Inka coffee – is it worth reaching for?

Two terms, “Inka coffee” and “Anatol”, have been with us for years and it is hard to meet a person who would not associate them with a quite tasty cereal coffee. This article will tell you why, as well as whether it is worth buying this product at all.

In addition, we will check:

• What goes into cereal coffee?
• What is the calorie content of Inka coffee?
• Children, pregnant women, breastfeeding – who can and who can’t?
• Is Inka coffee carcinogenic? True or false?

However, we will start by explaining why looking through the shelves where cereal coffee can be found can be a shock, especially if you think back to the 1990s…

Inka cereal coffee – huge choice

Because those were the days! You went into a shop, asked for an Inka coffee and the shop assistant brought you one. Today such a situation would generate an additional question: “but which one?”. We have, of course, the classic version, and also…honey, chocolate, caramel, with calcium, magnesium, fibre, bio: with fig or chicory and bio classic, and finally gluten-free. In a jar or a sachet – your choice is yours!

Quickly counting, we have as many as eleven types of coffee. In addition, the brand has also been used to produce plant-based beverages.

What goes into cereal coffee?

The manufacturer both on the packaging and on its website boasts that the product consists of 100% natural ingredients. In addition, it is supposed to be fully suitable for those who prefer a vegan diet – this is also good information. We are particularly pleased with another “information sticker”, which says “no added sugar”. In times of a flood of products in which sugar is packed by the handful (yes, lovers of energy drinks and the like, we’re calling you to the board!), such a declaration is really worthwhile.

When looking at what Inka coffee actually has in its composition, we find in the list of the classic variety:

• cereals 78% (including barley, rye),
• chicory.

That is it. Looks completely natural, doesn’t it? That’s the kind of labelling we like a lot! As a curiosity it can be added that this set has not changed in principle not only since the aforementioned 1990s, but it was similar already in the 18th century, when the drink debuted in Europe. But coming back to the labels, the gluten-free Inka coffee has the following composition:

• maize 75% (flour and/or grain),
• sunflower oil,
• dried carrots 5.2%,
• dried pumpkin 5.2%,
• Vitamin B1 <0.1%.

In addition, the manufacturer declares that all ingredients come from fully controlled organic cultivation. Finally, there is the BIO variety, more specifically Inka BIO chicory coffee:

• roasted chicory root.

No, we haven’t forgotten about the ‘E’ and MSG, preservatives – and in addition we are again dealing with organically grown for this one ingredient. Sounds very appealing!

How many calories does Inka coffee have?

Well, how about at least the calories spilling out of the table without a hitch? Nothing of the sort! Even in a very restrictive diet plan, Inka coffee can easily fit into the menu. One serving, which the manufacturer has estimated at four grams, is equivalent to 14 calories. The table below reveals more:

Inka classic coffee – serving (4 g)
energy value	14 kcal
fats	0 g
of which saturated fatty acids	0 g
carbohydrates	3,2 g
of which sugars	0,5 g
fibre	0,5 g
protein	0,2 g
salt	0 g

It is worth noting that we are talking here about a specific product, namely the classic version of Inka coffee. In the case of the express sachets packaged by Delecta under the “Anatol” brand, a 200 ml portion was calculated to be slightly less, at only 4 calories.

Those tempted by chocolate Inka coffee have to swallow 177 calories in a 20 g portion of the product combined with milk (200 ml). This is slightly worse, especially that the product is also sweetened, so this variety is definitely weaker than the basic variant of the popular cereal.

Inka cereal coffee in pregnancy and for children

The list of benefits associated with the consumption of cereal coffee is relatively long. For example, it is a source of polyphenols. These are antioxidants which, to a certain extent, neutralise the effect of free radicals on the human organism. If you want to take care of the bacterial microflora in the digestive tract, it is worth mentioning inulin, also absorbed while drinking cereal.

Interestingly, when you are pregnant, it is very common to hear from your doctor that you should replace the hectolitres of coffee you drink daily with a cereal variety. There are no contraindications both during pregnancy and later, while breastfeeding.

On the internet, for several years now, we have also come across the theory that Inka coffee with modified milk can be given even to children before the age of three, but we have not come across any reliable studies. As always in such cases, whether during pregnancy, breastfeeding or with children, any doubts should be consulted with a doctor. An experienced dietician can also be of valuable assistance.

Inka coffee carcinogenic?

The Internet is full of questions, including some rather strange ones, but we are going on the assumption – he who asks, does not wander! Is Inka coffee carcinogenic? First of all, one should not generalise about cereal coffee, reducing it to Inka – a lot depends on the manufacturer and its ingredients, and there are at least a dozen manufacturers on the Polish market. That is why it is always worth reading the list of ingredients on the label.

Furthermore, here too we have not come across any studies that in any way indicate that Inka is carcinogenic, but it should be mentioned in passing that acrylamide, which is produced in the heat treatment process of both ordinary coffee and cereals, can be problematic.

Therefore, as with everything, it is important to exercise moderation here too. Preparing and drinking a “tankful” of Inka coffee per day (because it is low in calories!) will not be a good idea. One or two servings a day is a reasonable choice, especially as some people believe that this coffee can quench their hunger to a certain extent. If you choose a version with fibre, for example, you are also supplying quite a valuable ingredient to your body, so the benefits may be noticeable – if you consume more, remember to include it in your calorie balance.

Are there any fans of cereal with us? Have you had a chance to try other types of Inka? What other products can we take under consideration? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

If you want to check the nutritional information of different types of Inka, use the Fitatu app. More information about Fitatu can be found at: https://www.fitatu.com