Comparison of ground and instant coffee - which is better to drink?

Previously, this drink was considered carcinogenic, and even some studies were cited as evidence.

Today the same scientists claim

that coffee is one of the healthiest drinks because it is full of antioxidants, improves cognitive function, and is also low in calories.

But when it comes to choosing

Between instant coffee and ground coffee beans, opinions are divided.

In fact, making a clear choice is not so easy.

If baristas talk about coffee, they will definitely choose coffee beans, and call instant coffee poison.

It’s worth noting right away:

instant coffee is also coffee. It was simply turned into a concentrate using one of the moisture extraction methods.

But there are still fundamental differences between these two types of coffee.

The raw materials used (type of beans) are different, each type requires different skills to make, and of course there are differences in taste and cost.

Time and simplicity

Making instant coffee is a simple process in itself. Measure out a teaspoon (or more) of coffee granules, add hot water and that’s it! The whole operation takes a few seconds. If you are in a hurry to get to work, then instant coffee is a great option.

To make coffee from beans you need:

1. Grind the beans (if you did not purchase ground immediately) to the desired size. For example, a French press requires a coarser grind, while a coffee machine requires a finer grind.

2. If you don’t have a coffee machine, pour boiling water over the coffee and wait 3-4 minutes. If you have a coffee machine, you need to clean it regularly.

In short, the coffee may taste better, but it’s also more hassle.

Even with a capsule coffee machine, you will not prepare coffee as quickly as instant coffee.

Not so different composition

What ground coffee consists of is very clear. These are ground, pre-roasted beans. Of course, if we are talking about a good product. Cheap brands can add crushed chicory and other legumes.

The ground grains should have a uniform color and texture and emit only a characteristic coffee smell. Otherwise, there is a possibility of third-party impurities.

Now about the composition of the granules. Contrary to many stereotypes, instant coffee is made from coffee. It is not true that the granulated drink is made from dust or waste. The semi-finished product is a thick, boiled mixture of natural grains. True, berries of cheap varieties are used for concentrate, rejection, and “failures” of roasting.

During the manufacturing process, a product goes through many technical “procedures”. At each stage of processing, raw materials lose valuable vitamins, microelements and original characteristics.

The biggest disadvantage of raw materials for granules is the almost neutral odor. To eliminate this disadvantage, the manufacturer is forced to add natural and artificial oils, flavors, and fragrances. This is one of the reasons why ground coffee is healthier than instant coffee. The crushed grain retains its natural properties; there is no need for chemical enhancers.

• Don't miss: Which ground coffee is the most delicious, brand rating

Recommendations:

1. Among the “fast” drinks, it is better to choose sublimate. Sublimation technology allows you to preserve at least part of the original properties of the product.
2. Buy only a glass jar to see the quality of the contents.

Taste

Freshly brewed coffee retains all its essential oils

and other chemical components are intact, giving it a fuller taste when compared to instant coffee. Fresh coffee has more flavor variety.

However, the main reason

The difference in taste is the composition of the raw materials used to prepare instant coffee. Instant coffee makers tend to use cheaper Robusta beans, which can have a bitter taste. More expensive and aromatic Arabica beans are used to brew fresh coffee.

The degree of roasting also matters.

Most instant coffees will taste more bitter than medium roast ground coffee.

Another thing worth noting

that the beans retain more caffeine than instant coffee granules, which also affects the taste.

What is the difference between ground coffee and instant coffee?

Ground natural coffee
Ground coffee is a powder made from coffee beans, which, when brewed, releases various compounds into boiling water. They determine the aroma, taste and invigorating effect of the drink. At the same time, thick remains always remain. When mixing instant coffee with liquid, there is no sediment; it can be added to both hot and cold water. There is literally no need to cook it. Both options are made from natural raw materials - Arabica and Robusta beans, and can be with or without additives. They differ in the following parameters:

• production technology;
• compound;
• method and speed of preparation;
• taste and aroma;
• content of caffeine and other compounds;
• alternative use.

If instant coffee is only a drink or an ingredient in dishes, then the grounds have many other uses. This is an excellent scrub for face and body, mulch and fertilizer for indoor flowers and gardening. It perfectly absorbs unpleasant odors and repels pests.

In general, it is quite difficult to compare these two types. Instant drinks are drunk completely. In the case of ground custard, 70% is sediment, waste, which is not consumed internally. In addition, the proportions of water and coffee are very different: 1 tsp per “cup”, which can be from 50 ml to 200 ml.

Production technology

This is the main difference. To prepare the custard product, the grains undergo roasting, grinding, sifting and packaging. Natural coffee varies in degree of roasting and grinding.

For the soluble category, prepare a strong infusion from crushed grains and filter it. Then it is sprayed into small drops in an environment of inert gases or under vacuum and thus dried. Caffeine and aromatic components turn into a decoction and then into powder.

Instant coffee comes in three varieties:

1. In powder form , almost dust. This is the cheapest option.
2. In granules that look like small “lumps”.
3. Sublimated. Its particles resemble crystals with smooth edges. The most aromatic and expensive drink, since its production technology requires significant energy consumption.

