If you are reading this, there is a very high likelihood that you have consumed instant coffee at least once in your lifetime. Today’s instant coffee can be found at shopping malls, grocery stores, and online. In fact, the beverage has become quite affordable, and it is a common diet in many homes and offices. However, this wasn’t always the case, as instant coffee used to be quite expensive. But why is instant coffee cheap?
Why is instant coffee cheap? Instant coffee is cheaper than ground coffee because of the type of coffee beans used. Instant coffee mostly makes use of Robusta coffee bean which is much cheaper than arabica beans. With instant coffee, you don’t need specialized coffee machines as you’d need with ground coffee which is another reason why it’s cheaper.
Between Ground Coffee and Instant Coffee, Which is Cheaper?
Let’s carry on and review the reasons why instant coffee is cheap and how it compares to ground coffee.
The Difference between Instant Coffee and Ground Coffee
The opposite version of instant coffee is ground coffee, and we need to make this distinction clear because many coffee drinkers confuse the two.
Ground coffee can be made from any of the two popular species of coffee, namely Arabica and Robusta, but of the two, Arabica is the most commonly used variant.
While ground coffee is best made using drip coffee makers, instant coffee does not have to be brewed any further as it has already been dried and brewed.
Also, instant coffee is mostly made with Robusta coffee beans which is cheaper than Arabica.
The preparation method and the coffee species are two of the most notable differences between both. That is why they taste slightly different even though they are both coffee.
Before we proceed to address why is instant coffee cheap, let us evaluate the average price of instant coffee and ground coffee.
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Which is Cheaper?
Ground coffee is much cheaper than it used to be, and so is instant coffee. When you consider the immense value society places on coffee in general and instant coffee in particular, it begs the belief that instant coffee is as cheap as it is.
Also, when you consider how much big brands sell both products, you will notice that instant coffee appears to be much cheaper than ground coffee, even though the former appears to have undergone further processing.
Why is Instant Coffee cheap?
Beans Quality
One of the main reasons why instant coffee is cheap is because manufacturers mostly use cheap coffee beans.
The art of processing coffee beans is quite complex and requires a great deal of effort and investment. So to keep costs low and stay in business, manufacturers prefer to use cheaper coffee beans like Robusta coffee.
Another method is to use coffee beans that have been harvested the previous year but unsold. As you may know, the fresher the beans, the more nutritious. So the longer coffee beans stay out of their pods, the more they drop in quality and the lower their market value.
Also, the volume of instant coffee per packaging is quite low, so manufacturers can afford to sell them for rock bottom prices.
Furthermore, the quality between Robusta and Arabica is far-reaching. Today almost all coffee products sold at stores and online are sourced from Robusta and Arabica. Arabica has a superior taste and texture, while Robusta has a harsher and bitter taste which makes it less valuable.
Robusta is Cheaper to Cultivate
Robusta is also cheaper to cultivate, and they grow faster than Arabica; hence the price per cup is much lower than Arabica. This point best explains why Instant Coffee is so popular.
It is a lot cheaper than ground coffee made from Arabica beans. Secondly, it is far easier to prepare in a matter of minutes since a pack is delivered to you partly prepared.
Related Read: How Much Instant Coffee is Too Much?
Reasons why Robusta Coffee is cheaper than Arabica Coffee
To double down on the reasons why instant coffee is cheap, let us compare the beans used in relation to the beans used for ground coffee. So, in essence, this will be a comparison between Robusta and Arabica coffee.
Cultivation Period
If an Arabica tree and a Robusta tree are planted on the same day, they will not start nearing fruit at the same time. Robusta trees start bearing fruit in the second full year, while Arabica takes about 4 years to start bearing fruit.
This additional two years of maintenance is a very long time of investment and hard work. So while a Robusta farmer starts reaping after 24 months and earning income, an Arabica farmer will have to wait for two more years.
Harvest Period
Another reason why instant Robusta coffee is much cheaper is that the tree yields more beans annually compared to Arabica.
This reason drives down the cost per tree and increases profit margins. So even though Arabica costs more money, Robusta yields more which will cover up for the price shortfall.
Harsh Taste
Almost 99% of instant coffee consumed in the world is Robusta coffee, but to enjoy this coffee, manufacturers have to refine the taste by adding additives. This species has a very bitter and harsh taste compared to Arabica, which has a refined natural taste.
When used as part of a double origin combination, Robusta is mostly the lower concentration, so it doesn’t spoil the taste. So its undesirability attracts a much lower price in the supply chain.
Caffeine
High caffeine is one of the main selling points of Robusta coffee. So for people who prefer caffeine, this species is the ideal blend for them. However, when combined with Arabica, the caffeine blend goes up a few notches higher. Caffeinated drinks are cheaper on average than non-caffeinated drinks
Why go for instant coffee?
Instant coffee is quite popular because it is cheaper and easy to prepare when compared to brewed coffee. If you want to keep enjoying your favorite beverage without boring a deep hole in your pocket, you should stick to instant coffee.
Also, if you prefer highly caffeinated beverages, instant coffee is ideal for you.
The best way to enjoy your instant coffee is to brew it espresso style. Buying an espresso blend will allow you to add your favorite crema and flavor notes to boost its profile. And more importantly, you get to enjoy the same goodness but with a slightly lower quality of Arabica ground coffee.
So to conclude, Instant coffee is cheap because of
- Its taste profile
- How it is grown
- Harvest period
- Volume in the supply chain
- Quality of beans
- Doesn’t need a coffee machine
While instant coffee taste may not be as good as ground coffee, you can even the odds by adopting excellent brewing techniques to improve the taste. Brewing it using an espresso machine at the right temperature is a way to go.
Another option is to spice it up with special flavors like citrus, caramel, milk, sugar, and a combination of these and other ingredients. If you learn how to brew your instant coffee perfectly, the species will not matter much.
The bad news is that you may not have a say with the type of roast used to prepare instant coffee. Looking for a light roast, dark roast, or a dark Italian roast? Sadly, you don’t have a lot of choices here.
If you’re a coffee drinker looking for a cheap coffee, then instant coffee is your best friend.
Instant Coffee FAQ
What is the best way to brew instant coffee?
The best way to brew instant coffee, much like regular coffee, is the espresso style. However, the pour-over method is recommended for a distinct taste profile.
From which species is instant coffee obtained?
Most of the packaged Instant coffee sold today is obtained from Robusta coffee pods, not Arabica. Arabica coffee is mostly used to make ground coffee.
Does instant coffee contain milk and sugar?
It depends on the brand you buy. However, most instant coffee products are laced with both to improve the taste. Without these additives, you will get a harsher and bitter taste. For best results, consider adding some more milk and sugar.
You can also opt for instant decaf coffee if that’s your thing.
Is there Arabica instant coffee?
Arabica instant coffee is quite rare but available. This is because Arabica is quite expensive so processing it into Instant form is not a good investment for the average producer.
How long does it take a Robusta tree to start producing?
Robusta coffee trees start producing after 2 years.