MYTHBUSTING: INSTANT COFFEE

There are plenty of myths and misconceptions about Instant Coffee.

Let’s dive in and set the record straight!

THE MYTHS

Quality

Myth: Instant Coffee is low quality
Fact: Not when made with premium, speciality grade beans!

While it’s true that many mass-market brands use cheaper, lower-quality beans (sometimes even broken, old or leftover from other production lines), we take a completely different approach. At TrueStart we ensure all of our Instant Coffee is made with speciality grade beans.

Taste

Myth: All Instant Coffee has a bitter and burned taste
Fact: Not necessarily - not to be biased but TrueStart Instant Coffee tastes absolutely delicious!

The harsh, bitter taste in many Instant Coffees comes from over-roasting beans at extremely high temperatures, with little attention to flavour. Some brands even add artificial coffee flavourings or extracts to mask it.

We do things differently.. we air roast our beans slowly for an even, balanced flavour and we never dark roast our coffee! So every cup is smooth, rich and naturally delicious.

Caffeine

Myth: Instant Coffee has less caffeine
Fact: Instant Coffee only has slightly less caffeine per cup than fresh coffee - in fact all of our Instant Coffee is fully caffeine-controlled. 

We have been testing each batch for over a decade to ensure how much caffeine you drink per serve. Meaning you can pick whatever strength coffee you need for your energy levels, so whether it’s a Strong morning pick-me-up or a Half Caf afternoon boost.

Antioxidants

Myth: Instant Coffee doesn’t contain antioxidants compared to fresh coffee

Fact: Studies show that Instant Coffee is super rich in antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid and polyphenols, similar to fresh coffee. (2,3) 

These antioxidants specifically protect us from key oxidative stress biomarkers (4) which in short, reduces your signs of aging and protects your body against degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. So your new favourite cup of Instant coffee isn’t just tasty & easy to make - it’s good for you too.

Chemicals: Acrylamide

Myth: Instant Coffee contains dangerous levels of chemicals such as acrylamide.
Fact: You would have to drink 10+ cups of coffee a day to reach the lower limit of acrylamide potentially being dangerous for you. 

What is it? Acrylamide is a chemical that can form in foods cooked at high temperatures like toast, chips, and when you roast all coffee. Whilst very large amounts can cause harm, the small amounts found in everyday foods are low risk (6)

So, when is Instant Coffee bad for you?

• Made from poor quality, old and discarded beans
  
• If it has anything artificial added to it other than pure coffee. Many flavored Instant Coffees include added sugar, artificial sweeteners, dried milk solids, and non-dairy creamers.. a nightmare for your gut
  
• Roasting at high temperatures and spray drying increases the acrylamide levels in Instant Coffee (although this is still low), ruins the taste and is more likely to cause gastrointestinal issues like heartburn and digestive problems

Healthy Instant Coffee - Only the good stuff

So to summarise, the best Instant Coffee should come from the best quality coffee bean and contain as few ingredients as possible. So look out for coffee that is:

• Made from speciality grade beans ✅
  
• Freeze-dried - better for your gut ✅
  
• Tested for any nasties  ✅
  
• Controlled for caffeine  ✅
  

So is Instant Coffee bad for you? 

It’s not the villain coffee that some people think it to be. 

When made from speciality-grade beans and thoughtfully crafted it’s a convenience-packed potion that offers a rapid caffeine fix and just as many antioxidants as the fresh stuff. 

Click here to dive in and feel the difference for yourself!