Are instant coffees of inferior quality compared to regular types of coffee?
Question by Alexander T: Are instant coffees of inferior quality compared to regular types of coffee?
Is the cosumption of instant coffee from health standpoint of view worse than drinking, say, espresso or filter coffee regularly? I am asking because I find myself drinking quite a lot of instant coffee during the day, while in the office.
Best answer:
Answer by upallnight
I’ve never heard of any more danger. Too much of either kind is bad for you, but it’s fine in moderation.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Instant coffee is a beverage derived from brewed coffee beans. Through various manufacturing processes the coffee is dehydrated into the form of powder or granules. These can be rehydrated using hot water to provide a drink similar to brewed coffee.
As you’ve probably found, the advantages of instant coffee are; speed of preparation (no time is required for infusing the coffee — it is ready as soon as the hot water is added), reduced weight and volume, and long shelf life.
The disadvantages are that instant coffee is easily spoiled if not kept dry and that its taste is of a lower quality than that of freshly-brewed coffee. In particular, the percentage of caffeine in instant coffee is less, and undesirable bitter flavor components are more present. The lowest quality coffee beans are used in the production of instant coffee (the best beans are usually kept to be sold whole) and sometimes other unwanted residues from the harvest are used in the production process.
As you may know, there is really no nutritional value to coffee, whether instant or brewed. However, the latest research has not only confirmed that moderate coffee consumption doesn’t cause harm, it’s also uncovered possible benefits whether instant or brewed. Studies show that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among those who don’t drink it. Also, coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease, and reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Coffee has also been shown to improve endurance performance in long-duration physical activities.
Coffee is consumed in large part not simply because of taste, but because of the effect it has on those who drink it. You’re basically going to get a lower dose of caffiene with instant coffee, thus the stimulating effect will be less.
The only benefit that I know of in regard to instant coffee being better than brewed, is that drinking instant coffee can help prevent tooth decay a bit better than brewed coffee. A recent study concluded that coffee had the unique ability to inhibit some microorganisms, particularly Streptococcus mutans, from binding to tooth enamel, the hard outside surface of our teeth. S mutans bacteria produce acid, which breaks down the enamel, causing cavities. Trigonelline, a component of coffee responsible for its aroma and bitter taste, is the anti-adhesive that prevents dental caries from forming. It was found that instant coffee is the best in fighting these microorganisms compared to brewed coffee.
Take care.