Could instant coffee be stirring for a comeback?

COFFEE snobs might not be terribly impressed, but it seems a cup of instant is the most environmentally friendly way to enjoy the drink.

The finding could mean a revival for instant coffee after so many of us have turned to pods, cafetieres and filters in search of more flavour.

Researchers say it uses less energy to prepare, uses less coffee per cup and there’s no waste to get rid of.

Pods from brands such as Nespresso fared better than filter or French press – cafetiere – methods, according to scientists at the University of Quebec. This was because the amount of coffee in each pod is controlled, preventing the use of more than necessary, and the amount of water heated and used is also uniform. But the authors, who published their findings in the Journal of Industrial ecology said: ‘When consumers use the recommended amounts of coffee and water, soluble coffee appears to be the most environmentally friendly option. This is due to the low amount of soluble coffee used per cup, the kettle’s lower electricity consumption compared to a coffee maker and the absence of organic waste to be treated.’

With filter and cafetiere methods, drinkers typically use around 20 per cent more coffee than they need, the researchers said.

They measured the total greenhouse gas emissions produced by each method of preparing 280millilitres of coffee – a cupful.