From Convenience to Craft; Instant Coffee Is Becoming More Specialty

How has specialty coffee made its way to instant coffee?

Instant coffee has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century. Originally marketed as a quick and easy way to enjoy coffee, instant coffee has evolved over the years, with a focus on quality and taste. Instant coffee has long faced a misperception in the world of coffee aficionados, often being dismissed as inferior to freshly brewed coffee. But it's important to note that not all instant coffee is created equally. Many brands have made significant improvements to their production processes, using higher-quality coffee beans and more advanced production techniques to produce instant coffee that is much closer in taste and aroma to freshly brewed coffee. Single-origin instant coffee, which can offer a much more complex and nuanced flavor profile than traditional blended instant coffee, is becoming more common. Moreover, specialty coffee roasters have begun to embrace instant coffee to reach a broader audience and offer a convenient high-quality coffee experience.

Micro ground products have revolutionized the perception of instant coffee and closed the gap between roast and ground (R&G) and soluble. These involve adding a small percentage of very finely ground roasted coffee beans to the coffee, creating texture and mouthfeel and releasing aroma into the cup. Sucafina  Instant offers one of the widest ranges of micro ground instant coffees in the business – and it forms just a small part of our extensive portfolio of superior quality instant coffees. 

Specialty coffee roasters are getting in on the instant action too. Many roasters are now offering instant coffee as part of their portfolio, using their expertise in sourcing and roasting to create specialty instant coffees that rival fresh-brewed coffee. This has opened new revenue streams for specialty coffee roasters, while also making instant gourmet coffee more accessible to consumers who may not have the time or equipment to brew coffee at home or on the go but could always carry a sachet of instant. With our team of experts available across the globe, Sucafina Instant brings together the world’s best instant coffee suppliers and roasters to provide you with unrivalled quality and specialty range that caters to your local needs.

What are the current trends and innovations in instant coffee?

The rise of specialty instant coffee has also led to a range of new trends and innovations in the industry. One of the most notable trends is the use of flavored and functional ingredients in instant coffee – new and exciting flavors and blends are being introduced to the market all the time. From classic flavors, such as vanilla and caramel, to more innovative flavors such as matcha and turmeric, instant coffee has never been more delicious and exciting. What’s more, instant coffee is also being blended with new ingredients, such as protein and superfoods, creating a new category of instant coffee products, including instant coffee protein shakes.

Cold brew has been a sensation especially in North America and Sucafina Instant can also deliver clients instant cold brew coffee solutions. Just like R&G cold brew, instant cold brew extraction takes several hours before the soluble coffee solids are dried. The result is a smooth, creamy, and naturally sweet beverage that can be served in seconds with the addition of ice-cold or hot water. 

Furthermore, the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging for instant coffee is on the rise. Many specialty instant coffee brands are now offering compostable or recyclable packaging, reducing the environmental impact of their products and appealing to consumers who are passionate about sustainability. At Sucafina Instant, we have many options for finished goods packaging, which reduces the use of plastic and offers a premium aesthetic.

The rise of specialty instant coffee reflects the changing coffee landscape, as consumers demand both convenience and quality. Embracing instant coffee can be a great way to offer high-quality coffee experiences to a broader audience, and specialty coffee roasters and producers are expanding the industry and pushing the boundaries of what is possible with instant coffee. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see what new innovations and trends emerge next in the world of instant coffee.

At Sucafina Instant, we are your one-stop shop for instant coffee products. Our aim is to help brands and manufacturers find the right coffee solutions for their needs. We offer an unparalleled range of sustainably sourced and certified instant coffee in bulk and options for finished goods with our packaging formats that include plastic-free and recyclable containers in many shapes and sizes. We aim to create and maintain a transparent and sustainable supply chain by connecting coffee farmers directly with consumers and manufacturers via the farmer connect technology which shows the traceability of your instant coffee product and its whole supply chain.