Better Instant Coffee

INSTANT

For something simple and not-so-tasty, there is always instant coffee.  In this case you place some instant coffee in your cup and then fill with boiling water.  I would never drink instant coffee when one of the other options is available.  However, if instant is the only option, then I find it to be drinkable.

 

I recently discovered that Starbuck’s has developed its own instant coffee.  They call it something else, and it is slightly different, but it works the same way.  Pour in the dry coffee, pour in the hot water, stir, and don’t worry about filters or grinds.  I think this Starbuck’s instant coffee tastes just as good as regularly brewed coffee.

 

HELP FOR INSTANT

 

If you are stuck drinking instant coffee, for example on a camping trip, there are ways to improve the flavor.  Perhaps you like artificial creamer.  Then go right ahead and use that, I won’t judge you.  Another option is instant milk.  This sounds disgusting to me, and it doesn’t taste good by itself, but it tastes pretty good mixed into coffee.  A similar enhancement would be instant hot chocolate mixed into your coffee.  There is also a product called vanilla sugar, which is simply vanilla flavored sugar, available in powdered or granulated sugar.  Cinnamon can also improve the taste of instant coffee.

 

COFFEE SINGLES

 

An alternative to instant coffee is coffee single.  This option is like a tea bag, except instead of tea leave in the bag, there are coffee grinds.  Technically, this is not instant, since you still have grinds left at the end.  Coffee singles, however, are almost as convenient as instant, and the resulting beverage tastes better..

 

OTHER THINGS TO ADD TO COFFEE

 

If you are making coffee at home and want to add something, then there are more possibilities.   Obviously, there is sugar, cream, and artificial alternative.  There are also variously flavored syrups, such as vanilla and hazelnut.  You can also add liqueurs, such as Irish cream, kahlua, or praline.

 

Of course you can add ice to make iced coffee, put it in the blender for a blended drink, or put it in your ice cream maker for something even colder and smoother.

 

ADD COFFEE TO OTHER THINGS

 

As long as we’re talking about possibilities, let’s talk about adding coffee to other recipes.  Perhaps the most obvious is coffee drinks, such as White Russians with cream and kahlua.  You can also make creamy coffee-flavored desserts, such as ice cream, mousse, or frosting.  If you make chocolate rumballs or truffles, you can roll these in instant or ground coffee.  In baked recipes, such as cake, you can add strong coffee in place of water or you can add dry instant coffee.  There are some creative, savory dishes as well, such as coffee-crusted chicken or pork.