I try not to write about instant coffee too much simply because I’m not a big drinker of it. Personally, I find the difference between coffee made with freshly ground coffee beans far superior to store-bought instant coffee.

I do see the appeal of instant coffee. It eliminates the need for brewing equipment makes instant coffee far too convenient for people who are simply strapped for time and desperately need a caffeine hit.

But what if you are a coffee connoisseur who refuses to drink instant coffee but still requires something just as convenient and efficient. Do you have an option?

You might find yourself asking, can you just pour hot water onto ground coffee beans in a cup? Or…

Can You Turn Coffee Beans Into Instant Coffee?

The short answer is No. You can’t turn coffee beans into instant coffee without all the expensive machinery that many factories in the world have and use.

Instant coffee is brewed and then either freeze-dried or spray-dried before being broken up into many tiny soluble granules, which on contact with water, turn back into coffee.

So, unless you have all the equipment at home, which is highly unlikely, you won’t be able to make instant coffee.

But, it’s not all bad. You can, however, make an instant coffee powder using your roasted coffee beans. Once the powder is produced, you can store it in an airtight container, and when you are without your brewing equipment, simply pour some into a cup, add hot water and enjoy.

How To Make Instant Coffee Powder

Instant coffee powder is the perfect alternative to instant coffee. Some will almost go as far as saying it’s just as good as coffee brewed with freshly ground coffee beans.

I tend to disagree with the above statement. I agree that instant coffee powder is better and fresher than store-bought instant coffee.

What Do You Need To Make Instant Coffee Powder

• Roasted coffee beans, using beans you know you love will always provide a considerable benefit.
• A blade coffee grinder.
• A sifter or fine-mesh strainer.
• An airtight storage container or mason jar.

Making Instant Coffee Powder

• Depending on the strength and quantity you plan on making, measure out one or more scoops of roasted coffee beans and add them into your grinder.
• Using the finest settings on your grinder, grind until you are left with a fine powder-like texture.
• Using the sift to filter out any large coffee grounds, pour the coffee powder from the grinder into the airtight container.
• Any remaining coffee grounds in the sift can be discarded.
• When you are ready to brew a cup of coffee using your coffee powder, place a scoop of powder into your mug and then pour hot water. Add milk or sugar if required, give it a little stir and enjoy a cup of homemade instant coffee powder.

Any coffee grounds that didn’t dissolve will rest at the bottom of your cup, and it will only taste clumpy and gritty if you decide to drink the last bit.

If stored correctly, the coffee powders will last between 7 to 10 days, often more than enough to take on an entire camping trip.

Summary

While you can’t create instant coffee identical to those bought in the store, you can make powdered coffee using roasted coffee beans that are often better than instant coffee.

It doesn’t take too much time to grind it all up and store it away, but I’d advise against grinding bulk and keeping them for too long of a period. You might just end up brewing a cup of rancid coffee which isn’t fun to drink.

To still have the best coffee powder freshness, grind smaller batches and don’t keep it stored away for too long.

Top 5 how to make instant coffee from ground coffee edited by Top Chef