12 Best Instant Coffee of 2021
Photo: Four Sigma Foods
Not everyone has time to pre-grind a whole bean coffee and brew a cup using methods like the French Press. After all, it takes some time to brew a high-quality coffee.
But wouldn’t it be nice to have a coffee that tastes good but can be prepared in one minute or less? Sure. It’s called instant coffee!
Ever since its release in 1930 by Nestlé, instant coffee has been an instant success.
This type of coffee is not only much more affordable than a regular whole bean coffee, but it has a fairly decent taste.
Although, keep in mind that even the best instant coffee will never be as good as a whole bean coffee prepared in the French Press!
However, it is a sacrifice that you can easily make if you do not have a lot of time. Instant coffee is very quick to brew and the taste not so bad at all. In fact, millions of people use it every day because it is quite tasty.
12 Best Instant Coffee – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Maxwell House International Instant Coffee (Sweet Vanilla Taste with Dairy Already Mixed) | ||
 | 2. Mount Hagen Organic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee (Very Tasty Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee) | ||
 | 3. Trung Nguyen G7 3-in-1 Premium Instant Coffee (Easy to Use 3-In-1 Instant Coffee) | ||
 | 4. Medaglia D'ORO Espresso Instant Coffee (Rich in Flavor and Very Easy to Use) | ||
 | 5. Folgers Classic Instant Coffee (An Instant Coffee for The Whole Family) | ||
 | 6. Starbucks VIA Italian Dark Roast Instant Coffee (An Original Starbucks Coffee) | ||
 | 7. Douwe Egberts Pure Gold Instant Coffee (A Premium Instant Coffee from Holland) | ||
 | 8. Jacob's Coffee Kronung Instant Coffee (Superior German Instant Coffee) | ||
 | 9. Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Coffee (Genuine Starbucks Product Made from Colombian Beans) | ||
 | 10. Nescafe 3 in 1 Original Instant Coffee (3-In-1 Instant Coffee from A Popular Brand) | ||
 | 11. Nescafe Gold Blend Decaff Instant Coffee (Instant Coffee With 97% Of Its Caffeine Removed) | ||
 | 12. Four Sigmatic USDA Organic Coffee (Organic Instant Coffee with Many Medicinal Properties) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Maxwell House International Instant Coffee (Sweet Vanilla Taste with Dairy Already Mixed) |
2. Mount Hagen Organic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee (Very Tasty Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee) |
3. Trung Nguyen G7 3-in-1 Premium Instant Coffee (Easy to Use 3-In-1 Instant Coffee) |
4. Medaglia D'ORO Espresso Instant Coffee (Rich in Flavor and Very Easy to Use) |
5. Folgers Classic Instant Coffee (An Instant Coffee for The Whole Family) |
6. Starbucks VIA Italian Dark Roast Instant Coffee (An Original Starbucks Coffee) |
7. Douwe Egberts Pure Gold Instant Coffee (A Premium Instant Coffee from Holland) |
8. Jacob's Coffee Kronung Instant Coffee (Superior German Instant Coffee) |
9. Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Coffee (Genuine Starbucks Product Made from Colombian Beans) |
10. Nescafe 3 in 1 Original Instant Coffee (3-In-1 Instant Coffee from A Popular Brand) 11. Nescafe Gold Blend Decaff Instant Coffee (Instant Coffee With 97% Of Its Caffeine Removed) 12. Four Sigmatic USDA Organic Coffee (Organic Instant Coffee with Many Medicinal Properties) |
1. Maxwell House International Instant Coffee – Sweet Vanilla Taste with Dairy Already Mixed
Photo: Maxwell House
Maxwell House is a reference when it comes to instant coffee. This highly popular instant coffee contains French vanilla additives that provide it with a sweet taste. Moreover, the biggest advantage of this instant coffee is that you do not have to add a lot of sugar for it to taste good.
Therefore, if you are on a diet or cannot take a lot of sugar, then this is the best tasting instant coffee for your need. It also has only 60 calories and 2.5 grams of fat, so it is excellent for those who are trying to keep the line but still want a tasty coffee.
Best, this product already comes with a dairy product mixed inside so you will not have to use additional milk with it. All in all, this instant coffee is definitely one of the easiest to use as well as the tastiest you will find on the market.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
You do not have to add a lot of sugar or milk with this instant coffee. It already contains French vanilla that is sweet out of the box.
