The Journal

Instant coffee has a reputation that’s mired somewhat in the simplicity of the product, but its history is both richer than most imagine and far more complicated. Early experiments in the late 19th century sought ways to create coffee that could be stored, transported, and quickly rehydrated to meet the demands of a booming global market, whilst withstanding long voyages across the ocean. The first stable soluble coffees were developed using spray-drying and later refined with freeze-drying, which preserved more of the brewed coffee’s aroma and character.