'Burning' instant coffee...

This is something that has really bugged me recently. I was making my mate some coffee, and didn't put milk in first (as usual), and he went spare..."you'll burn the coffee granules if you do it like that! Don't you know boiling water burns coffee you idiot!" BLAH BLAH etc...followed by a large debate and silence for a while as we drunk our "burnt" coffee.

Firstly, boiling water scalds...it doesn't burn?
Secondly, when they make instant coffee they roast beans at 170 degrees C and 'extract' it by adding small amounts of water or perculating it from 150 to 180 degrees C. (Wikipedia). So hows some kettle boiled water gonna burn it?
Instructions on all instant coffee packets say "FIRST ADD BOILING WATER. ADD MILK AND SUGAR AFTER FOR TASTE"

Mother said in the old days, her mum added milk first as not to crack their freezing mugs in the winter, or maybe some cooler water first.

What do yall think?

If you add the milk first it tastes different.

I always add milk first now.

Add milk first

If I make a cafetiere of coffee, I'll give the kettle a few minutes to cool slightly. But with instant coffee, it doesn't make a bit of difference I don't think..

It's true that boiling water spoils the coffee. Boil the water but let it cool slightly first. I leave the lid off the kettle for a few minutes.

Originally Posted by amnesia

If you add the milk first it tastes different.

I always add milk first now.

I'm interested in how it tastes different?

If you buy, like i do, just normal sainsburys gold roast, cus its cheap, and TBH it tastes fine for instant coffee...is it going to make the world of difference?

I save the perculator for sunday and look forward to a real cup of coffee after the weeks end...

Originally Posted by Ed

It's true that boiling water spoils the coffee.

Do you know why? And how will it taste different? If it is TRUE after all....

I'd suspect if the coffee gets scolded the flavour isn't released, it doesn't dissolve into the water as well as it would, maybe?

I think it is more to do with the milk, boiling water can probably slightly cook the proteins in milk..

I dunno, I hate coffee

Agreed.. I always add milk them water.