Part 1: What Exactly Is Instant Coffee? Instant coffee’s made from brewed coffee that's dried into powder or crystals. Instant coffee comes straight from real coffee beans - no artificial stuff at all . It starts just like normal coffee does: first, the beans get roasted. Then they’re crushed into powder. After that, they're soaked in water to make a strong brew. The key is what comes after. Once the liquid’s made, its water gets taken out - so it becomes powder or tiny bits