into cold water. You should not let the coffee boil - as soon as a cap of foam begins to rise, you must immediately remove the Turk from the heat. If the coffee boils, the drink is spoiled and needs to be thrown out. It is served with foam. It is advisable to use small porcelain cups no larger than 100 ml. Approximate cooking time is 4-5 minutes, depending on the heat. The cost of Turks is on average from 400 to 3000 rubles. But if you wish, you can also find old, exclusive pieces for a higher price.

French press

It is considered the most popular and easiest method of brewing coffee at home. The French press is a glass flask installed in a glass holder. A piston is inserted into it, before cooking it is pulled out, the flask is heated with hot water, coarsely ground coffee is poured in (8-9 grams per 100 ml) and filled with hot water from 88 to 94 degrees. Coffee should be ground just before brewing, and the grind should be coarse to prevent particles from passing through the French press filter. Water must be filled to a level just below the fully raised piston. Stir the coffee quickly to improve the extraction process. Coffee releases carbon dioxide, which creates a fluffy cap on the surface. If this does not happen, then you got stale coffee. Now you need to cover the coffee pot with a lid with the piston raised up. After 4-5 minutes the piston needs to be lowered. The advantage of a French press is that the strength of the drink can be adjusted independently: the longer you brew, the stronger the coffee will be (the more contact of water with the coffee bean, the more caffeine there will be in the drink). The downside of this method is the presence of coffee particles in the cup, and also the fact that the drink tends to cool quickly in a French press if you leave it to brew longer. The cost of a French press depends on the quality of the material used and the volume - you can find a small teapot for 200 rubles and a large one for 2000.

Aeropress

One of the simplest methods of making coffee after the French press. It was invented relatively recently - in 2009. Very easy to use, small, you can even take it with you on a hike. Its operating principle is the piston method. This is a cylinder into which another cylinder, a paper filter and a perforated plug are inserted. Next, pour in 8-18 grams of finely ground coffee, add water at 88-94 degrees, and infuse the coffee. The advantage of the method: a pure drink without particles. It is important that the coffee is freshly ground and the dishes are hot. Preparing coffee in an AeroPress will take you about 3 minutes, its average cost is from 2,000 rubles.

Geyser coffee maker (Moka Express)

Moka is widely used in Europe, especially in its homeland, Italy, where it is a national symbol. The original Moka is made of aluminum with bakelite handles. The principle of operation is as follows: steam reaches high pressure and gradually displaces boiling water through a funnel and filter containing ground coffee. The water passes through the coffee powder and enters the upper reservoir, where the finished coffee is collected. The required amount of drinking water must be poured into the lower reservoir and covered with a metal filter. Then pour medium-ground coffee into the filter funnel at the rate of 9-12 grams per cup of coffee. Then screw on the top and put on low heat. After the water boils, the finished drink will begin to flow into the upper reservoir; after the end of the coffee flow, remove the coffee maker from the heat. Cooking time – 5-8 minutes. The price range of geyser coffee makers is from 700 to 5000 rubles.

Drip coffee maker (filter coffee maker)

It is especially popular in offices. Cold water is poured into a special glass container; the average volume of the tank is about 1 liter. Medium ground coffee (8-9 grams per 100 ml) is poured into a cone filter. The lid closes, the coffee maker turns on - the water heats up, rises through a special tube, falls into the filter with coffee, and brews it. Then the finished drink drips into the coffee pot. When the water in the reservoir runs out, the coffee maker automatically switches to the drink heating mode. There is a heating pad under the coffee pot, which allows the coffee in the pot to cool down very slowly. The average price of a drip home (or office coffee maker) is from 1000 to 5000 rubles. Depending on the type of coffee maker and the volume of water, preparing coffee will take on average from 5 to 15 minutes.

