Embodiments of the invention are directed to instant coffee and methods of preparing the same, wherein the methods include adding water having a temperature of less than 117° F. to ground coffee beans to result in a slurry with liquid and solid components, maintaining the slurry at a temperature below 117° F. for at least one hour, separating the liquid component of the slurry from the solid component, to yield a liquid coffee extract, and subjecting the liquid coffee extract to a drying process to remove water from the liquid coffee extract, to yield a solid coffee extract which can be used as an instant coffee. Embodiments of the invention are also directed to blended instant coffees and methods of preparing the same.