Ah, the coffee conundrum— how to get a perfectly brewed cup without waiting hours for the whole beans to grind and brew.
If you opt for the cheaper instant coffee brands, what you’ll be getting is a coffee latte with, most likely, half a cup of powdered milk. Not that this conundrum was ever truly solved; it’s just made more complicated, thanks to big brands like Nespresso and Tassimo.
In order to get the the very best tasting cup of coffee, no matter how you brew it, you will need the right gourmet coffee beans and, preferably, a way to control the temperature, water pressure, and brewing time.
So, in order to get the perfect method for your situation, we have reviewed all the best instant coffees on the market.
If you watch a lot of Master Chef, you’ve probably seen at least one episode where Keller or Bourdain are brewing coffee for a crew of 20 or more.
Why is it so difficult to work with powder, instant coffee, or Nespresso pods? Because you have to control time, temperature and water pressure in order to get a perfect brew without getting it burnt.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Maxwell House International French Vanilla Café Instant Coffee | Best Overall |  |
| Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee Crystals | Budget Pick |  |
| Jacobs Kronung Instant Coffee 200 Gram / 7.05 Ounce | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Maxwell House International French Vanilla Café Instant Coffee
Pros:
- You can purchase low-acid content boiled coffee from Maxwell House
- International Café products come in a variety of other flavors
Cons:
- Some flavors such as the toasted caramel pot do not have very many reviews as compared to other flavors
- There is no low-acid content instant coffee for sale separately
We found several different varieties of the Maxwell House International Cafe Instant Coffee. Each variety offered a unique flavor and a few of them even had a diverse flavor profile. For instance, the French Vanilla offered a velvety taste while the Iced caramel mocha had a bold taste to it. Since there are a few different kinds of instant coffees available, it is more than likely that you will find a kind that you will absolutely love.
2. Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Medium Roast Packets — Colombia — 1 box
Pros:
- Fresh Starbucks flavor
- Easy to measure
- Affordable
- No pods, no filters, no mess
- Good value for money
- Smooth and full-bodied with velvety texture
- A quick and easy way to make a cup of hot coffee
- The packaging is resealable, so you can store the unused instant coffee
- Not packed with lots of sugar like typical instant coffees
- Ready to use simply by adding hot water
Cons:
- Available in only limited flavors around the world
- Too sugary for some people
- Flavors differ from country to country depending on tastes
- Some taste packets have been reported to come in a less manageable and smaller size
- Basic packaging
When it comes to convenience, Starbucks VIA Instant Colombian Medium Roast Coffee is hard to beat. This all-in-one package is easy to store, easy to measure, easy to mix with hot water, and easy to make a quick and delicious coffee beverage.
You can control the amount of water you use. If you use more, it will be milder; the more you use, the stronger it will be. You can also adjust its flavor to have a better taste by mixing it with hot water. The VIA package is resealable and you can divide it easily before use.
3. Nescafe Clasico Instant Coffee,7 Ounce
Pros:
- One of the most affordable pouches on the market
- Bland taste for people who like their coffee light and weak
- Excellent to use in an office setting without having to make a whole pot
- Rich espresso aroma after steeping for 60 seconds
Cons:
- Unlike most instant coffee, it has some bite to it
- The least appetizing package design
Nescafe Clasico has been a favorite throughout Europe for over 50 years. The number one brand in France, the exquisite taste of creamy milk, and the mild, rich flavor of Nescafe Clasico will make you certain you’ve made the right choice.
Preparing Nescafe Clasico is simple, effortless and convenient. Just stir one rounded 20ml serving of Clasico into 250ml of hot/boiling water and enjoy the taste that made Nescafe famous. It’s delicious!
Nescafe coffee makes great coffee at home, without the fuss of an espresso machine. Your home will smell wonderful and neighbors and friends will be begging for a cup.
4. Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Coffee
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Smooth coffee taste
- Not bitter
- No harsh after taste
- Convenient to use
- No water needed
Cons:
- Comes in 12 packs
- No resealable lid
- Needs to be stored away from direct sunlight
- There is a possibility of spilling from the box if you are not careful
(Pack of 1)
5. Mount Hagen Organic Instant Regular Coffee
Pros:
- Organic
- Gluten Free
- Natural
Cons:
- Needs to be mixed with hot water
- Can’t be used with a coffee maker
In our opinion, there’s nothing like a freshly brewed cup of hot coffee in the morning. Whether it’s your favorite Starbucks blend or freshly ground, we’re sure you agree.
We’ve given you the detailed reviews about the best coffee makers and coffee grinders available. Now, we’re going to take it one step further and help you make a freshly brewed cup. Quality coffee makers and grinders are made by established manufacturers that have been in the business for quite some time.
However, not so with instant coffee. There’s a whole slew of brands coming on the market, and it’s quite difficult finding a worthy one. Nonetheless, we’ve done our homework and have chosen the Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee as our top recommendation.
6. Maxim Mocha Gold Mild Coffee Mix
Pros:
- Available in both decaf and regular
- Low price
Cons:
- Smaller bags
- Higher calories and caffeine than other instant coffees
Available in affordable, 100-packs.
The mixture is made of instant coffee and chicory, and some other natural flavors.
7. Douwe Egberts Pure Gold Instant Coffee
Pros:
- One of the best on the market for both flavor and price
- Makes a smooth cup of coffee
- Brews easily
- Great for use in travel mugs
This is one of those coffees that is so good and so well-liked that it really doesn’t need a lot of introduction. This is the best instant coffee, most people say. When the package comes you’ll see why it’s so popular.
