If you Google “How to prepare instant coffee”, you’re going to come across NUMEROUS articles explaining how to do exactly that.
And you may wonder how it’s possible that there could be so many ways that so many people prepare instant coffee.
The reason is very straightforward: It’s because there ARE so many perfect ways to prepare instant coffee.
We’re all different and we all like different things.
That holds true for how we like our coffee as well.
Some people like it with milk, some without.
Some with sugar, some without.
That is the reason that this article is not about how to prepare the perfect cup of instant coffee, but about how I prepare the perfect cup of instant coffee.
Over the years I have tried and tested all these different tips and tricks and and I have, in the end, found what works for ME.
Let’s be honest, there are only so many different ways in which you can prepare instant coffee. But you would be surprised what the difference is in taste between these different ways!
So without further delays, here is how I prepare my instant coffee.
In this article I will discuss:
How To Prepare The Perfect Cup Of Instant Coffee
I like coffee with milk and sugar, so my recipe has both those incorporated.
I also like creamy coffee, and that is why this specific way proved to me to be the best way to do it.
Boil The Water
First, get the water boiling.
I can’t emphasize the following enough: DON’T USE TAP WATER.
Water makes a HUGE difference in the taste of instant coffee.
You don’t want any chlorine in there.
So use filtered water.
It’s absolutely worth it to get yourself a water filter, even if it is only a small countertop unit.
In the long run it’s better to get one of those multistage systems. They filter much larger quantities of water and they also do a better job than these smaller units.
Check out our article here for more info on this topic.
If you have problems with limescale, you could also read up more about water softeners here.
All of these measures adds to water quality which has an effect on water taste.
Add Your Instant Coffee
While you wait for the water to boil, get your favorite mug ready and add one teaspoon of instant coffee.
Over time you will find out what exact amount of instant coffee you like, but a good start is just an average between a heaped and level teaspoon.
Then, also remember, there’s coffee and there’s coffee.
There are so many different brands, all in different strengths, some powders and others granules.
I have found the granules to have more flavour and having less of a burnt taste.
Also, just check out which options there are in terms of strength ratings on the available coffees.
Like with the amount of coffee per mug you prefer, you will also get to know which brand and which strength coffee you prefer.
It’s just experimentation.
Add Your Sugar
I like sugar in my coffee.
If you don’t, just skip this step.
Add the amount of sugar you usually like to the mug and instant coffee.
You get different types of sugar and they taste different.
That also affects how the coffee tastes.
I personally prefer raw sugar.
I have found it to be the best partner when it gets to sweetening you coffee.
Add Your Milk
Now add milk to the sugar and coffee mix and stir.
Yes, stir even if you haven’t added the boiling water yet.
You want the coffee as dissolved as possible before you add the boiling water.
I just use normal full cream milk.
If you prefer low fat or fat free milk, go ahead. I have found, though, that full cream milk just gives it that extra bit of smoothness.
If you like your coffee really creamy, this is the step where you could add a bit of cream as well.
By the time you have done all the above and given the mix a good stirr, the water would have already boiled or is very close.
Add Boiling Water
When the water has boiled, give it just a moment until the steam has slowed down a bit coming out of the kettle.
Once it’s calmed down, add the water to your mix in the mug.
And here is the crucial part: start stirring the mix before you start adding the water and keep on stirring while you add the water and keep on stirring after you’ve added the water.
Stirring is key.
You don’t want coffee granules to come into direct contact with boiled water.
You can read my article here for an explanation why not.
Enjoy Your Coffee
Yes, I’ve included this here as an official step.
With the rat race going on in the world, people have forgotten how to stop, relax a bit and gather their thoughts.
A break like that goes hand-in-hand with a good cup of coffee.
As with drinking coffee, you have to savour the moment.
Drinking coffee should be an experience rather than just another event of consuming some random beverage.
If you stop for a moment, relax, take a deep breath and slowly sip away your coffee, you will enjoy your coffee to the fullest.
So go to the kettle now, get it going, follow these steps and you will be enjoying an excellent cup of Joe while you take a breather and get mentally recharged.
Enjoy!