From Bean to Granule: How NESCAFÉ Is Made
The journey of a NESCAFÉ coffee granule begins on a coffee farm, much like any other bag of ground coffee. The process, however, diverges after the beans are roasted and ground, as the goal is to make a product that is fully soluble in water. NESCAFÉ specifically uses a blend of high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans to achieve its signature flavor profiles. The production can be broken down into these key steps:
- Sourcing and Selection: NESCAFÉ works with coffee farmers to source Arabica and Robusta beans, focusing on sourcing coffee responsibly and implementing regenerative agriculture practices through programs like the NESCAFÉ Plan.
- Roasting and Grinding: The green coffee beans are roasted to perfection to develop their flavor and aroma, much like traditional coffee. Following roasting, the beans are ground, though typically to a coarser size than what you would use for a standard drip coffee machine.
- Extraction: The ground coffee is then brewed with hot, high-pressure water in large-scale equipment. This step extracts the water-soluble and volatile components, such as flavors and aroma, from the beans, resulting in a highly concentrated coffee extract.
- Drying: This is the crucial stage where the liquid coffee extract is turned into the final product. NESCAFÉ primarily uses one of two methods: spray-drying or freeze-drying.
- Spray-drying: The concentrated extract is sprayed into a tall, hot-air chamber. As the fine mist falls, the water evaporates, leaving behind a fine coffee powder. This powder is then agglomerated (or re-wetted and dried) to create the familiar granules.
- Freeze-drying: The coffee extract is first frozen to around -40°C. The frozen extract is then broken into granules and placed in a vacuum chamber. A gentle heat is applied, causing the frozen water to sublimate (turn from solid ice directly into a gas), leaving behind the dried coffee granules. This method is more expensive but tends to preserve more of the coffee's delicate flavors and aromas.
- Reincorporation of Aromas: To compensate for the loss of flavor compounds during the drying process, some of the extracted coffee oils and aroma are captured and added back into the final product before packaging.
Instant vs. Brewed: A Comparative Table
| Criteria | NESCAFÉ Instant Coffee | Freshly Brewed Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Material | 100% roasted coffee beans, water | 100% roasted coffee beans, water |
| Preparation | Mix granules with hot water | Brew ground coffee using a machine or filter |
| Processing | Roasted, ground, extracted, and dehydrated (freeze-dried or spray-dried) | Roasted, ground |
| Flavor Profile | Generally simpler, can have a distinct, slightly milder or harsher taste depending on the drying method | Richer, more nuanced, and complex due to preserved oils and aroma compounds |
| Caffeine Content | Typically lower, ranging from 30-90mg per cup (1 tsp of powder) | Generally higher, ranging from 70-140mg per cup |
| Antioxidants | Contains high levels of antioxidants, potentially higher in some cases due to processing | Rich in antioxidants, which are largely retained in the brewing process |
| Cost | Generally more cost-effective per serving due to efficiency of production and long shelf-life | Can be more expensive depending on equipment, bean quality, and brewing method |
| Convenience | Extremely quick and easy, requires only hot water | More time-consuming, requires equipment and proper technique |
Not All NESCAFÉ Products Are Created Equal
While pure NESCAFÉ granules like Classic or Gold are made from 100% real coffee and water, it's important to read the label for specialty or pre-mixed products. Items like NESCAFÉ 3-in-1 or many of the flavored sachets contain a mixture of ingredients designed for convenience and specific tastes. These products often include:
- Sugars (e.g., glucose syrup, plain sugar)
- Creamers (e.g., hydrogenated palm kernel oil, modified milk ingredients)
- Flavorings
- Stabilizers and emulsifiers
For those seeking only the benefits of pure coffee, sticking to the standard granules is essential. However, the use of coffee as the primary, and often only, flavoring and caffeinating agent across the NESCAFÉ product line means that even the more complex mixes do contain real coffee extract.
Conclusion: Real Coffee, Simplified
So, does NESCAFÉ use real coffee? The answer is an unequivocal yes. Instant coffee, including NESCAFÉ, begins its life as real, responsibly sourced coffee beans. These beans are roasted, brewed, and then dehydrated into a soluble form. The key difference between instant and brewed coffee is not the authenticity of the beans, but the extensive processing required to make the granules dissolvable in water. For the consumer, this translates to maximum convenience with most of the health benefits of regular coffee, albeit with a different flavor profile and slightly less caffeine. Whether it's a cup of classic black coffee or a creamy latte, the foundation remains the real, humble coffee bean.
NESCAFÉ's commitment to sustainable sourcing is an added layer of assurance for environmentally conscious consumers. You can find more information on their practices at the NESCAFÉ Sustainability Hub.
Final Takeaways
- Yes, NESCAFÉ uses real coffee: The product is made from 100% real, roasted Arabica and Robusta beans.
- Processing makes it instant: The beans are roasted, brewed into a concentrate, and then dried through methods like freeze-drying or spray-drying.
- Read the label for mixes: Only the unflavored instant granules are 100% coffee. Pre-mixed products contain other ingredients like sugar and milk powder.
- Health benefits are comparable: Instant coffee retains many of the antioxidants and nutrients found in regular coffee.
- Slightly lower caffeine: Instant coffee contains slightly less caffeine than a cup of brewed coffee of the same size.
