The earliest form of instant coffee was a "coffee compound" invented in the UK in 1771.
While the UK invention marks an early instance, the development of what we consider instant coffee continued. Here's a breakdown:
- 1771: The UK saw the creation of a "coffee compound," marking the first recorded instance of something resembling instant coffee.
- 1890: David Strang of New Zealand created a "soluble instant coffee."
- 1901: Satorio Kato, a Chicago chemist, also developed a soluble instant coffee.
| Year | Inventor/Location | Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| 1771 | UK | First known "coffee compound" |
| 1890 | David Strang (NZ) | "Soluble instant coffee" |
| 1901 | Satorio Kato (US) | Soluble instant coffee (independently) |
These developments paved the way for the instant coffee market to take off in the 20th century.
