Instant coffee powder

Instant coffee powder is a form of soluble coffee made from roasted and ground coffee beans, processed to remove moisture and convert them into a fine powder or granules. Its main characteristic is the speed and ease of preparing a coffee beverage by simply dissolving the powder in hot water, with no need for a coffee maker or filters.

This product has its origins in the advances of 20th-century food technology, initially developed for military and preservation purposes to facilitate coffee consumption in different contexts. Since then, its popularity has spread worldwide, especially in homes and offices where practicality is valued.

Among its properties, instant coffee retains most of the natural stimulant compounds of coffee, such as caffeine, although in varying concentrations depending on the brand and type. Furthermore, being dehydrated, it has a long shelf life and does not require refrigeration. In nutritional terms, it provides antioxidants and very few calories, as long as it is consumed without additives.

In the Spanish-speaking world, instant coffee powder goes by several names depending on the region, such as soluble coffee, instant coffee, dehydrated coffee, or simply coffee powder. These terms are interchangeable in the context of recipes and the preparation of quick coffee-based beverages.