2. Mount Hagen Organic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee – Very Tasty Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee
Photo: Mount Hagen
Instant coffee rarely tastes like a true whole bean coffee. Things are about to change with the Mount Hagan instant coffee because this coffee is freeze-dried so as to deliver the highest instant coffee grade that you can get.
Sure, this instant coffee is significantly more expensive when compared to the rest of the competition, but it also is so much better. You also get a glass container with this purchase so you can safely store this coffee without running the risk of it getting stale or bitter over time.
It contains natural flavors so as to replicate the authentic taste of a real coffee. If you want a coffee that is very easy to prepare but has the taste of a high-quality coffee, then Mount Hagan is the best freeze-dried coffee on the market.
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3. Trung Nguyen G7 3-in-1 Premium Instant Coffee – Easy To Use 3-In-1 Instant Coffee
Photo: Trung Nguyen
Trung Nguyen is a Vietnamese instant coffee. It has a competitive price and uses the dry roast process so as to conserve most of the flavors and aromas of the coffee beans.
Furthermore, this instant coffee is one of the easiest that you can prepare. Simply add hot water and stir. That’s it! It’s so easy to prepare because this is a 3-in-1 instant coffee that has coffee, cream and sugar already mixed.
So, it is an excellent coffee for those who are very busy in the morning and do not have time to prepare a traditional cup of coffee.
But what is outstanding about this instant coffee is that there are 100 sachets in the pack so even if you are a heavy coffee drinker, you have plenty.
All things considered, this Vietnamese instant coffee is definitely one of the most versatile and easy to use the product you will find in this instant coffee review. We highly recommend it!
Read More: Vietnamese Coffee
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
Since this instant coffee has a lot of sugar mixture, it is not recommended for people who do not or cannot intake too much sugar
4. Medaglia D'ORO Espresso Instant Coffee – Rich in Flavor and Very Easy To Use
Photo: Medaglia D'ORO
Medaglia is a popular instant coffee that is double roasted so as to remove its caffeine level and preserve its flavor.
One of the biggest advantages of this instant coffee is that it is very easy to make. All you have to do is add hot water to the coffee, stir and it is ready for drinking.
In order to help you store this instant coffee, it comes with a plastic container that is fully airtight. The only caveat we note with this instant coffee is that you get only 57 grams for your money. However, it is still more affordable when compared to the competition.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
We recommend that you stir this coffee in hot water for at least 30 seconds so as to release all its aromas. Also, note that this instant coffee does not have any sugar added to it.
5. Folgers Classic Instant Coffee – An Instant Coffee for The Whole Family
Photo: Folgers
Folgers Classic is a popular instant coffee that many people around the world use. Additionally, Folgers makes some of the best tasting instant coffee around.
Recently, this product has undergone a change in packaging, and it is now in an airtight plastic package that will allow you to store your instant coffee without running the risk of it getting rancid or stale over time.
Best, you get no less than 3 packs with this purchase, so even if it is a little bit expensive, it still remains value for money especially considering the quality of this instant coffee.
This coffee has a classic taste, and there are no additives added to it so in terms of taste is as close as possible to a real whole bean coffee.
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Cons:
Notes
You get 120 servings with one pack of Folgers Classic
6. Starbucks VIA Italian Dark Roast Instant Coffee – An Original Starbucks Coffee
Photo: Starbucks
As its name suggests, the VIA Italian is the exact type of coffee that you will buy at Starbucks. Except for one thing, you can prepare this instant coffee right in your kitchen, and it will taste just as good.
Since this instant coffee has been made from Arabica coffee beans, it has a very smooth taste. Additionally, there are rich and sweet undertones in this coffee. If you are the type of person who does not consume a lot of sugar, then the Starbucks VIA is one of the best instant coffee packets that you can buy.
And talking about packets, this instant coffee contains 50 packets in the box. This should be enough to last at least a month as long as you are a casual drinker.
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7. Douwe Egberts Pure Gold Instant Coffee – A Premium Instant Coffee from Holland
Photo: Douwe Egberts
The Douwe Egberts is unbeatable when it comes to a price to quality ratio. Indeed, this Dutch instant coffee uses the freeze-dried method, so it is a very high-quality instant coffee.
Moreover, this instant coffee comes in a small but fully airtight glass container that will allow it to seal the coffee from the air. This will prevent the coffee from oxidizing and getting a rancid taste over time. You do not get a lot of coffee with this purchase, as the packaging contains only 200 g of instant coffee.