Flavoring fillers (caramel, cherry, etc.) are sometimes added to ground and instant products and are produced without caffeine. This option is useful for those who suffer from hypertension. Bean coffee is also found in the retail chain. You will have to turn it into powder at home yourself.

Composition of ground and instant coffee

The chemical composition of ground coffee is superior to instant coffee: ground beans contain more minerals, including potassium and magnesium. The powder also contains antioxidants that slow down aging.

But instant has more caffeine and about 2 times less cafestol. This is a substance that increases cholesterol in women. On the other hand, cafestol has been shown in studies to fight cancer and Parkinson's disease. Therefore, the question of its harm and benefit remains open.

Table: Chemical composition of coffee, per 100 g of product

Is there more caffeine in instant or ground coffee?

If you look at the GOST requirements for both types of product, the difference is significant:

• The ground must contain at least 0.7% caffeine. In different brands, its amount differs and reaches 2%.
• In soluble, the standard requires at least 2.3% alkaloid. Moreover, in some TMs its concentration is 4-5%.

This is due to the fact that instant coffee is a concentrate, and the crushed beans contain a lot of ballast substances, only 30% of which go into the decoction.

If we talk about an already prepared drink, then more often there is more caffeine in the ground, because it is brewed stronger: less water and more powder are used. As a result, one serving contains 80-150 mg of the alkaloid.

A cup of instant contains 60-80 mg of caffeine. The drink is not as rich and less strong due to the significant amount of water. But these are only average data. After all, you can add 3-4 spoons of freeze-dried food per 100 ml and then there will be no difference.

The amount of caffeine is also affected by the type of coffee: it is believed that Robusta has more caffeine than Arabica. And also the quality of roasting: the longer the beans are roasted, the less caffeine remains in it.

Table: Comparison of the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee (average values)

Therefore, if you need a good pick-me-up, give preference to a drink made from natural ground Robusta coffee, medium roast, finely ground.

Ease of preparation

Instant coffee is popular primarily because of its ease of preparation. To make yourself a cup of drink, just mix the granules with water of any temperature. It is convenient to prepare it in the office, take it on hikes and trips.

To obtain powder from beans, they need to be ground using special equipment, and then brewed in a Turk or coffee machine. This is a more complex and lengthy process. In addition, a lot of grounds remain, equipment or dishes need to be washed.

Result:

When it comes to choosing between instant and fresh coffee, it comes down to a choice between convenience and ritual, cost and taste. It's also a matter of lifestyle. From a health perspective, both are equally good for you.

True coffee lovers, of course, prefer grain coffee, as it is more aromatic and has a richer taste.

And if your body simply requires caffeine in the morning, and even more so if time is short, then instant coffee is also suitable.

How much are you willing to invest in your coffee?

What kind of coffee is better to drink?

It is highly undesirable to consume cheap, low-quality fast food products. You should choose between natural ground and instant freeze-dried. The main evaluation criteria are compliance of organoleptic indicators with personal preferences, the presence of chronic diseases and the quality of coffee.

It is advisable to give preference to natural ground drink, since the drink has a beneficial effect on the human body when consumed in moderation, is healthier in composition, does not contain chemical additives, and invigorates in the morning. Instant is suitable if you don’t have enough time to cook in a Turk and you can’t consume caffeine. In the latter case, we mean products that almost do not contain this alkaloid and have the corresponding designation on the packaging.

Ground coffee - advantages and disadvantages

Which coffee is better to drink - ground or instant? Let's explore the pros and cons of both options. As in the subheading above, let's start with the benefits:

• Ground coffee is made from the highest quality beans, which immediately makes it healthier than instant varieties.
• Essential oils, vitamins, natural taste - all this remains in the ground coffee.
• You can prepare this drink yourself, just buy coffee beans.
• The variability of the grinding itself creates a large number of taste differences and varieties. The aroma can be very different, you need to try and find the perfect drink for yourself.
• You can add spices to ground coffee; there are many interesting recipes from different countries. This once again increases the variability of aromas and creates new varieties.

Flaws:

• This type of coffee costs much more, so it is considered an indicator of wealth.
• Preparing the drink is more complex and takes longer. You need to know the intricacies of the variety you are using so as not to spoil it.
• Storing ground coffee is the main problem. This period of time is very limited. When the grains are ground, the resulting mixture must be stored in an airtight container or jar with a tight lid. Also take into account the roasting period of the beans themselves; if 4 months have passed, the drink begins to lose its beneficial and taste properties.
• Special tools, which are necessary for preparing some types of ground coffee, once again create complications and troubles for its consumers.

How is instant coffee produced?

