Do you know the difference between spray dried and freeze dried coffee? If not, you’re in for a surprise because there’s a big difference!

Spray dried coffee is made by spraying hot water onto coffee beans. The water instantly evaporates, leaving behind dry coffee powder. Freeze dried coffee is made by freezing coffee beans and then exposing them to a vacuum. This causes the ice to turn into gas, leaving behind dry coffee powder.

In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between these two types of coffee and help you decide which is right for you.

What Is the Difference Between Freeze Dried and Spray-Dried Coffee?

When it comes to instant coffees, there are two main types of dried beans: freeze dried and spray dried. Both methods involve removing the water from coffee to leave behind coffee extract, but the process is quite different.

Freeze drying coffee beans is a slow and expensive process, but it results in a product that retains more flavor and aroma. The fresh coffee beans are first frozen and then placed in a vacuum chamber, where the instant coffee crystals sublimate directly into vapor.

This leaves the beans dry and lightweight, without requiring the addition of any preservatives. Freeze dried coffee has a long shelf life and can be reconstituted simply by adding water.

In contrast, spray-drying is a much faster and cheaper process, but it causes the coffee to lose some of its flavor and aroma. The beans are first roasted and then sprayed with hot air, which removes the moisture content.

Spray-dried coffee must be packaged with a nitrogen atmosphere to prevent spoilage so it doesn’t have the same shelf life as freeze dried coffee. When reconstituting, it can often taste “woody” or “roasty.”

So, what’s the main difference between the two? Well, freeze dried coffee has a higher concentration of coffee solids, which means it tastes stronger.

Spray dried coffee, on the other hand, is less concentrated and thus has a milder flavor. It’s also more likely to dissolve in water, which makes it a good choice for making iced coffee.

When choosing between freeze-dried and spray-dried coffee, it is important to consider your needs and preferences:

  • If you are looking for a product with superior flavor, freeze-dried coffee is the way to go.
  • If you are looking for a more economical option, spray-dried coffee may be better suited for your needs.

Ultimately, the decision between freeze-dried and spray-dried coffee comes down to personal preference. Try both types and see which you prefer! We suggest brewing coffee using a Moka pot for great results.

Is Freeze Dried Coffee Better than Spray-Dried?

As a general rule, freeze-dried coffee is better than spray-dried coffee. The following reasons make it the superior choice:

Better Flavor and Aroma

Freeze-dried coffee beans are treated with super-cold liquid nitrogen, which flash freezes them and protects them from damage during the dehydration process.

This results in a higher quality product, with better flavor and aroma.

More Uniform Grind and Better Extraction

Freeze-drying also retains more of the bean’s original structure, resulting in a more uniform grind and better extraction when brewing. This means you’ll get a more consistent cup of coffee, with fewer bitter flavors.

Longer Shelf Life

Because freeze-dried coffee retains more of the bean’s original structure, it also has a longer shelf life. Spray-dried coffee, on the other hand, is less stable and has a shorter shelf life.

It also does not contain any moisture (which can lead to mold growth) which makes it a safer product to store.

Better Rehydration

Freeze-dried coffee also rehydrates better, resulting in a smoother, less astringent cup of coffee. However, spray-drying is a cheaper method of drying coffee, so it is often used for lower quality blends.

So, if you’re looking for the best possible cup of coffee, freeze-dried is the way to go. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s worth it for the improved flavor and aroma.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

So what’s the verdict? Are spray dried coffees better than freeze dried ones? The answer is, it depends. There are pros and cons to both methods that we’ve outlined above.

If you want a coffee with a longer shelf life, go for a freeze-dried variety. But if you’re looking for richer flavor and aroma, spray drying is the way to go.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference – so why not try out both and see which one you like best?