Instant Coffee with Partial Solubility and Foam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing instant coffee methods result in a product that is 100% soluble and lacks coffee grounds and foam, failing to replicate the traditional Turkish coffee experience.

Innovation Solution

A production method involving roasting, mixing, grinding, agglomerating, and drying coffee beans with a specific particle size and moisture control, along with the inclusion of flavoring substances and a foaming agent, to create an instant coffee with 25-50% solubility and a foamy texture, while maintaining coffee grounds upon preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If spray drying method is used to remove water from coffee extract, then production efficiency is improved, but coffee flavor deteriorates due to contact with high temperature walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidcoffee flavor deterioration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs freeze drying which utilizes phase transition of water from solid to vapor through sublimation. The coffee extract is frozen and then dried by sublimation, avoiding direct contact with high temperature surfaces that would degrade coffee oils and flavor compounds, thus resolving the contradiction between production efficiency and flavor preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a controlled drying environment that protects coffee extract from harmful thermal effects. By using freeze drying conditions with controlled temperature and atmosphere, the method preserves volatile aromatic compounds and oils while maintaining production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Ease of operation

If coffee extract is filtered to remove grounds, then solubility is improved to 100%, but traditional Turkish coffee appearance and texture are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesolubilityVSAvoidcoffee grounds appearance and foam texture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial filtration or no filtration at all, intentionally leaving coffee grounds in the final product. This partial action approach maintains the traditional Turkish coffee characteristics of grounds and foam while providing sufficient clarity for acceptable solubility, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and authentic appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of completely filtering out grounds as in conventional methods, the patent inverts the approach by intentionally retaining grounds and using aggregation to create the desired texture and appearance, thereby achieving both solubility and traditional Turkish coffee characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If coffee grounds are completely dissolved, then solubility reaches 100%, but coffee grounds and foam cannot be enjoyed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolubility rateVSAvoidcoffee grounds retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure where coffee particles are aggregated into larger units that partially dissolve while maintaining structural integrity. This composite approach allows the coffee to have improved solubility characteristics while simultaneously retaining grounds and foam for traditional Turkish coffee experience, resolving the contradiction between solubility and grounds retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method produces an instant coffee that retains coffee grounds and foam when prepared, offering a longer shelf life and a more authentic Turkish coffee experience.

Implementation Method 1

The invention also discloses a foaming agent which increases the solubility rate of instant coffee to 25% to 50% by weight. Thus when the instant coffee is prepared, coffee grounds and foam are retained.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam formation: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP2542094B1An instant coffee with coffee grounds
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 ORGEN GIDA SANAYI TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI

AI summary

The present invention relates to an instant coffee, which, when boiling water is added thereon, becomes ready to drink with coffee grounds and foam, and a production method for the said instant coffee. The inventive instant coffee dissolves in water in an amount of 25% to 50% on dry matter and thus coffee grounds are formed when it is prepared. The instant coffee essentially comprises roasted coffee beans, flavor, foaming agent and optionally sugar. The flavor comprises natural extracts, volatile oils, nature identical flavoring substances used as flavoring agents, maltodextrin used as a carrier, thickener agents enabling binding together, milk powder, stabilizer which ensures stability of the mixture, emulsifying salt and anticaking agent. The present invention provides traditional Turkish coffee appearance, texture and taste with its foam and coffee grounds when the instant coffee is prepared with hot water.