Chemex

This method of making coffee was invented in 1941 by the Americans. The Chemex was popular more because of its design: a chemical flask with a large funnel. Usually, at the narrowest point of the Chemex, either a wooden or rubber nozzle is made to make it convenient to grip. The Chemex must be made of thick heat-resistant glass so that nothing cracks upon contact with hot water. Before you start preparing the drink, you need to make sure that the water is between 88 and 94°C. This temperature is necessary to ensure that the coffee does not burn. A special paper filter is taken, placed in a heated flask, doused with hot water - it is necessary that the filter be moistened so that it can stick to the flask and air does not penetrate into it. Then the water is drained, since it has already cooled down, and coffee does not like cold water. Medium grind coffee is poured on top - an average of 25 grams of coffee is used per 360 ml. Next, water is poured in - it needs to be poured slowly from the edge to the center. You must first pour 30-60 ml of water and wait 30-60 seconds for the coffee to open and come into contact with oxygen, and then slowly pour in the rest of the water in a thin stream. If you pour coffee in a thick stream at once, the water will be distributed unevenly throughout the coffee and it will not brew properly. It is better not to use bitter varieties for Chemex; this is one of the methods where the drink turns out to be sweetish. You need to select grains based on your taste preferences. The coffee takes about 4 minutes to prepare. The price of the issue is from 2000 to 6000 rubles.

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.

Siphon

The most spectacular cooking method. The siphon is very similar to a chemist's apparatus for laboratory work. A tripod and flask are installed, a water container is placed on the flask, an alcohol lamp is placed underneath, water is poured into the flask from below, a paper filter is installed on top, and coffee is poured into it. The alcohol lamp is set on fire, and it begins to heat the flask. The water evaporates, penetrates the upper filter, the coffee begins to get wet and then gradually flows down into the same flask where the water was. The siphon was often installed in bars and cooked right at the guest’s table. Coffee is prepared in a siphon for about 5 minutes. Like the Chemex, 360 ml requires 25 grams of medium-ground coffee.

If you have certain equipment at home, you can prepare espresso. Now you can buy home ones, they even came up with manual espresso machines, pocket ones. They run on gas cartridges.

How about a cup of instant coffee?

Instant coffee contains no more than 15% coffee itself. The rest is flavoring additives, preservatives, dyes, oxidizing agents, etc. There is absolutely nothing healthy in this coffee, but rather the opposite. Instant coffee is often the cause of stomach ulcers, gastritis and cellulite. Instant coffee contains a very harmful substance – benzopyrene resin. This resin is an oxidizing agent and it has a strong effect on the body.

As for drinking natural coffee, in moderate quantities it does not harm, but benefits a healthy person. The only contraindication is high blood pressure. A harmless amount of coffee for the body is a cup or two a day.

What kind of milk makes homemade coffee even tastier and healthier?

It is best to use ultra-pasteurized milk - it is closer in taste to natural milk, unlike sterilized milk. The latter has a boiled taste, and if boiled milk, which has a strong characteristic odor, is combined with coffee, a bright aftertaste is obtained that will overpower the taste of coffee.

Fat content may depend on a person's taste preferences. Of course, it is not advisable to take very fatty milk, because coffee already contains essential oils. 3-3.5% fat is the best option. If you are on a diet, then 0% is fine.

Some people try to add homemade milk to their coffee. Here the taste of your coffee with milk will directly depend on what the cow ate. And again, this milk already has a pronounced taste, which can overwhelm the taste of your drink.

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.

The classic recipe is easy to prepare.

How to cook:

1. Pour 1-2 teaspoons of powder into a cup.
2. Fill with hot boiled water, but not boiling water. The optimal temperature for brewing ranges from 85-95°C. How to achieve what you need? You can boil water and let it cool for 3-4 minutes, or you can heat already boiled water and turn off the kettle, almost bringing it to a boil.
3. Let the drink brew for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle cinnamon on top if desired.

When brewing, you should consider the cup size and taste preferences. The standard serving is 1 teaspoon of product per 100 ml of water.

You can diversify the recipe if you immediately put sugar (to taste) and spices into a cup of coffee, and only then add hot water and stir. It is important to add them at this stage, because this way they can saturate the drink with their aroma and taste and will not float to the top of the cup.

The following may be suitable spices: allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg. For chocolate lovers, you can pour a little cocoa powder into the bottom of the cup or pour in chocolate syrup.