Instant coffee is made from an infusion made from coffee beans. To prepare the infusion, coffee beans are first roasted and ground, and then the resulting powder is brewed. After brewing, the extract is dried to form a powder, which is then moistened and dried in a vacuum or sprayed. During the spraying process, flavor and odor enhancers are added to the granules. Instant coffee can be powdered or granulated. The difference between the latter in production lies in the final stage: steam treatment. There is also freeze-dried coffee, which is made by preparing a coffee decoction and freezing it at a very low temperature. After dehydration in a vacuum environment at low pressure, the extract is crushed into small particles.

The secret of a fragrant drink. How professionals choose coffee Read more

Which bean coffee is considered tasty and strong?

Arabica is the most popular variety of coffee, which is considered to be the most delicious and richest, with exquisite sourness.

Robusta is a stronger variety with a persistent bitterness.

Excelsa and Liberica are coffee varieties that are used more often as additives to other coffee varieties with a milder taste, since they are very tart and can rarely be found in Russia in their pure form. Mocha drink is prepared from Excelsa.

There are many coffee varieties with hard-to-remember names tied to their homelands - Brazil, Kenya, Africa and other countries.

Brazilian coffee is only suitable as a flavoring additive in small quantities. It is grown in soils high in quinine, which is why it has a pharmaceutical flavor.

If coffee is sold under the brand name “ Cubita ”, then the birthplace of such a specific taste of coffee is Cuba, which is a supplier of blended coffee varieties with pepper. This type of coffee is also looking for “its” consumer.

Harari Ethiopian coffee is quite strong and is loved by chocolate connoisseurs.

Kilimanjaro Kenya attracts fans of wine-fruit and spicy notes in coffee.

Geisha is a coffee variety from Panama that today ranks almost first in the coffee rankings in terms of brightness of taste, strength and exoticism, with a light lime aftertaste.

Plantation - Indian coffee varieties, preferred by lovers of rich aroma and low acidity of the composition.

In Guatemalan Antigua, a pronounced chocolate aroma predominates and there is almost no bitterness, which is very popular with lovers of soft coffee flavors.

Coffee connoisseurs argue that preference should be given to single-origin coffee beans rather than coffee blends, and only in ground form.

The leader in the ranking of the most delicious coffee varieties in Russia is the Jardin brand, which has a flavor range from very mild to very strong drink. And Arabica coffee in terms of strength is unlikely to soon find a worthy rival in the consumer market.

Every coffee lover chooses the type of drink according to personal preferences and is firmly convinced that the most delicious coffee is the one that is prepared with love and care.

What's with caffeine?

Instant coffee is made primarily from robusta, which is not the best variety. The caffeine content in it is significantly higher than in elite Arabica beans. Logically, granules and sublimate should prevail over grinding in terms of tonic alkaloid content. But that's not true. After undergoing multi-stage processing, the beans lose most of the caffeine.

• This is interesting: Where is there more caffeine, in tea or instant coffee?

A portion of ground coffee brewed in a Turk contains about 100 mg of energy. A cup of instant coffee will contain around 60 mg of this alkaloid. The indicator may fluctuate depending on the brand, but this does not change the picture. Has anyone been looking for the benefits of instant coffee? Here's the first one!

Natural ground coffee

This is a drink made from roasted and ground beans obtained from the kernel of the coffee tree. There are about 90 varieties of coffee tree , but the most popular are Arabica and Robusta . The harvest is harvested both manually and mechanically, which subsequently affects the quality and price of the finished product. Then the berries are sorted, washed, dried and sent to enterprises for further packaging and export.

Cleaned beans, they already have the name “green coffee” , are brought for testing - cupping . Cappers evaluate the raw materials by appearance, then roast, grind and analyze the taste of the grains.

Roasting or “pyrolysis” of coffee beans reveals that unique taste and aroma that everyone expects from their favorite drink. There are 4 roast levels, from light to very dark:

1. Scandinavian.
2. Viennese.
3. French.
4. Italian.

grinding begins . The degree of grinding determines the method of preparing the invigorating drink. So small, “to dust”, is suitable for Turks, medium – for espresso, large – for French press.

The best and most aromatic coffee comes from freshly ground beans.

Which is healthier?

We won’t lie: ground beans and instant coffee contain useful substances, but in the first case their final concentration is higher.

So, how does ground coffee differ from instant coffee in terms of the content of basic chemical elements and compounds:

• more lipid acids that prevent the development of cancer;
• more potassium, which is responsible for muscle contraction;
• more magnesium, which promotes the constriction and dilation of blood vessels;
• over 300 microelements and vitamin PP, which improves the condition of skin and hair.

Don't rush to conclusions. It turned out that instant coffee is better in terms of the concentration of cafestol, which in large quantities leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels. In an instant drink it is 2 times less. Again, a lot of organic compounds are released when boiled in a Turk. How to make coffee to avoid this? Strain the brewed infusion through a paper filter or prepare espresso in a coffee machine.

Can I drink ground coffee as instant coffee? Yes. Pour boiling water over a ceramic cup, pour finely ground coffee powder into it, fill it with hot water (about 90 degrees Celsius), cover with a saucer, and leave to brew for 5 minutes. Unfortunately, the drink will turn out to be less aromatic and tasty than those obtained using traditional methods.