eli5: How do “instant” versions of foods (instant oatmeal, coffee, rice, etc.) exist? Why are they not the standard since they’re so efficient?

Question

eli5: How do “instant” versions of foods (instant oatmeal, coffee, rice, etc.) exist? Why are they not the standard since they’re so efficient?

In: 11

Answer 1

For why it’s not the default for everything, well, try instant coffee alongside properly brewed coffee and you have your answer. Or instant rice alongside well cooked rice by someone who knows what they’re doing.

I’m not a snob, instant coffee is fine in a rush or if it’s all 4 that’s available. But it does universally taste worse than coffee brewed from freshly ground beans.

Instant food is always at least slightly worse. It’s always a balance between convenience and flavour. If the thing isn’t that difficult to make anyway then there’s little value in an instant version.