However, keep in mind that this is a premium grade instant coffee, so you are paying for quality here.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
The packaging of this instant coffee may vary. However, regardless of what type of packaging you get from this manufacturer, they will all be fully airtight so as to prevent your Douwe Egberts instant coffee from getting rancid.
8. Jacob's Coffee Kronung Instant Coffee – Superior German Instant Coffee
Photo: Jacob's
Germany is not reputed for making only high-quality cars. They also make excellent instant coffee. The Jacob’s Kronung is regarded by many as being one of the best instant coffee brands on the market.
You get two packs of 99 grams of instant coffee with this purchase. It is definitely not a lot, but considering that this instant coffee is concentrated, you will not be using much to get a tasty and strong cup of coffee.
Additionally, this coffee comes in a glass jar that is fully airtight so you will have no problem storing and preventing the coffee from getting rancid. All in all, even if this instant coffee is a blend, it has superior taste when compared to others.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
It is recommended to stir this coffee well so as to allow all its flavors to spread.
9. Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Coffee – Genuine Starbucks Product Made from Colombian Beans
Photo: Starbucks
The Starbucks VIA Ready is another tasty and easy to brew instant coffee. It will taste just like the real Starbucks coffee but cost significantly less.
What differentiates this product from others is that it is a pure Colombian coffee. It is rich in flavor and taste almost similar to a Colombian whole bean coffee. The roast is also medium so as to preserve all its aromas and flavors.
Moreover, this instant coffee has a more powerful coffee kick when compared to others because it has a higher caffeine level.
When it comes to the preparation, it is extremely easy!
All you have to do is add hot water and stir well for the flavors to mix. Yes, it is that easy! Also, you get 50 sachets in one back, so if you are a casual coffee drinker, then it should easily last you a month.
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10. Nescafe 3 in 1 Original Instant Coffee – 3-In-1 Instant Coffee from A Popular Brand
Photo: Nescafe
Without a doubt, Nescafe is one of the best instant coffee brands on the market. With this Nescafe original instant coffee, you get 28 sticks out of the box.
What makes this instant coffee unique is that this is a 3-in-1 solution, so it has the coffee, dairy product, and sugar mixed in. Bottom line, this instant coffee is extremely easy to brew and is truly “instant.” Not to mention that it has a superb taste.
The only caveat we have with this product is that you need to brew it with very hot water, around 90°C or else it may not dissolve properly. You will also need to stir it for at least 30 seconds for the flavor to spread.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
This is an original Nescafe formula that is made from organic Asian coffee beans
11. Nescafe Gold Blend Decaff Instant Coffee – Instant Coffee With 97% Of Its Caffeine Removed
Photo: Nescafe
The Nescafe Gold is a decaf instant coffee with its caffeine level reduced by as much as 97%. Despite not having caffeine, this instant coffee still tastes just as good as any other coffee on the market.
In fact, this instant coffee has a lot of natural aromas and flavors that provides it with an excellent taste. Additionally, it is extremely easy to prepare this instant coffee as all you have to do is add hot water to it and stir.
When it comes to storage, no problem there. It is delivered with a fully airtight jar that is also transparent. You can easily tell if you are running low on coffee by simply looking at it.
All in all, if you are a person who can’t take caffeine, then this product by Nescafe is one of the best instant decaf coffee brands on the market. You will absolutely not regret it!
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12. Four Sigmatic USDA Organic Coffee – Organic Instant Coffee with Many Medicinal Properties
Photo: Four Sigma Foods
This Four Sigmatic coffee focuses a lot on organic. Indeed, the whole beans used in the production of this instant coffee are fully organic. This means that no synthetic pesticides or any other harmful substances have been used in its cultivation.
Also, this instant organic coffee promises to help the user in areas like concentration, memory and a boost in the immune system. Despite all this, it still tastes pretty good. Although, it is not as tasty when compared to other instant coffee in this review.
Moreover, this instant coffee is also expensive because you get only 25 g of product with this purchase. There are 10 sachets in the pack. But, considering its many medicinal properties, this product by Four Sigmatic is certainly one of the best organic instant coffee brands currently on the market.
Pros:
Cons:
Notes
Prepare this instant coffee just like any other instant coffee. Simply pour hot water and stir well for 30 seconds before you drink.
