FAQ: Instant Coffee Blends (Functional & Tonic)

Z Natural Foods is dedicated to providing our customers with a diverse range of delicious, highly nourishing, broad-spectrum functional food blends in their most versatile form, sourced from the best ingredients worldwide. 

Our wide array of nourishing, creamy, and delicious functional & tonic instant coffee blends is no exception. 

Today, we invite you to rediscover instant coffee's versatility. The undervalued ingredients in our many coffee blends aren't just warm and comforting; they're also highly nourishing because we handpick each ingredient and blend it to perfection. 

Functional & Tonic coffee blends are the wave of the future, especially for those looking to downregulate coffee’s overstimulating effects. 

Today, we aim to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this versatile product category and coffee in general, so you have all the information you need to make an informed purchase decision.

1) What are some interesting facts about instant coffee and coffee in general?

• According to the Brazilian Soluble Coffee Industry Association, instant coffee accounts for around 25% of all coffee sales. That number grows by an average of  2% annually. 
• The Brazilian Coffee Institute approached Nestle and asked it to develop a coffee that is soluble in hot water and retains its flavor. 
• Instant coffee can be used in various recipes, from desserts to meat rubs.
• Light roast coffee has more caffeine than dark roast.  
• On average, instant coffee has 40% less caffeine than brewed coffee.
• The coffee bean is actually the seed of a cherry.
• The coffee berry is considered one of the most antioxidant-rich foods. 
• Decaf coffee does not mean caffeine-free. It contains 2 to 4 milligrams of caffeine per cup.
• Americans drink, on average, three cups of coffee daily. 

2) What is instant coffee and how is it created? 

With a long-standing reputation for being bitter, cheap, unsatisfying, and insulting to your taste buds, today’s instant coffee differs significantly from what your grandparents drank. 

If your first coffee experience was a cup of instant coffee, you probably never drank coffee again. Well, that has changed, and thanks to technology, we can now enjoy a deliciously bold, flavorful cup of instant coffee. 

In simple terms, instant coffee is exactly what the name says: real coffee made from roasted and brewed coffee beans with all the water removed, leaving a soluble powder or granules that dissolve instantly when you add hot water. 

Instant coffee is made through a three-step process, with each step playing an equal role in the final product's quality. 

Step one involves roasting and grinding the beans, which are coarsely ground to maximize extraction. However, the bean type used in this process (Arabica versus Robusta) determines the final product's quality and flavor profile. For years, people have debated which coffee bean species has more antioxidants and a better flavor profile. 

While many have believed that Robusta beans are lower quality, that is untrue. 

Over the years, we have learned that each species' growth and processing determine its flavor profile. Each species has unique characteristics that create an exceptional cup of coffee. 

Here are some facts about these two coffee bean species:  

• Arabica beans have a smoother, sweeter taste and are known for chocolate notes and fruity undertones. They provide a balanced flavor profile. Furthermore, Arabica is more costly because it requires specific growing conditions (above 3000 feet and only subtropical climates) and is more labor-intensive. Finally, Arabica beans are more delicate and less resistant to external environmental factors. 
• Robusta beans have a deep, bold flavor with nutty undertones. Robusta beans have 60% less naturally occurring sugar and fatty acids, which creates their deep, bold flavor. Finally, Robusta is hardy and highly resistant to weather, pests, and disease. 
• Another interesting point about the flavor differences is how the beans are processed: Robusta is naturally processed, and Arabica is washed.

Step two involves brewing the extract in giant high-pressure extractors or columns. In simple terms, hot water and steam run through the coffee columns, brewing a very strong, highly concentrated liquid coffee extract. Once the coffee has been extracted, the liquid is filtered to remove any remaining solid plant fibers or insoluble debris.

Step three is the drying method (Spray-Dry versus Freeze-Dry), and it is one of the most significant improvements in instant coffee product quality. 

• The spray-drying method is a testament to efficiency and practicality. The coffee extract is efficiently sprayed into a stream of hot air, and as the droplets descend through a tall cylinder, they dry and transform into a fine powder. This powder then undergoes further processing, which texturizes it into granules. This cost-effective method is a practical choice for those seeking an economical option, even if some perceive the product as lower quality. One trade-off is that the coffee may lose some flavor, but it remains popular for its affordability.
• The freeze-drying method, by contrast, reflects precision and quality. It begins with meticulous roasting, grinding, and bean extraction. The extracted coffee then undergoes a low-temperature water-removal and foaming process to increase its volume and solubility. The product is then placed in a cold room, frozen at -50 degrees, and finally granulated. These smaller granules are dried in a vacuum at a slightly higher temperature; then heat is applied, causing ice crystals to turn into gas and resulting in freeze-dried coffee granules. This intricate process yields a more flavorful and aromatic instant coffee, making it a top choice for coffee enthusiasts. 

3) What are Functional Instant Coffee Blends?

A functional coffee blend is coffee infused or mixed with ingredients rich in bioactive compounds that aim to target specific mechanisms of action while complementing coffee’s flavor profile and texture and enhancing its nourishing benefits. 

