Soluble coffee powder

1:

• A method for manufacture of a freeze-dried coffee powder, the method comprising:
• providing a coffee extract having from 50 wt % to 70 wt % solids;
• adding gas to the coffee extract in an amount from 0.5 to 3 normal litres per kilogram of solids, to provide a gas-containing coffee extract at above atmospheric pressure;
• cooling the gas-containing coffee extract to a temperature of −10 to 10° C.;
• depressurising the gas-containing coffee extract to form a foamed coffee extract;
• adding crystals of a material capable of sublimation to the foamed coffee extract at a temperature of −10 to 10° C. to form a mixture comprising the foamed coffee extract and the crystals of the material capable of sublimation;
• cooling the mixture comprising the foamed coffee extract and the crystals of the material capable of sublimation to below −30° C. to form a solid coffee extract;
• fragmenting the solid coffee extract;
• and
• placing the solid coffee extract under conditions wherein the crystals of the material capable of sublimation sublime.