Any scientists out there?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381837)
Rockingham, Australia
February 15, 2023 6:47pm CST
Please don’t judge me but I only like instant coffee. 
As Vince likes half milk/half water and I only like a little milk, we heat the liquid in mugs in the microwave then add the coffee powder and, in my case, a teaspoon of sugar.
The powder dissolves instantly in the hot milk/water liquid but, if I add the sugar then the coffee to my cup, the coffee sort of clumps for a few seconds. It still stirs in very easily but there is a different reaction to if I put the coffee first then add the sugar.
I suppose there is a scientific reason but it intrigues me. Any thoughts?
As Vince likes half milk/half water and I only like a little milk, we heat the liquid in mugs in the microwave then add the coffee powder and, in my case, a teaspoon of sugar.
The powder dissolves instantly in the hot milk/water liquid but, if I add the sugar then the coffee to my cup, the coffee sort of clumps for a few seconds. It still stirs in very easily but there is a different reaction to if I put the coffee first then add the sugar.
I suppose there is a scientific reason but it intrigues me. Any thoughts?19 people like this
19 responses
@DaddyEvil (174281)
• United States
16 Feb 23
It has to do that because of the water taking up the sugar first but that's an odd reaction, in any case. I would think both would dissolve instantly.
Interesting... "Your coffee and creamer are both already liquids, so stirring them together is easy, but for the best coffee drinking experience, you need any sugar you add to dissolve. And to make your sugar dissolve the quickest, you need to add it to a piping hot cup of coffee before you pour in any cream or milk." Excerpt taken from:
Before you add milk or creamer, make sure you're stirring in your sugar first.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174281)
• United States
16 Feb 23
@JudyEv You're welcome. I think what you're seeing is that MOST of the sugar sinks but some dissolves instantly so cause problems for the coffee crystals and that makes it clump. I'm not positive, though.
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (68211)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Feb 23
If I drink coffee It's usually instant. The french vanilla or cappachino or whatever.
I couldn't do the half milk/half water though, because I want whole milk!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
@thislittlepennyearns We've gone through a few microwaves in our time. Vince would use them as a timer but forgot to push 'timer' first so they'd be cooking with nothing in them. He's not allowed to use it as a timer any more. 
@thislittlepennyearns (68211)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Feb 23
@JudyEv Yep. Well when we have a functioning microwave. Our decided to die last week and I haven't replaved it yet
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
16 Feb 23
Well, this sounds so elementary that I'm going to step aside and let some younger scientific mind answer it.
3 people like this
@Beestring (15373)
• Hong Kong
16 Feb 23
I drink coffee occasionally, but just with milk, no sugar.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
@Beestring All of those are fine but some people look down their noses if you ask for sugar in your hot drinks.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (15373)
• Hong Kong
16 Feb 23
@JudyEv But I like eating chocolates, cakes and Chinese sweet soup.
2 people like this
@popciclecold (40215)
• United States
16 Feb 23
Never really thought about it. But I don't drink coffee.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
16 Feb 23
As long as the coffee dissolve does it really matter if sugar does it first and then the coffee? 
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
17 Feb 23
@JudyEv I would rather want to know how satellites work than worry about the coffee and sugar saga
On second thoughts I want to know it too 
On second thoughts I want to know it too 1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Feb 23
@allknowing I just find such thoughts intriguing. There used to be a TV show with Professor Sumner Miller called 'Why Is It So'. He would have been able to tell me. 
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135601)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Feb 23
I have no idea as I don't drink coffee
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
16 Feb 23
It looks like DE may have the solution. I drink instant too. Just one cup of decaf a day.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
16 Feb 23
To me, I have often thought that instant coffee is stronger than brew coffee. I don't mind it. Do you like strong coffee?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb 23
@FayeHazel The brand we buy is just about the cheapest you can get but it's the one we like most.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
16 Feb 23
@JudyEv Ah, no matter what with instant coffee I always seem to get it too dark.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
16 Feb 23
Now that I would not even come close to analyzing Judy. I would have to have chemistry I suppose.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
16 Feb 23
Sugar and coffee have different consistency. When you add sugar and coffee together the coffee powder tries to wrap on the sugar crystals and form lumps.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Feb 23
No judgment form me. I too enjoy Nescafe Classico Dark Roast instant coffee. So good. I have a percolator I used for many years. And a drip coffee maker. Now the instant is my favorite. I always put my coffee and sugar in the cup first, then the hot water, then the cream (cold). Love that pie/cheesecake/mousse in your photo too.
1 person likes this