Of course, all herbs and spices are not for everyone, but they will help make instant coffee even more tasty and invigorating.

Cooking with milk and cinnamon

The brewing technology is almost completely similar to the previous recipe.

You will need:

• 1-2 tsp. soluble product;
• sugar to taste;
• 30-50 ml of milk (best with a fat content above 3%);
• a pinch of cinnamon if desired;
• 150-170 ml of water.

How to cook:

1. Pour the instant product and sugar into a cup.
2. Fill three-quarters full with hot water.
3. Leave to infuse for 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile, slightly warm the milk. When warm, it has a special softness and aroma, which only improves the taste characteristics of instant coffee. You can pre-whip the milk in a way convenient for you.
4. Then pour it into a cup and stir. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Milk can be replaced with cream. For those who like unusual flavor combinations, you can use coconut, which will make the taste even more delicate.

Any instant drink can be used. But, as a rule, when choosing one that will be close to you, you will have to try more than one variety.

Cooking with ice

Significantly inferior in health and taste to natural ones. But, nevertheless, you can also make one of the famous cold coffee recipes from it.

You will need:

• 5 tsp soluble powder;
• 5 tsp Sahara;
• a pinch of vanillin;
• 250 ml water;
• 250 ml milk.

How to cook:

1. Pour hot water over coffee powder and sugar and stir. Let cool.
2. Add a pinch of vanillin and pour the drink into an ice tray. To freeze.
3. Add coffee ice to cold milk and place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes so that the ice melts slightly and the ingredients are mixed.

The second method is simpler:

1. Brew strong concentrated coffee.
2. Place a few ice cubes in an empty glass and carefully, slowly pour the prepared coffee onto them.

To prevent the taste of the drink from being spoiled by excess water from the ice, it should be drunk immediately, preferably through a straw. This type of treat is very refreshing in the summer.

Cappuccino with ice

For this recipe you will need a blender.

Ingredients:

• 200 ml milk;
• 1-2 tsp. coffee powder;
• 1 tbsp. chocolate syrup;
• a pinch of cinnamon;
• 2-3 ice cubes;
• sugar to taste.

How to cook:

1. In a blender, combine milk, chocolate syrup, instant coffee and ice. Beat until smooth.
2. Add sugar.
3. Pour into glasses and garnish with cinnamon if desired. Drink immediately.

For connoisseurs of something unusual, you can add maple syrup or caramel sauce to this drink. You can decorate the treat with chocolate dragee or shavings, a few sprigs of mint, or sprinkle with syrup.

Recipe with ginger

With the addition of ginger, instant coffee will be tasty with a characteristic spicy taste and aroma.

How to cook:

1. Grate a piece of ginger. For 1 cup you will need 1 teaspoon of grated ginger.
2. Pour a glass of boiling water over the spice and let it brew for 5-7 minutes.
3. Pour coffee powder into an empty cup and pour ginger infusion.

Particularly good in autumn and winter. It will warm and invigorate. Honey, pepper or lemon juice will help improve the taste and properties.

photo: depositphotos.com/olhaafanasieva

The majority of lovers of the invigorating drink prefer to drink it in the morning after waking up. There are times when a coffee maker may not be at hand. Aromatic water-soluble coffee comes to the rescue.

Cooking options

To prepare simple instant coffee, you need to take:

• 240 ml boiling water;
• 2 teaspoons soluble powder;
• 2 teaspoons sugar, if desired;
• a little milk or cream to taste;
• You can add various spices or vanilla extract for a more piquant taste.

To prepare whipped instant coffee, you will need:

• 1 tsp. instant coffee;
• 180 ml milk or cream;
• ice - 5 cubes;
• granulated sugar - 2 tsp;
• If desired, you can add vanilla or chocolate.

To prepare an instant latte you will need:

• 1 tsp. coffee;
• 2 teaspoons boiling water;
• 240 ml boiling water;
• If desired, you can add sugar (a couple of teaspoons);
• spices and cocoa are added to taste.

