Is Instant Coffee Filtered or Unfiltered?

It doesn’t taste quite like roast coffee, but is instant coffee filtered or unfiltered? We explore.

is instant coffee filtered or unfiltered
Coffee is one of the most desired caffeinated beverages across the planet

Coffee is one of the most desired caffeinated beverages across the planet. Look at Starbucks and where it’s at now compared to where it began. Everyone has their own personal taste when it comes to coffee. 

We like what we like, not much to argue with from that standpoint. 

I also have a deep liking for coffee. I had a question pop into mind recently. Is instant coffee filtered or unfiltered? This is what I found out.

Instant coffee is not filtered coffee. Instant coffee is pre-ground coffee beans that have gone through the process of being turned into a coffee solution/blend. During this process, instant coffee uses a chemical process to remove water further and dry the coffee.

Instant coffee can be referred to as soluble coffee, coffee crystals, and coffee powder. The core principle behind instant coffee is the ability to make coffee quickly by only adding hot water to the mix. Instant coffee is also a much cleaner process that requires far less cleanup and maintenance.

Is Instant Coffee Bad For You?

Since we know there are obvious differences between instant coffee and filtered coffee, I was also curious if there were any significant differences in the health factor involved for instant coffee drinkers. Here is what I learned

Instant coffee contains less caffeine than filtered coffee but still allows all other antioxidants to pass through during the brewing phase.

Instant coffee can even give other health benefits that most people aren’t aware of. Of course, these aren’t guaranteed benefits by any means, and most of these benefits are linked to caffeine intake, but nonetheless, it can go to show that having a nice cup of instant coffee is not going to be harmful to the human body.

 Improved Mental Capability and Brain Function

 Metabolism Booster

• Live Longer Lives

 Better or Increased Liver Health

• Lower the Risk of Diabetes

Lower Overall Risk of Disease Such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s

Overall instant coffee is a safe, healthy beverage. The calorie count is low and has the same overall advantages to one’s health that filtered coffee offers.

Is Instant Coffee Natural?

Instant coffee just like filtered coffee is 100% natural and pure. The most significant difference is just the process itself. 

Instant coffee is still nothing but natural coffee and water. No additives are needed to create instant coffee. 

The process is however different which is what allows instant coffee to exist. Instant coffee is prepared in a manner that forms a soluble coffee powder that’s ready for roasting and to is brewed into liquid coffee.

Is Brewed Coffee Better Than Instant Coffee? Which Taste Better?

This depends on how you want to look at it. If you are comparing the health benefits, we have already covered that instant coffee could potentially be considered a healthier choice due to the lower caffeine levels. If we are looking at other items and trying to decide which is best, then it becomes an entirely different breakdown.

Instant Coffee is 100% more simple to make. Add hot water, and that’s basically the end of the story. It can be completed in under a minute, and if you’re the kind of person that’s always in a hurry, then instant coffee is the way to go. 

Hands down. Ground coffee just doesn’t have these capabilities, unfortunately. Not yet at least.

At the bare minimum, ground coffee or filtered coffee is going to take at least 3-5 minutes before you can achieve that caffeine high that you have been waiting for. This doesn’t even include rinsing or the cleaning phase that ground/filtered coffee entails.

Does Brewed Coffee Or Instant Coffee Taste Better?

two black coffee in the top of a table
Brewed coffee is known for using higher-quality beans

I’m sure this could become the topic of popular debate, but overall, the consensus is that brewed coffee is going to pack more flavor than instant coffee will. Brewed coffee can keep all oils and properties intact while the brewing process is underway.

Also, it is common knowledge that instant coffee isn’t known for using the highest quality coffee beans. Why would they? It’s the convenience and speed delivery they are selling, not world-class coffee beans. 

Higher priced beans would cost these instant coffee manufactures too much money to make it worth it, and it sells just fine the way it is. However, brewed coffee is known for using higher quality beans and has more options available to fit your taste buds and personal preference.

Which One Is The Best On The Pocket Book?

When you’re trying to save money on your coffee habit. Instant coffee can be a great choice. Instant coffee is cheap. Part of this is due to using cheaper beans than brewed coffee. 

You also don’t need any fancy special equipment to make instant coffee. 

Overall when debating if brewed coffee is better than instant coffee it comes down to your personal taste preference, how much time you have, and the amount of money you are trying to spend.

Both have plenty of added perks and some drawbacks, so it ultimately becomes your choice.

Can You Use Ground Coffee Or Filtered Coffee As Instant Coffee?

This is another question that I see pop up quite often. Can you use ground coffee or filtered coffee as instant coffee? No, it’s not going to create a very good flavor, and most likely you are going to be strongly disappointed by the result you achieve.

Instant coffee is so naturally easy to make in general that no point really exists even to try.

What’s The Best Instant Coffee, What Do You Look For?

A close up of a jar of coffee.
Instant coffee

Deciding which instant coffee to purchase may seem like you have too many options that all look basically the same. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that they are all simple and fast solutions to making coffee as opposed to brewed coffee. Here are some other items to consider when determining the best instant coffee,

 Taste or Powerful Flavor

• How Portable and Compact is the Packaging?

• Shelf Life?

• Overall Price

 Freeze– Dried Over Spray Dried?

All these items make up the final package when it comes to brands and variations of instant coffee. Finding the perfect mix is up to you and what suits you best.

If you already bought an instant coffee and it didn’t taste good, you can have a look at my previous article – 17 WAYS TO MAKE INSTANT COFFEE TASTE BETTER. I have spent much time on this article so I believe you would like it.

What Do You Need To Make Basic Instant Coffee?

Making instant coffee is a walk in the park. You don’t need much. All you need is two items but a few more items are optional. 

• 1 Cup of Hot Water

• 1 to 2 Teaspoons of Instant Coffee (Amount Optional)

 Creamer or Mil (Optional)

• Spices (Optional)

• Sugar (Optional)

From here you just need to follow a few quick steps to begin drinking the instant coffee.

Start by heating up a cup of water in the microwave. If you prefer you can also use a kettle over the stove. Remove the water from the oven just before boil or remove it from the microwave after 60 seconds.

After that, just place 1 or two teaspoons into the coffee mug. If you need a really strong boost, add a few more teaspoons. If you aren’t in the mood for a huge caffeine rush, just have 1 teaspoon.

Its recommended next to dissolve the coffee in cold water first to help maintain the flavor of the instant coffee. Going straight to the hot water will create a bit of flavor loss.

It’s Done, Now What?

After this, the sky is the limit and entirely up to you. You can either mix with hot water and be good to go or begin adding other ingredients to hit the perfect sweet spot such as,

• Sugars and Spices

 A Hint of Whip Cream

 Ice to Make Ice Coffee

Whatever floats your boat at this point, but the process is complete. That entire process should have taken you roughly 90 seconds to complete, and the only cleanup you should have remaining is washing the cup in your hand after your finished drinking it.

What Your Preference? Instant Coffee Filtered Or Unfiltered?

Clearly, they have some distinctive trademarks that make them special in their own unique ways. Instant coffee and filtered coffee are clearly not the same but at the same time, both are simple in nature, and both give us that nice big boost of caffeine in the morning. So, what’s your preference?

Author

  • Aisling O'Connor

    Aisling is an Irish food and drinks writer and journalist fueled by coffee and herbal tea. She followed up her journalism degree with nutrition studies. Find Aisling on LinkedIn.