What type of coffee do you like best? You probably already know there are many ways to prepare and consume it, and you also know that there are two most commonly used: instant coffee and ground coffee.

Instant coffee is easier to prepare because you just pour it into hot water and drink it immediately. Ground coffee, on the other hand, requires more preparation because you have to wait a few minutes for the water to reach boiling point so you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.

Ground coffee is obtained from coffee beans, which are ground using specialized machines to ensure uniform particle size and quality. After grinding, it is hermetically sealed and vacuum-sealed to preserve its aroma for as long as possible.

On the other hand, instant coffee is made from 100% coffee beans. Before beginning the entire manufacturing process, the beans undergo quality control. They are then roasted, ground, and infused to become instant coffee.

The key to the instant coffee process lies in the elimination of water from the infused product, as it is during this step that the coffee beans turn into dehydrated crystals, making it instant. There are two methods for achieving this: spray dehydration and freeze dehydration or freeze-drying.

In spray drying, the brew passes through a nozzle and is sprayed, forming a large spray of brew droplets. As it passes through a tower of very hot, dry air, the water evaporates rapidly, leaving behind instant coffee powder.

In freeze-drying, or freeze-drying, the coffee is reduced to a concentrate and cooled to -6 degrees Celsius (-24 degrees Fahrenheit) in the form of slush. It is then cooled again to -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit) in a tray until blocks of iced coffee are formed. When these are ready, they are broken into granules and placed in a drying vacuum where the ice evaporates, resulting in instant coffee, more commonly known as freeze-dried coffee.

As you can see, you already know how these three types of coffee are made. Now I'll describe their characteristics, but first I'll focus on the differences between ground coffee and instant coffee in general. Then I'll discuss instant coffee and freeze-dried coffee.

Differences between ground coffee and instant coffee

1. Instant coffee keeps longer than ground coffee.
2. Ground coffee is more expensive.
3. Instant coffee has more “acrylamide” than ground coffee.
4. Instant coffee has less caffeine than ground coffee.
5. Ground coffee retains more of its original flavors. Instant coffee loses them due to the way it's processed and the amount of sugar added.
6. Instant coffee can be used to make iced coffee.

Differences between instant coffee and freeze-dried coffee

It's important to clarify that both types of coffee are instant, and their main difference lies in the dehydration method. Other differences include the following:

1. Instant coffee is sold ground, while freeze-dried coffee is available in granules or small pebbles.
2. In both coffees the aroma and flavor are different.
3. Freeze-dried coffee retains more of its organoleptic properties, whereas instant coffee loses them due to the chemical manipulation it undergoes.
4. Instant coffee is less expensive.
5. Freeze-dried coffee preserves more of its original aromas thanks to the freezing process.

Finally, a question arises: Are these three types of coffee good or harmful to your health?

Due to its processing method, ground coffee is healthier because it contains less acrylamide. This substance is considered very dangerous because it forms in starchy foods when subjected to high temperatures. According to research, instant coffee has twice as much acrylamide as ground coffee. Although its amount is very low, acrylamide increases the risk of cancer if consumed excessively.

Another issue is caffeine. Although it has antioxidant properties, excessive consumption is not good for your health. Due to the type of processing coffee undergoes to convert it into instant coffee, the caffeine content is greatly reduced. Remember that instant coffee comes primarily from the Robusta variety, which is known for its high caffeine content. Consequently, while a cup of ground coffee contains 96 milligrams of caffeine, a cup of instant coffee contains 63 milligrams of caffeine, a considerably low amount compared to ground coffee.

Finally, according to medical research, both types of coffee are nutritionally equal. Ground coffee has less acrylamide, and instant coffee has 30% less caffeine. It's up to you to decide which one you prefer. The important thing is not to overindulge and not to let each morning go by without enjoying a delicious and exquisite cup of coffee.