How to Buy the Best Instant Coffee
Photo: Starbucks
There are different types of instant coffee on the market. Therefore, it can be difficult to choose the right type of coffee for your need. Here is some helpful advice that will help you by the best instant coffee packets online.
1. Dried or Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is basically made by two methods. Spray-Dried and the Freeze-Dried method.
Spray-Dried: The spray dried method is the cheapest method to make instant coffee. The quality is also not as good as the freeze-dried method.
Basically, the coffee paste is placed in a metal tube under very high pressure, and hot steam is allowed to circulate inside the tube.
This dehydrates the coffee paste quickly and leaves a brittle and crumbly solid that can easily be broken down into finer particles with the fingers. Since a lot of flavors and aromas are lost using the spray dried method, only low-quality coffee beans are used.
Freeze-dried: This method produces the highest quality instant coffee that you can buy.
High-quality Arabica coffee beans are used in this method, and they are grounded and mix with water so as to produce a coffee extract.
This coffee extract is then frozen at -40°C so that it becomes a solid. It is then crumbled into smaller granular structures and dried in a vacuum at very low temperature.
The low-temperature, as well as the drying process in a vacuum, allows the freeze-dried method to conserve most of its aromas and taste.
Therefore, when it comes to quality, the freeze-dried method produces the best instant coffee on the market.
2. Beans and the Roast Type
The quality of the beans used in the production of instant coffee, as well as the roasting process, plays an important role in its final quality.
Most of the time, an Arabica whole bean will produce a superior instant coffee. Additionally, a coffee bean that has been medium or dark roasted will have a smoother taste because most of its caffeine has been removed during the roasting process.
3. Caffeine Levels
Many people tend to avoid a coffee that contains too much caffeine because caffeine can be addictive.
In addition, there are situations where you want to avoid caffeine altogether like when a woman is pregnant or when a person has been prohibited from consuming caffeine because of medical reasons.
Therefore, it pays to look at the caffeine that your instant coffee contains. If you want to limit your consumption of caffeine, then go with an instant coffee that has 60 grams of caffeine per serving or less.
4. Additives and Flavors
As their name suggests, additive and flavors are substances that are later added to your instant coffee to give it a better taste.
This is because the natural aroma and taste of the instant coffee have been lost during production, especially if the instant coffee is made using the spray-dried method.
Moreover, whether or not you want additives and flavors in your instant coffee is simply a question of preference.
5. Packaging
Since instant coffee comes in small granules and hence, it has a larger surface area. So, you must ensure that the packaging is airtight to prevent the coffee from oxidizing and becoming stale.
It is preferred to go with an instant coffee that comes in a glass container because it is so much easier to store.
If you go with an instant coffee that comes in a paper bag, then you will definitely have two use a secondary container for storage.
Tips to Make the Perfect Cup of Instant Coffee
Photo: Four Sigma Foods
Making a tasty coffee is not difficult. Here are some tips used by baristas every day that will help you prepare the best instant coffee as quickly as possible.
Tip 1 - Don’t Use Boiling Water
One mistake that most people do when preparing instant coffee is adding boiling water to it. This will scald the coffee and prevents the aromas and flavors from the ground coffee to escape. Thus, if you use boiling water with instant coffee, most of the time it will have a bland taste.
In order to afford this problem, use only water that around 80°C to 90°C. You will definitely get a better tasting coffee at this temperature.
Tip 2 - Stir for 30 Seconds
Stirring is very important when preparing instant coffee. By steering, you increase the surface area for water to act on the ground coffee.
Additionally, stirring for 30 seconds allows the carbon dioxide in the coffee to escape which then creates a chemical reaction that removes any bitterness from the coffee.
You are then left with a smooth and authentic tasting coffee that tastes exactly as the manufacturer intends it to.
Tip 3 – Cleanliness
When using instant coffee, it is extremely important that all your coffee utensils, as well as cups, are clean. In fact, every time you prepare instant coffee, you must thoroughly clean everything.
That’s because coffee residue will quickly turn rancid and spoil the taste of your coffee.
Conclusion
As we have seen, instant coffee is a quick way to make a tasty coffee. It is mostly intended for those who do not have a lot of time to prepare their coffee.
If you also want to get the best tasting instant coffee, it is important to choose an instant coffee from a quality brand.
Consequently, our instant coffee review above lists only high-quality instant coffee that is expressly made for those who want to get a tasty cup of coffee as quickly as possible.
