The present invention relates to a coffee tablet which is obtainable by
molding and freeze-drying a solution of coffee solids into a desired
shape and which has improved dissolution properties and an appealing
smooth and/or shiny surface appearance. The coffee tablet also has a
closed surface pore structure and an internal pore structure wherein a
majority of the pores in the pore structure are interconnected and have a
size of between 5 and 50 micrometers. The coffee tablet can also include
a coating of a coffee, a flavorant, a colorant or an aroma. The coffee
tablet is packaged in an environment of an aroma to form a product that
exhibits fresh and strong flavor and aroma characteristics when a
beverage is prepared from the tablet even after long term storage of the
tablet.