Spotlight Series: All About Espresso Powder
Spotlight Series: All About Espresso Powder
If you find yourself asking What is instant espresso powder?—you are in the right place.
Instant espresso powder is a best-kept secret to creating rich chocolate desserts and baked goods. Once it is brewed, this bold and flavorful coffee is dried into a powder. Unlike traditional ground roasted coffee that you use in your coffee maker, this instant espresso powder is stronger and pre-brewed so it will readily dissolve in hot or boiling water, as well as other liquids and the wet batters of your favorite baking recipes.
Shop DeLallo Instant Espresso Powder:
What is espresso powder?
Simply put, instant espresso powder is deep, rich espresso coffee beans that are brewed and then dried to become a powder. This pre-brewed espresso powder readily dissolves in hot, near-boiling water, but can also be added to chocolate desserts and baked goods. Its deep complex flavor makes chocolate desserts richer without adding any distinct coffee flavor. Just a teaspoon or two amplifies and complements the chocolate flavor without imparting any distinct coffee flavor. If you prefer a mocha-style coffee flavor added to your chocolate recipes, add more espresso powder.
Instant espresso powder is best known for its role in the famed Italian dessert, Tiramisu. With this convenient instant espresso, there is no need to brew a whole pot of espresso coffee for soaking ladyfingers.
The Best Espresso Powder - The DeLallo Difference
Why choose DeLallo Espresso Powder? It’s all about quality and versatility. This isn't just any coffee powder; it's a specially crafted ingredient made from premium, finely ground espresso beans. The intense yet smooth flavor it packs is perfect for a wide range of culinary uses, not just baking. Think of the enhanced flavor in your favorite chocolate desserts, the depth it adds to your rubs for meats, and of course, the perfect kick to your homemade mochas and lattes.
At DeLallo, we understand that the best flavor comes from the best beans. That’s why we carefully select our espresso beans, roast them to perfection, and grind them into a fine powder that ensures you get the full, robust espresso flavor in every pinch. What's even more exciting? Our espresso powder dissolves effortlessly into any recipe, enhancing flavor without adding unwanted texture or granules.
Ways to use espresso powder:
Sweet
Add instant espresso to anything chocolate: homemade brownies, cookies and cakes. Try it in chocolate mousse, pudding, fudge and homemade ice cream. Even give breakfast treats like pancakes and waffles a bigger chocolatey presence. Along with baked goods, instant espresso is perfect for creating cold coffeehouse-style lattes, hot cocoa and frozen drinks at home without using piping-hot brewed espresso that could weaken your icy drinks.
Savory
Instant espresso can be used to accent savory recipes too. Use that rich coffee flavor to enhance meat rubs for steaks, prime rib roasts, poultry, pork chops and baby back ribs. The deep, dark flavor of instant espresso shines paired with spicy and smoky flavors. Try it in chili recipes, sauces and stews to complement their spicy, sometimes fiery flavors. Wow your salsa recipes with just a teaspoon or two.
Cooking and baking tips using espresso powder:
1. Enhance Chocolate Desserts
Espresso powder and chocolate are a match made in heaven. Adding just a teaspoon of espresso powder to your brownies, chocolate cake, or cookies can intensify the chocolate flavor, making it richer and more profound. Don't worry; it won’t make your treats taste like coffee, but it will bring out the best in your chocolate.
2. Whip Up a Flavorful Rub
Espresso powder can be a fantastic addition to your spice rubs. Mix it with ingredients like paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and a hint of chili for a smoky, slightly spicy rub that’s perfect for beef, pork, or even chicken. The espresso powder adds a depth of flavor that is subtle yet surprisingly impactful.
3. Boost Your Sauces
Add a pinch of espresso powder to your homemade barbecue or chocolate sauce. It can enhance other flavors and add a new layer of complexity to your sauces. Whether it’s a sweet sauce for desserts or a savory one for meats, a little espresso powder can go a long way in building flavor profiles.
4. Enrich Your Soups and Stews
A little espresso powder can add a robust dimension to your favorite soups and stews. Add a small amount to recipes that feature tomatoes, lentils, or beef to deepen the flavors and add a subtle earthiness that ties everything together beautifully.