It’s shipped in a pretty neat decorative tin-style container and the flavor is quite mild, although people who like it light probably won’t care for it.
You should make sure to follow the directions on the package for use if you’re new to it. You’ll love how easy it is to make and serve with hot water from the sport bottle for traveling, too.
8. Waka Coffee Quality Instant Coffee
Pros:
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Dense foam
- No bitter taste
- Contains whole coffee beans
- Not acidic
Cons:
- Contains sugar and sweetener
- Contains caffeine
With years worth of experience in the coffee business, you can trust in Waka Coffee to get you that jolt. Made from 100% Arabica Colombian Coffee, Waka Coffee instants are designed to dissolve easily in hot water. Enjoy your coffee in the morning with your favorite drink, or fill your cup before you leave the house so you have no excuse to stall making coffee when you arrive at work or at home.
Simple and convenient to use, anyone can make their coffee in less than 90 seconds. These single-serve packets of freeze dried instant coffee are small enough to fit in your suitcase, laptop bag or backpack. No one has time for a heavy, bulky can of coffee. Say goodbye to waiting in the line at the coffee shop. No more cleaning of the coffee maker and dangerously hot coffee.
For those of you who like to travel, you will also no longer have to find your coffee friends. With a light, compact pouch, you have instant coffee. You can take it with you on your bike, to the office, even on your morning run. Not to mention you can also be the hero who brings the coffee to that office potluck.
9. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Pros:
- Perfect for ketogenic diabetics (no sugar, low or no carbs)
- Certified organic
- Significantly boosts energy and mental clarity
- Loaded with powerful adaptogens
- Zero impact on blood sugar levels
- Doesn’t cause the dreaded jitters
- Very convenient to use
- Easy on the stomach
- Compatible with ketogenic and paleo diets
Cons:
- Some potential side effects like insomnia, stomach cramps, elevated blood pressure and headaches
- Different reactions to different people
- Not suitable for everyone
In recent years mushroom coffee has become popular across the US due to its diabetes-friendly properties. It’s a natural alternative to drinking coffee as it contains zero calories.
10. Jacobs Kronung Instant Coffee 200 Gram / 7.05 Ounce
Pros:
- Can be found inexpensively
- Easy to use
- Pleasant cup of coffee
- Fast results
The Swiss coffee maker Jacobs is well known for the high quality of its coffee. In fact, it was the first company worldwide to seal coffee in aluminum bags in 1939.
While you might not be able to get fresh coffee from the company, you can get its fast-acting instant coffee. This just-add-hot-water coffee is strong enough to hold its own with milk or in a pot of coffee.
This coffee is also a great choice for coffee lovers who like instant coffee and who want to head outdoors with some for a hike, camping trip or even on a boat, thanks to its resealable bag.
11. Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee Crystals
Pros:
- Solid price
- This coffee is awesome for when you’re in a jam and need a hot cup of coffee quick.
- Has a great smell and taste and is quite affordable.
- Your coffee will be ready in just 15 seconds
- The amount of coffee granules are the perfect amount for a cup of coffee.
- The coffee cups aroma is amazing.
Cons:
- There isn’t much to complain about when it comes to this coffee.
The Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee Crystals is probably one of the first things that you think of when you hear the word instant coffee. Millions of americans reach for a cup of this a day and they can’t be all bad.
When you look at the entire coffee industry you will find that Folgers is probably the most famous brand of coffee in the United States. That’s because this company has been making people happy with their coffee for little over a century now!
Folgers sure has done a great job with creating a household name when it comes to their coffee. In recent years, they have even decided to make their brand more popular by expanding their product line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best instant coffee to buy?
How do you make the best cup of instant coffee?
You should mix the grounds with water, give it a good stir, place it in your mug or cup, and then add hot water. Your best bet is to use a full 8-ounce cup of water: 5 ounces of water for the grounds, stir, and then add 3 ounces of hot water. After you've added the hot water, lightly stir before adding sugar, milk, and cream.
Is instant coffee made from grounds?
Yes it is. Instant coffee is made from coffee grounds. It’s a concentrated form of coffee, and can be described as “coffee on steroids.”
How do you get the sediment out of instant coffee?
You may get some sediment in the coffee cup as you pour the water, but just give it a quick stir and it will be easy to dissolve.
Which instant coffee has the most caffeine?
We like to prick our Gourmet Coffee friend’s ears up when we talk about this. Starbucks has the most caffeine of all instant coffees. The 8-ounce serving size of Starbucks has 180 mg Caffeine.
Why Instant coffee is bad for you?
Instant coffee is never ideal, no matter how desperate you are and how good it tastes. Why? Because of the process most instant coffees undergo.
In order to pre-brew your coffee grinds and then spray them with hot water, the grinds must be ground very finely. In fact, they are ground finer than espresso and drip coffee. This is done in order to extract the coffee’s soluble solids as quickly as possible. The problem, however, is that this process also pulps (or burns) many of the naturally occurring oils in the coffee bean. With the oils in the bean scrapped off, the flavor of the coffee is impaired.
Conclusion
Throughout this article we will spend time covering some of the benefits of purchasing pre-ground coffee, how to grind your own beans, as well as the different types of grinds that are available. Next, we will look at the best coffee maker to use in order to get the best cup of coffee. Finally, we will break down our recommended top three picks for single serve coffee makers.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Maxwell House International French Vanilla Café Instant Coffee | Best Overall | |
| Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee Crystals | Budget Pick | |
| Jacobs Kronung Instant Coffee 200 Gram / 7.05 Ounce | Upgrade Pick | |