wikiHow to Make Better Tasting Instant Coffee

coffee with milk

Instant coffee dates back to at least 1890, and has been a major industry for over a century.^[1]Most consumers, however, like it for the convenience and not the taste. Learn how to leave "coffee flavored water" behind, but be prepared for trial and error.

Ingredients

• Water (bottled or filtered might be best, depending on your local water supply)
• Instant coffee
• Milk or cream (optional)
• Sugar (optional)
• Flavorings, such as cocoa powder, vanilla, or cinnamon (optional)
• Flavored creamer (optional)
• Flavored syrup (optional)
• Vanilla extract (optional)
• 

1. Buy quality instant coffee. Almost no instant coffee brands can compete with ground, but some are pretty decent. Try to find packaging labeled "freeze-dried," which tends to produce a truer coffee flavor than "spray drying."^[2] If the label doesn't specify, check the consistency: granules are more likely to be freeze-dried than powder is, though this is not a guarantee.^[3] Finally, more expensive brands tend to taste better.

   • If you're not sure where to start, try Medaglia d'Oro or Starbucks VIA Colombia. These tend to convert more coffee snobs than most brands.
   • Instant espresso powder is a different product, meant for baking instead of drinking.^[4]
   • 

   1. Buy quality instant coffee. Almost no instant coffee brands can compete with ground, but some are pretty decent. Try to find packaging labeled "freeze-dried," which tends to produce a truer coffee flavor than "spray drying."^[2] If the label doesn't specify, check the consistency: granules are more likely to be freeze-dried than powder is, though this is not a guarantee.^[3] Finally, more expensive brands tend to taste better.

      • If you're not sure where to start, try Medaglia d'Oro or Starbucks VIA Colombia. These tend to convert more coffee snobs than most brands.
      • Instant espresso powder is a different product, meant for baking instead of drinking.^[4]
      • 

      1. Stir in the sugar and milk (optional). Even if you prefer black coffee, most instant blends could use the flavor help. Stir in as much or as little as you like, making sure all the sugar dissolves. If your instant coffee has a particularly bad taste, cream will hide it better than milk.
      2. 

      1. Taste and adjust. The most effective way to improve your cup is to keep experimenting, and to keep track of what you tried. Try an extra teaspoon (5mL) of coffee next time if the brew was too watery, or add another pinch of sugar if it tastes too bitter. Instant coffee will never be gourmet, but your choices can make it enjoyable.

         • Use the same spoon and same mug each time so you have a benchmark for the coffee to water ratio.
         • 

      1. Store the leftovers in an airtight container. Humidity will spoil the flavor of your instant coffee. Keep it out by sealing the container tightly.

         • If you live in a humid climate, transfer the leftovers to smaller containers as you use them up. This will minimize the amount of air that contacts the coffee. In extra-humid tropics, the refrigerator might be drier than your cupboards.^[8]

         1. Replace the water with milk. Some say that the coffee itself is a lost cause. If the techniques above don't help, try replacing all the water with hot milk. Heat the milk over the stovetop until it begins to bubble around the edges. Pour it onto the coffee powder instead of water.

            • Keep an eye on the milk and stir occasionally. Unattended milk can overflow rapidly.

            1. Froth milk into a cappuccino. Your "instant cappuccino" won't impress an Italian, but a little froth can go a long way. If you don't have a handheld frother, froth the milk and instant coffee by whisking or shaking it in a jar.

               • To froth up the mixture with a spoon, add the instant coffee and sugar to a cup, then stir in enough water to make a paste. Beat this with a spoon until foamy, then stir in the hot milk.^[9]

               1. Add flavors. Strong, usually sweet flavors are another way to hide poor tastes. Here are a few suggestions:

                  • Replace the milk and sugar with flavored creamers, or homemade flavored milk.
                  • Add flavorings such as vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or ground cinnamon, stirred in thoroughly. Careful — it's easy to overdo these if making a single cup.
                  • Replace the sugar with the flavored syrup of your choice. You can even buy liquid coffee essence or extract to add a bigger punch of coffee flavor. Keep in mind that commercial syrups often include high fructose corn syrup.