Can You Bloom Instant Coffee?

Instant coffee: To bloom or not to bloom?

Andrea Allen, co-founder of Onyx Coffee Lab, is the 2020 U.S. Barista Champion and the 2021 World Barista Runner-Up. It's safe to say she possesses extensive knowledge about coffee. To gain insights into the blooming process of instant coffee, we had an exclusive conversation with her.

While freshly ground coffee benefits from blooming, instant coffee is essentially a coffee extract, leading to a different preparation method. Allen notes that there isn't much to understand about blooming with instant coffee, as the granules don't undergo the same blooming process as freshly ground coffee. She clarifies, "Instant coffee typically doesn't bloom — it's inherently older due to its production process and is often freeze-dried, which removes both aromatic qualities and carbon dioxide from the coffee."

When instant coffee is combined with water, the granules dissolve almost immediately. (Remember, using filtered water can enhance the flavor, making instant coffee taste more like it was made in a café.) Many fans appreciate instant coffee for its convenience, long shelf life, straightforward brewing method, and affordability, though it isn't particularly celebrated for its freshness. Therefore, if you're interested in exploring the blooming process, it's best to opt for fresh grounds rather than instant coffee. Once you've perfected the blooming technique, you can focus on the ideal sequence for adding sugar and cream to your brew.