Instant-Kaffee (löslicher Kaffee)

Instant coffee (soluble coffee) is a popular hot drink in Germany and across the EU, produced from pre-extracted coffee that is subsequently dried into a powder or granules. The powder is dissolved in hot water and provides a very quick and convenient preparation method. Typically, around 1.5–2 g of powder are used for a 200 ml cup, resulting in only about 4–6 kcal per serving.[2] According to EU-style nutrition data, the dry instant coffee powder can contain more than 300 kcal per 100 g, but in the ready-to-drink beverage the calorie content is almost negligible.[2][1]

The EU nutrition declaration for instant coffee shows that the beverage is essentially free of fat and sugar and supplies only very small amounts of carbohydrates and protein.[2][3] Per 100 ml of prepared coffee, one usually finds around 2 kcal, approximately 0 g fat, 0 g sugar, about 0.08 g protein and 0.08 g carbohydrates. Dietary fibre and minerals are present only in trace amounts, as is sodium, which originates from naturally occurring minerals in coffee.[3] Caffeine is the key active component: soluble coffee made from blends of Arabica and Robusta beans typically provides about 60 mg caffeine per 200 ml cup, which is comparable to regular filter coffee. This makes instant coffee suitable for those seeking a caffeinated pick-me-up with minimal calories and a clear, EU-compliant nutrition profile.

In Germany, instant coffee is subject to the same food legislation as regular roasted coffee. Pure soluble coffee without any added ingredients does not legally require an ingredient list or nutrition table; however, if such information is provided voluntarily, it must comply with the EU Food Information Regulation (LMIV) and be accurate.[2] Reputable manufacturers and professional suppliers – for example in vending or food service – therefore declare standardized nutrition values per 100 g of instant coffee powder and sometimes per prepared beverage.[3] For consumers, this means that the on-pack EU nutrition declaration can be reliably used to assess the energy and nutrient content, with a typical serving of instant coffee in everyday use effectively counting as a low-calorie, sugar-free hot drink with a moderate caffeine content.