Instant or Filter Coffee: Which one is better?

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Table of Content:

  • Introduction
  • What are instant coffee and filter coffee?
  • History of instant coffee and filter coffee 
  • Difference between instant coffee and filter coffee
  • Instant or Filter Coffee: Which one is better?
  • Discover the true flavour of coffee
  • Conclusion

Introduction

It's always been a debate about whether instant coffee or filter coffee is better for a coffee lover. Both have their own benefits and ultimately depend on personal preference. Instant coffee is convenient and quick to prepare, while filter coffee offers a more authentic taste and aroma.

In this blog, we will discuss the differences between instant and filter coffee and help you decide which is the best option. Read the entire blog to know all about instant coffee and filter coffee.

What are instant coffee and filter coffee?

We could divide the coffee-making methods basically into two categories, which are commonly known as instant coffee and filter coffee. 

While instant coffee is a quick and easy option that can be made by just mixing the coffee powder with hot water, the filter coffee process is a bit longer when compared to instant coffee. 

Filter coffee is known to have a richer flavour and aroma as the natural oils and flavours of the coffee beans are extracted during the brewing process.

The process of making instant coffee

  • The instant coffee process begins at the roaster, where the beans are roasted and cooled.
  • Then, hot water is added to the roasted beans to extract soluble solids and create a diluted extract. 
  • The water is then removed from the extract in concentrators, and the concentrated extract is sent to a drying tower. 
  • In the tower, hot air is used to evaporate the water from the extract to get the coffee powder.
  • Finally, the powder is moistened with steam to create granules, which are then dried to produce instant coffee.

The process of making filter coffee

  • The process of making filter coffee powder starts with harvesting coffee beans and removing their outer layers. 
  • Then the raw green coffee beans are roasted at a high temperature. The roasting process is what causes the beans to turn brown and develop their characteristic flavour and aroma. 
  • Once the beans have been roasted, they are cooled and ground into a fine powder using a coffee grinder. 
  • This ground coffee powder is then packaged and sealed to maintain its freshness and aroma. 

 

Did you know?

Around 90% of coffee in India is produced in three South Indian states - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

History of instant coffee and filter coffee 

Instant coffee

The first instant coffee was believed to have been created by Satori Kato, a Japanese chemist, but it was actually David Strang who invented it two years before Satori Kato did.

It then started when a Swiss company began marketing instant coffee as a convenient way of making coffee without undergoing a long process of brewing and making coffee.

Filter Coffee

When we look back at the history of filter coffee, we can’t go without mentioning Melitta Bentz, a mother of three.

It is believed that she was the one who accidentally discovered the method of filtering coffee using blotting paper.

In India, it all started when a saint from Chikmagalur named Baba Budan came to India with a few coffee seeds while returning from his pilgrimage. 

Thus coffee entered the market in India, and the South Indian filter coffee became the most preferred and favourite form of coffee among Indians. 

Difference between instant coffee and filter coffee

Key differences

Instant coffee

Filter coffee

Process of making

Instant coffee is made by simply mixing the ground coffee powder with hot water or milk.

Filter coffee is made by dripping hot water through a filter containing ground coffee. 

Time to make

Instant coffee can be made easily and quickly.

Filter coffee takes longer to brew than instant coffee.

Flavours

Though instant coffee is strong and intense, it doesn't have as much flavour as filter coffee does. 

Filter coffee has a rich and more intense flavour than instant coffee.

Texture

Instant coffee has a finer texture and can be dissolved easily in water or milk.

Filter coffee is coarser in texture, and thus the coffee ground doesn't penetrate through the filter.

Caffeine content

An average cup of instant coffee contains about 63 mg of caffeine.

An average cup of filter coffee contains 95 mg of caffeine. 

Instant or Filter Coffee: Which one is better?

To answer this, it completely depends on an individual's personal preference. If you need something quick, instant coffee is a convenient and quick option. If you're a person who wants to enjoy the rich and intense flavours of coffee, then filter coffee is a great choice. 

Discover the true flavour of coffee...

If you are looking to experience authentic filter coffee or strong and intense instant coffee, Levista coffee is the best choice to opt for. Levista offers premium coffee grounds that give you the ultimate coffee experience.

You could get a wide range of filter coffee and instant coffee at Levista, with options to choose from different ratios of coffee grounds, such as 60% and 40% or 80% and 20% of coffee and chicory blend.

Conclusion

Instant and filter coffee have significant differences, and as we have discussed above, filter coffee has a stronger flavour due to its higher concentration, while instant coffee has more balanced flavours. Both types have their own benefits and can be enjoyed in different ways depending on one’s preference.