5. Elevate Your Baking
Whether you're making scones, muffins, or even waffles, a dash of espresso powder can enrich your baked goods with an intriguing twist. It pairs particularly well with nutty or vanilla flavors, so consider adding a pinch the next time you’re baking something that fits that profile.
6. Create a Coffee-Flavored Frosting
Mix espresso powder into your buttercream or chocolate frosting for a delightful coffee-infused treat. It’s perfect for topping cupcakes, cakes, or even your morning cinnamon rolls. Just dissolve the espresso powder in a little warm water before mixing it in to ensure it distributes evenly.
7. Improve Homemade Ice Cream
If you’re making homemade ice cream, adding espresso powder can give it a deliciously subtle coffee flavor. Combine it with ingredients like chocolate chips, caramel swirls, or nuts for a delightful treat that’s sure to impress any ice cream aficionado.
Tips for using espresso powder:
Dissolve It: Espresso powder tends to dissolve best in a little warm liquid. Mix it with a small amount of the liquid from your recipe to avoid clumps and ensure it blends smoothly into your dishes.
Store Properly: Keep your espresso powder in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain its potency.
Start Small: If you’re new to using espresso powder, start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste preferences. It’s potent, so a little goes a long way!
The best espresso powder substitutes:
When it comes to instant espresso powder substitutes, you have a couple of options.
You can use instant coffee instead, but you will have to up the amount to 50%, at least. Unfortunately, instant coffee has a harsher, more bitter flavor and adding more can result in a metallic, tinny flavor—so substitute at your own risk!
Brewed espresso can provide your recipes with the same deep, pleasingly bitter notes as espresso powder, but it’s not a perfect swap. If you are using it for baking recipes, be sure to account for the increase in liquid in your batter. Your other ingredients may call for an adjustment.
Like brewed espresso, brewed coffee can serve as an instant espresso powder substitute. This swap will also require attention to the wet and dry ingredients in your baking recipes.
Espresso Powder: FAQ
Can you drink Instant Espresso Powder as a drink?
While you can dissolve the instant espresso powder in boiling water to drink on its own (as espresso shots), it is not really made for this purpose. Espresso powder is used mostly for baking recipes to enhance chocolate flavors. We do love using DeLallo Instant Espresso Powder to create many at-home coffee drinks, though. Check out our recipe for Dalgona Whipped Coffee.
How do I make an espresso shot with Instant Espresso Powder?
We don’t recommend using it for your daily cup of joe. It’s super strong and made to accent baking recipes, but in a pinch, it will do. Simply add 1 tablespoon of the powder to 4 Tablespoons hot water.
Does Instant Espresso Powder have caffeine?
We guarantee a minimum of 1.8% caffeine in our product. For example, in a serving size of 2g, there would be about 36mg of caffeine. As for the calories, they come from carbohydrates, so there is slightly over 1g of carbs per serving.
Is Instant Espresso Powder the same as espresso powder?
Yes, both are made from dark roast coffee beans that are brewed, dried and ground into a fine powder. Some companies choose to use the word "instant," while others do not. Both are instant, meaning they can be added as dry powder to any liquid or wet batter with no brewing necessary.
Is Instant Espresso Powder the same as instant coffee?
Instant Espresso vs. Instant Coffee. Instant espresso delivers a truer darker coffee flavor than that of instant coffee. Using instant coffee in your baking recipes will not allow the rich notes to pop like instant espresso will. If you try to double up on the instant coffee for a bolder flavor, it might end up making your baking recipes taste overly bitter or tinny.
What is the difference between Instant Espresso Powder and brewed espresso?
Instant espresso powder is essentially pre-brewed espresso. While brewed espresso can give your recipes a similar flavor as instant espresso, the flavor will not be as intense. Instant espresso powder is a more concentrated product.
What is the difference between Instant Espresso Powder and ground espresso?
Espresso powder is not to be confused with actual ground espresso, which is just roasted beans that require brewing. This espresso is not instant and will not readily dissolve into your recipes.
What is the difference between Instant Espresso Powder and ground coffee?
To start, coffee and espresso are two different products. Some seem to think instant espresso is just coffee beans that have been finely ground. This is not the case. The two products are not interchangeable.
Where can I buy Instant Espresso Powder?
To buy DeLallo Instant Espresso Powder, shop your local supermarket in the baking aisle or in the coffee aisle. You can also buy online here and we will ship it directly to your door.