Many people are skeptical of instant coffee. Coffeemen do not consider this drink to be natural and in every possible way avoid it. Nevertheless, manufacturers regularly replenish the line of instant coffee, improving its taste and aroma. What is this drink really and how harmful or beneficial is it for the human body?
How is it made?
Coffee powder is already pre-brewed and dried coffee. It remains only to add to hot water and mix. The process of manufacturing the powder is as follows. Green fruits are fried, then grind into large fractions. Next, in a special apparatus, the beverage is brewed from the obtained raw materials. As a result, it falls into special containers, from which excess moisture is removed. The raw materials are dried using hot air or frozen. Recently, freezing has been commonly used in a special sublimator.
Raw materials and further preparation
Since as a result of cooking a significant proportion of caffeine is lost, manufacturers prefer to use robusta rather than arabica. The first grade contains six times more excitatory substance. Therefore, if the package of inexpensive coffee says that it is made from Arabica, then most likely they want to mislead the buyer. Even if a small amount of arabica tea is still present, however, the bulk will still be from robusta. In addition, the price of arabica is incomparably higher than robusta, which is not affordable for most buyers.
After going through the whole process of preparation, coffee beans almost completely lose their aroma. Therefore, the powder is aromatized with coffee oils. This is an absolutely natural product obtained at the stage of roasting raw materials. Sometimes manufacturers add oil twice: immediately after receiving the powder and before its packaging.
Chemical composition
This drink is extremely low in calories. It contains virtually no fat, and the amount of carbohydrates is only 0.3 grams. Proteins in instant coffee are also few. Typically, the figure ranges from 0.1 grams. It lacks vitamins, and of the microelements, the largest amount belongs to potassium, which strengthens the heart muscle, as well as magnesium, which contributes to the healing of the nervous system. In addition, it has a small amount of calcium and sodium.
Origin history
Official sources claim that this drink was invented in one thousand eight hundred and ninety years. He has a patent number 3518. The invention belongs to New Zealander David Strang. However, after eleven years in Japan, a rather famous scientist Satori Kato also invented a similar drink. And five years later, instant coffee began to be produced in droves.
The most popular coffee powder acquired immediately after the Second World War. The Brazilian government had to sign an agreement with Nescafe in order to build surplus crops. Thus, a huge amount of coffee just surged into the market of the North American continent, and it began to be consumed en masse in the United States. Soon, a popular American drink came to Europe and spread throughout the world.
How to cook?
In order to make the drink delicious, it is worth working on it. Most people are completely unaware of how to make instant coffee, and prefer to pour a teaspoon of the powder into a cup of hot water and just mix. However, experts advise to do the following. As before making tea, the dishes are preheated and only then put one or two teaspoons of the powder. Then, if desired, sugar is added, and only after the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, two or three teaspoons of hot water are poured. Once the sugar powder has dissolved, you can add the rest of the water.
Those who have tried this method, argues that instant coffee takes on the taste of custard. Additional ingredients can enhance the taste of the drink and give it a unique aroma. However, it should be borne in mind that when adding cold milk or condensed milk, the smell of the drink disappears. Therefore, exclusively hot milk is poured into the cup.
Excellent coffee with cinnamon or cocoa. Some people prefer to drink with a slice of lemon or orange juice. A spice such as anise will give it sweetness, and nutmeg - a slight bitterness.
Which coffee is better?
Very often, before purchasing this product, the buyer is interested in: which instant coffee is better? Today in trading networks you can find a wide selection of this product. However, in order not to make a mistake in choosing, you should adhere to the advice of specialists:
- In order to reduce the cost of their goods, unscrupulous manufacturers add various mixtures to it. For example, it can be ground chestnuts, peas, acorns or oats. You can find out about their presence only after the powder has dissolved in hot water. His taste changes noticeably, and the color gives off a little yellowness.
- If you purchase it in glass containers, then even before buying you can see low-quality powder. It is enough to carefully examine the contents - and then it will be possible to see foreign inclusions.
- Good coffee has smooth, shiny granules of a bright shade. If the powder is cloudy or too dark, then this indicates its low quality.
And also take into account the fact that good coffee does not precipitate at the bottom of the cup and has a more or less acceptable coffee aroma. The complete absence of smell indicates huge quantities of impurities that are distantly related to coffee beans. What are the benefits and harms of instant coffee?
What is the benefit?
Dry coffee powder, even after going through so many procedures, retains a certain amount of useful components. There are practically no vitamins in it, but potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium are present. In addition, the use of this drink gives strength during the diet and is also a great way to lose weight. It has extremely few calories, but there is caffeine, which gives vigor and helps you exercise.
Harm to drink
Instant coffee leaches calcium from the body and leads to bone disease. Therefore, it is advisable to drink it only with milk. The powder is usually made from robusta, which contains a lot of caffeine. Moreover, many manufacturers prefer to add caffeine additionally at the end of preparation. Thus, as a result, its double concentration occurs. This drink is aromatized artificially, because after processing coffee beans lose their smell. Because of this, a lot of preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers get into the powder.
Contraindications
It is highly undesirable to drink it to people with gastrointestinal problems. Unlike a custard drink, this type of coffee has an annoying effect and negatively affects the pancreas and liver. It is especially dangerous to drink powdered coffee in the morning on an empty stomach, as scientists have proved the negative effect of this product on the digestion process. When abuse of instant coffee is very often constipated, and some women notice the appearance of cellulite and dry skin.
Despite the fact that this drink leads to arrhythmias and increases blood pressure, many people get used to it and can not wean for a very long time, despite the obvious harm of instant coffee. Even drinking four cups a day is considered a rather dangerous signal. With prolonged and repeated use of a powder drink, a lot of problems can arise. Slag and toxins accumulate in the body, and also chlorogenic acid, which negatively affects the vessels, enters the bloodstream. Therefore, doctors are strongly advised to abandon instant coffee and, if possible, switch to custard.
Top brands
What is the best instant coffee? According to coffee gourmet reviews, a list of the best manufacturers has been compiled.
- In the first place, according to many coffee lovers, was the Japanese drink "Bushido". It is sold exclusively in glass jars and has several types. Despite the fact that the brand belongs to Japan, coffee is produced in Europe. It has large granules, painted in a deep brown shade, and expressive coffee aroma. In stores, you can find "Bushido" even with the addition of edible gold.
- In second place is the German "Egoist". Its manufacturers mix instant coffee with ground coffee. It is a little stronger than Bushido and also has a pleasant aroma. Gourmets find pleasant fruity notes in the drink that give it a unique taste.
- In third place was again coffee from Japan UCC. It has a caramel flavor and a fairly average strength. This is one of the best instant coffee. Its rather large granules have a beautiful golden beige hue.
- The fourth place in the instant coffee rating is occupied by the German brand “Tudey”. According to manufacturers, the drink is obtained exclusively from Arabica. That is why he retained a magnificent aroma and excellent taste, despite the fact that the strength of the product is quite average.
- In fifth place is the French brand called Carte Noir. Coffee is also produced in Russia using original technologies.
- The South Korean Gourmet Choice drink has light granules and an excellent fruity aftertaste. Coffee lovers find some bitterness, which, in their opinion, is the highlight of the drink of the Korean brand.
In addition, the German “Grandos”, the Dutch “MacCon” and the Swiss “Jardin” can also be added to the ranking of the best coffee.