In order to prepare a drink according to a simple recipe, you need to boil water, it should be almost boiling. You can boil water in the microwave, on the stove, or in an electric kettle. To brew, give it a minute for the water to cool slightly.

The amount of powder must be calculated based on the amount of water available. If you don't know the proportions, in most cases they are written on the coffee can.

At the stage of adding granulated sugar and spices, you should focus on the following proportions:

• For 240 ml of liquid you will need 1 tsp. Sahara;
• Flavoring additives should be added based on the preferences of the fan.

Cooking steps:

• For chocolate lovers, you can add cocoa powder or chocolate syrup.
• For a classic taste, add a few drops of vanilla extract.
• For a more spicy aroma, mix allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• You can use flavored dry cream instead of sugar and spices.
• Pour a glass of hot water.
• Add the required amount of instant coffee.
• Pour in the required amount of cream or milk. Their number depends on your preferences. The milk will help to be whole, coconut, you can dilute coconut milk with regular milk. Some coffee drinkers prefer not to add dairy products to their coffee.
• The last step will be to carefully weigh all the ingredients in the cup.

Iced coffee

In order to properly prepare the base for this type of drink, you need to mix 1 teaspoon of coffee and 2 teaspoons of hot water. After this you get a thick paste.

For a richer taste, you can add the following components:

• cocoa powder or chocolate syrup;
• vanilla extract (for a sweeter taste);
• a pinch of spices;
• flavored cream in dry form.

The next step is to pour the resulting coffee syrup onto the ice. You need to pour as slowly as possible. You can drink iced coffee without adding cream, or you can add the desired amount on top of the ice. The amount of milk you add should be determined based on your preference.

The drink should be consumed immediately after preparation to prevent the ice from melting. You can drink it through a straw or as usual.

Whipped coffee

In order to prepare whipped coffee, you need to prepare a kitchen blender. It is important to make sure it is clean.

• Place instant powder, granulated sugar, ice, and milk in the blender bowl. For example, for a 180 ml serving of milk you need to take 1 spoon of sugar, 1 spoon of coffee and 6 ice cubes.
• Blend the coffee in a blender, after which you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract, caramel sauce, or chocolate syrup for a more piquant taste. Then you need to beat all the ingredients until smooth. All additives are determined based on personal taste preferences.
• If after mixing the consistency is too thick, you need to add milk. If, on the contrary, the mass is liquid, then ice is added.
• It is better to pour the drink into a tall glass. The whole mass will not overflow, so you need to stock up on a spatula or spoon.
• The last stage will be the original dyeing. You can come up with anything: from grated chocolate to whipped cream.

Cappuccino

Instant cappuccino can be prepared in several ways. It can be a cappuccino with frothed milk or an Indian cappuccino.

In order to use whipped milk for one serving you need to take:

• 1 glass of water;
• 2 spoons of coffee;
• milk and sugar to taste.

Bring 250 ml of water to a boil, add 2 teaspoons of instant powder and the preferred amount of granulated sugar. At the same time, bring the milk to a boil. You can use a small saucepan for this. After boiling, remove the milk from the heat.

To prepare cappuccino foam, you need to pour the milk into a well-closed container and shake vigorously until foam forms. This usually takes 30 seconds. Transfer the resulting milk mass with a spoon onto the surface of the drink.

To prepare Indian cappuccino you need to take:

• 1-1.5 tsp. soluble powder;
• 1 spoon of sugar;
• ½ teaspoon water;
• 230 ml milk.

It is necessary to put the milk on the fire, at this time mix the powder with sugar and water. Stir the mixture until it becomes a homogeneous brown mass. After the milk boils, remove it from the hob, pour it into the mixture, stir well (you should get foam). The invigorating drink is ready!

Very often we are faced with a situation where ground coffee suddenly runs out. You have to be content with the soluble type. But few people know that a properly brewed drink has good taste and can easily replace a cup of real coffee.

How to choose a soluble type?

First, you need to choose a variety that contains a minimum amount of caffeine. The soluble type, produced by manufacturers in powder form, is the most budget option. A distinctive feature is the content of a huge amount of caffeine. It is recommended to use it with cream or milk.