Coffee is believed to act as a delivery system for these functional bioactive ingredients because its polar (water-loving) and hydrophobic (fat-loving) surfaces allow it to function at the boundary between water and oil phases in food emulsions. 

A great example of a functional food ingredient is collagen peptides.

Collagen peptides dissolve smoothly in hot liquids, giving the coffee a creamier, richer mouthfeel without altering the underlying roast flavor and delivering targeted amino acids—primarily glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline—that are the building blocks of collagen for supporting skin elasticity, joint comfort, and connective tissue repair.  

Specific bioactive ingredients in functional coffee blends also aim to downregulate caffeine's effects. 

One great example is the amino acid L-theanine (found in matcha green tea). 

The combination of caffeine and L-theanine is renowned for creating calm, controlled focus. If you have ever had a well-made cup of matcha or used L-theanine, you know exactly what I mean. 

L-theanine is the main factor behind caffeine's slow, smooth absorption, which helps prevent an abrupt crash. L-Theanine does not change how fast your liver metabolizes caffeine. 

Essentially, L-Theanine acts as a neurochemical buffer, modulating how your brain experiences caffeine's effects through the following mechanisms: 

• L-Theanine is structurally almost identical to glutamate, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and acts as a low-affinity glutamate receptor antagonist, blocking excess caffeine-driven glutamate from over-exciting the neurons.
• L-Theanine increases the synthesis, release, and overall expression of GABA (the nervous system’s primary brake pedal) and serotonin. 
• L-Theanine stimulates alpha brain waves (the signature of a state known as relaxed alertness), which counter caffeine's shift of electrical brain activity toward high-frequency beta waves. 
• Caffeine acts as a central vasoconstrictor, which is a primary cause of caffeine headaches. L-Theanine acts as a buffer by stimulating nitric oxide production, helping dilate blood vessels and counteract caffeine-induced blood pressure spikes. 

4) What is a tonic coffee blend?

In simple terms, a tonic coffee blend is coffee infused with ingredients that support general well-being by enhancing energy and regulating function. The focus isn't on healing, but on gently promoting health. Tonics provide adaptive Qi, helping us handle daily stressors more efficiently. Ultimately, this helps us grow as human beings. In simple terms, four primary fundamental aspects define a tonic:

• They create and support physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the appropriate balance of Yin and Yang energy to attain vibrant health. 
• They can be used for an unlimited period with no adverse effects.
• No matter how long an individual uses tonics, they never build a tolerance.
• True tonics come from their authentic source and spiritual homeland. This principle is known in Daoist herbalism as Di Tao and makes a vital difference in potency and efficacy. 

A great example of a tonic beverage is adding medicinal mushrooms like reishi and lion’s mane to your coffee. 

While these ingredients often get mislabeled as functional coffee blends, their effects are much broader than those of individual functional ingredients. 

For example, like L-theanine, which downregulates caffeine's effects, reishi mushrooms do this through different mechanisms, along with a broad spectrum of other positive effects. 

• Cortisol and Adrenal modulation: Reishi specifically counterbalances caffeine through its active triterpenoids and polysaccharides, which help regulate HPA-axis activity. Reishi dampens the excessive adrenal output triggered by caffeine, keeping cortisol and adrenaline spikes within a stable range so the nervous system activates without becoming overwhelmed.
• Autonomic Nervous system balance: Reishi calms the central nervous system and supports parasympathetic activity through specific biochemical pathways involving GABA signaling, HPA-axis modulation, and the gut-brain axis. This counterbalances nervous system over-excitation and softens the jittery effects of stimulants.

Therefore, in simple terms, isolated functional ingredients provide specific, targeted benefits, while tonics build resilience and offer a broad range of benefits. 

5) Why is Lion’s Mane the most common medicinal mushroom found in tonic and functional coffee blends? 

Lion's Mane mushroom is defined primarily by its neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions. Neurotrophic refers to substances that support the growth, survival, differentiation, and function of neurons (specialized nerve cells). Therefore, Lion’s Mane essentially works as brain fertilizer, ultimately affecting learning and nerve repair, thereby influencing overall neurological health. Lion’s mane is well known and studied for its ability to support neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by stimulating the secretion of nerve growth factor. For a quick review,

• Neurogenesis refers to the growth and development of nerve cells, also known as nerve tissue. 
• Neuroplasticity is the nervous system's ability to change its activity in response to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections after injuries. Simply put, the brain can change and adapt in response to experience. 

However, when most people think of lion's mane mushroom, it is synonymous with two terms: nerve growth factor, and neurite outgrowth. In simple terms, 

• Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a naturally occurring protein that promotes the growth, maintenance, and survival of specific nerve cells; protects the nervous system; supports sensory and sympathetic neurons; and helps regulate pain signaling and immune responses. 
• Neurite outgrowth is the process by which developing brain cells extend small projections called neurites, which mature into axons and dendrites and form the nervous system's wiring. It is essential for brain development and for repairing injured nerve cells by helping them regrow connections. 

