Abstract: An improved instant coffee is prepared by subjecting roast and finely ground coffee particles of 5-800 microns to devolatilization and extraction operations under conditions which sustain the freshness of a desirable coffee volatiles and soluble solids. A semi-bed of mechanically fluidized roasted and ground coffee particles is sprayed with 32.degree.-110.degree. F water and contacted with steam for devolatilization under an absolute pressure of 5-100 mm of Hg and a temperature of 32.degree.-110.degree. F. The resulting volatiles-laden steam is then condensed under an absolute pressure of about 4-80 mm of Hg and under supercooling conditions to provide a frost. A coffee volatiles-containing concentrate is made from that frost by contacting it with an aqueous coffee extract. Valuable coffee solids remaining in the devolatilized roast and fine ground coffee particles are extracted therefrom by a slurry extraction operation.

Abstract: An aromatized instant coffee comprising the combination of aroma-enriched carrier and instant coffee. The product has an aroma intensity of at least 70,000 gas chromatograph counts, a pore factor of at least 0.9, and a retention factor of at least 0.80. Also part of the invention are preferred methods of applying aroma-enriched carrier to coffee products whose roast and ground coffee aroma is desired to be increased. An especially preferred method comprises adding aroma frost-enriched coffee oil in a dropwise addition manner to the coffee product. In a most preferred embodiment, dropwise addition is accomplished by injection, preferably by a syringe member, which is extended from the open end of a coffee container to near the bottom of the container and while the syringe is being pulled upward out of said container a predetermined amount of aroma-enriched coffee oil is injected into the product.