The Great Instant Coffee Debate: When Tradition Meets Technique
The internet has been buzzing with a heated debate about the “correct” way to make instant coffee, and honestly, it’s both amusing and fascinating to watch the passionate responses. Being someone who spends a significant portion of their working day pushing code and attending stand-ups, I’ve had my fair share of both excellent and terrible coffee experiences.
Let’s talk about this controversial microwave method that’s causing such a stir online. The suggestion to gradually heat instant coffee with cold water and milk in the microwave, rather than using boiling water, has sparked what can only be described as digital outrage. The reactions range from immediate dismissal to genuine curiosity, with plenty of “lost me at microwave” comments in between.
The traditional method of making instant coffee - dumping granules in a cup and adding boiling water - is deeply ingrained in our cultural psyche. It’s what our parents did, what their parents did, and for many, questioning this method feels almost sacrilegious. The resistance to change is particularly strong when it involves using a microwave, which many view as a culinary shortcut at best, or a cardinal sin at worst.
Working in tech has taught me that sometimes the most uncomfortable solutions can yield surprising results. Remember when everyone insisted that physical servers were the only way to go? Now look at us, living in a cloud-native world. Similarly, while I’m fortunate enough to have access to quality coffee at home and work, I’ve learned never to dismiss alternative methods outright.
What’s particularly interesting about this debate is how it reflects broader cultural differences. The suggestion that Americans, with their relative lack of electric kettles, influenced the development of instant coffee preparation methods is a fascinating historical tidbit. It’s a reminder that what we consider “correct” is often just what we’re used to.
The frugal aspect of this discussion certainly resonates with current times. With coffee prices soaring (have you seen the cost of a café latte lately?), people are looking for ways to make their home coffee more palatable without breaking the bank. While I’m fortunate enough to have my trusty home setup, not everyone has the means or desire to invest in coffee equipment.
The real issue isn’t about whether this method makes the best coffee - clearly, freshly ground beans and proper brewing will win that contest every time. It’s about finding ways to improve what’s available to you within your constraints. Some of the most creative solutions come from working within limitations.
The passionate responses to this simple suggestion reveal how deeply personal our coffee rituals are. Whether it’s a morning V60 pour-over or a quick instant coffee at your desk, these daily rituals are part of who we are. Maybe that’s why suggesting a change to something so fundamental feels like a personal affront to many.
The next time someone suggests an unconventional method, perhaps we should pause before dismissing it outright. After all, innovation often comes from challenging our assumptions about “the way things have always been done.” Though I’ll stick to my current setup, I appreciate the spirit of experimentation and the reminder that there’s always room for improvement, even in the most basic of things.
Life’s too short for bad coffee, but it’s also too short for coffee snobbery. Whether you’re microwaving your instant coffee or sipping a single-origin pour-over, the best cup of coffee is the one that works for you.