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its association with Lion’s Mane

To understand the relationship between lion's mane and BDNF, first define BDNF. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a protein and a member of the neurotrophin family (a group of growth factors) essential for neuronal survival, growth, and differentiation. Essentially, this supports functions such as learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity by helping neurons form and strengthen connections (synapses), and BDNF is highly expressed in areas such as the cortex and hippocampus. 

Lion’s mane supports BDNF production through its polysaccharides, hericenones, and erinacines, which stimulate its release and mimic its effects by activating its receptors. 

As you may or may not know, caffeine provides immediate alertness by blocking adenosine (the chemical that makes you feel tired) and triggering a spike in stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Therefore, this blend's popularity may be because lion's mane smooths out the harsh stimulant peaks that occur through the following mechanisms of action.

• Blunting Cortisol and Adrenaline Spikes: The polysaccharides and beta-glucans in Lion's Mane function as adaptogens. These compounds help modulate the body's central nervous system response, blunting sharp cortisol spikes.
• A smooth landing via neuronal support: Lion's Mane alters how your brain handles the aftermath of caffeine via its key bioactive compounds—hericenones and erinacines—which cross the blood-brain barrier to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and support neurogenesis (the growth and repair of brain cells). This provides structural support to your neurons, creating a buffer that softens the cognitive drop-off when caffeine wears off.

6) Why are Medicinal Mushrooms a staple in tonic coffee blends?

When you add mushroom fruiting-body extracts to your coffee, you turn a nourishing beverage into a potent tonic. Mushrooms contain a wide range of nourishing compounds. 

• Polysaccharides are believed to be mushrooms' primary family of compounds that may support healthy aging. 
• Mushrooms contain a wide range of non-starch polysaccharides (carbohydrate fractions excluding starch and free sugar), such as chitin, beta-glucans, alpha-glucans, hemicellulose, mannans, xylans, and galactans. 
• Non-starch polysaccharides are divided into soluble and insoluble fractions, with up to 90% being insoluble. 
• Most (around 80%)of insoluble polysaccharides are chitin, including beta-glucans bound to chitin or protein. 
• Polysaccharides can support a wide range of actions in the human body. 
• They have been shown to have immunological, neurogenic, cardiovascular, and microbiome effects, as well as numerous other nourishing qualities. 

Until recently, it was believed that the primary polysaccharides found in fungi are beta-D-glucans, which come in various forms (beta 1-3 and beta 1-6) and are the powerhouse behind mushrooms' benefits. 

Other polysaccharides found in mushrooms include alpha-glucans like glycogen, dextran, pullulan, and starch, which long were not thought to provide the same nourishing qualities as beta-glucans. Modern research shows this belief tells only part of the story and may be based on flawed science. While beta-glucans are potent compounds, they come in hundreds of shapes and sizes; some are biologically active, while others are not. Furthermore, not all are immunologically active. 

Ultimately, they are just one variable of a wide range of compounds responsible for a mushroom's many nourishing qualities. From tradition to science, medicinal mushrooms have proven their value as potent, versatile tonics.  

7) How do I know if a tonic coffee or functional coffee blend is a better choice for me?

In simple terms, the choice comes down to your specific goal. If you want to modulate a specific pathway or down-regulate caffeine, a functional coffee blend is the better choice. 

On the other hand, if you want the same benefits with broader-spectrum effects and want to focus on nourishment, tonic coffee wins. Think of tonic coffee as a reverse pyramid, with the point at the bottom. That point may represent one of your goals: downregulating, or potentially smoothing the landing, on the backend of caffeine's effects using tonics like reishi and lion’s mane. Not only do you achieve the goal, but as you move up the reverse pyramid, it widens, showing the other positive effects you get from the tonics' various mechanisms of action.   

In conclusion, properly prepared functional or tonic coffee blends are another great, easy daily habit to support nourishing your mind, body, and spirit. These blends build a foundation for consistent daily health habits and support foundational well-being, slowly building adaptability. 

I hope I have clearly answered your most frequently asked questions about these tremendous tools, which are easy to incorporate into your daily life. When used appropriately, they can transform your life.

For more information about our Coffee Creamer blend that contains collagen peptides, lion’s mane and reishi mushroom, go here: Coffee Creamer 'VITALITY BLEND' - Vanilla

The Author’s Bio
Michael Stuchiner is a Master Herbalist and proud graduate of The School of Natural Healing, and has worked in different areas of this field for over 25 years. He is a retired elite-level powerlifter who competed for 27 years. As an avid international traveler, he is passionate about using medicinal and tonic herbs, as well as foods traditionally found in local markets, in the 35 countries he has visited. Michael brings you his years of experience as a Master Herbalist, traveler, and athlete through the hundreds of articles he has written and his YouTube channel (A Master Herbalist Perspective). He is widely regarded as a true educator in this field. For more articles written by Mike, go here: Master Herbalist.