Powdered coffee drinks differ in taste and aroma from granular and freeze-dried soluble types, not for the better.

There are varieties in the form of granules. The taste is more intense, but the coffee aroma is not pronounced enough. The granulated form is produced from coffee powder by moistening.

The softest type, containing a minimal amount of caffeine, is the freeze-dried type. It is made from Arabica beans. This is a more expensive type of coffee, but the richest and most aromatic.

It's no secret that it contains artificial flavors, which are added during production to enhance the aroma. When exposed to boiling water, it begins to emit a strong smell of chemical additives, not coffee. The taste becomes cloying.

Therefore, before cooking, it is necessary to clarify what the water temperature should be so as not to spoil the taste. Many manufacturers advise brewing with hot water rather than boiling water.

The optimal water temperature should be about 80-90 degrees.

Cooking method

Connoisseurs of instant coffee advise brewing it according to a special recipe, this will help reveal the flavor notes.

To enjoy an excellent coffee drink, there is no need to rush. First, warm the cup thoroughly with boiling water. Then pour one or two teaspoons of instant coffee into a warmed empty cup and add sugar. Mix the contents of the cup and pour a tablespoon of hot water. Grind until a homogeneous mass is obtained; the granules and sugar must dissolve in the water. Next, pour hot water and stir. Under no circumstances should you use boiling water.

Supplements

With the help of additives, the instant coffee drink will acquire a unique taste. For example, if the taste is slightly bitter, you can add grated chocolate, a little cinnamon or a few drops of orange juice. Then an instant coffee drink will perfectly invigorate and lift your spirits.

Do not add cold milk: it will dull the flavor. The taste will be much more aromatic and pleasant after adding hot milk.

With the help of nutmeg you can experience the refined, refined taste of the East. Anise will add a sweetish taste.

Flaws

It is worth noting that instant coffee drinks (in addition to their positive properties) have a large number of disadvantages. Experts do not advise people with cardiovascular diseases and stomach diseases to abuse this coffee due to the high caffeine content and high acidity.

But even soluble It has an adverse effect on kidney function.

Therefore, no matter how good the taste of such a coffee drink is, you should not get carried away with it too often. Real ground coffee is much healthier and tastier. You can also brew ground coffee in a cup.

Today, instant coffee can be found on many people’s kitchen shelves, but not everyone asks the question: “how to brew instant coffee correctly?” Everything is quite simple.

Making instant coffee

Because the taste of artificial flavors contained in instant coffee is enhanced by boiling water, instant coffee begins to smell like chemicals (not coffee) and takes on a cloying taste. As you understand, it is better not to brew instant coffee with boiling water. Powder manufacturers say the same thing: instant coffee should be brewed with hot water at approximately 80-90 °C.

Fans of instant coffee have even come up with their own recipe, which allows you to muffle the artificial taste as much as possible and reveal the coffee aroma. The preparation method consists of three steps:

1. pour the required amount of soluble powder into a cup, usually 1-2 teaspoons, and sugar to taste.
2. Pour one tablespoon of hot water over the coffee powder and sugar and rub the resulting mixture in a cup until all ingredients are completely dissolved. Only after this can you add the remaining hot water, remember – not boiling water!
3. If you like to drink coffee with milk, you also need to warm it up: hot milk is characterized by a special mild aroma, which at the same time improves the taste of instant coffee.

A note about instant coffee

Instant coffee is characterized by a large number of disadvantages, which, unfortunately, outweigh its advantages. This drink is characterized by high acidity. In this regard, it is not advisable to drink coffee on an empty stomach for people who suffer from stomach diseases, especially if it is a soluble powder. Those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases should not drink instant coffee.

It should also be noted that, contrary to the prevailing opinion that instant decaffeinated coffee is not harmful, it has a negative effect on health. This product provokes the formation and deposition of kidney stones. There is also an assumption among doctors that decaffeinated instant coffee can have a carcinogenic effect on the body.

Think a few times before taking instant coffee off the shelf, maybe natural ground coffee is still better?