DIY/Homemade Caffenol-C
Also known as: Caffenol, Coffee Developer
Community-developed formula using household ingredients. Instant coffee provides caffeic acid (developing agent), vitamin C accelerates development, washing soda provides alkalinity. Cheap instant coffee works best — avoid freeze-dried. See caffenol-development technique guide for full recipes.
Temperature
20°C
18–24°C
Dilutions
1
Form
Liquid
Characteristics
Warm tones, good midtone separation
Dilutions
Mix fresh immediately before use. Standard recipe: 40g instant coffee, 16g vitamin C, 54g washing soda per litre.
Shelf Life
Concentrate
Components store indefinitely separately
Working Solution
Use immediately (30 min max after mixing)
One-shot use only. Mix fresh for each session.
Often Used For
Limitations & Warnings
- Results vary with coffee brand and type
- Slower development times (12-15 min typical)
- Brown staining possible on some films
- Requires fresh mixing each use
Descriptions combine manufacturer specifications with community experience. Subjective assessments reflect common sentiment among photographers and may not match your results.