Tips for a Perfect Cup of Best Instant Coffee

Are you looking for tips to make the best instant coffee? It is easy to make on a late morning or when you’re out on an adventure. Within a few seconds, you have your cup of coffee ready.  

However, instant coffee differs to a greater extent from freshly brewed coffee. A coffee maker conveniently delivers high-quality coffee rich in flavor, aroma, and taste. 

Instant coffee has not had the best reputation. In fact, most coffee lovers would rather spend several bucks buying coffee from a cafe rather than using instant coffee. 

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However, you can save money by buying the best instant coffee from top instant coffee brands. So, in this guide, we’ll take you through the tips of preparing a perfect cup of joe using instant coffee. 

So let’s begin! 

Difference Between Ground Coffee And Instant Coffee

You might be wondering, isn’t ground coffee the same as instant coffee? To your surprise, they are different. 

The most notable difference is that you mix instant coffee granules with hot water to make coffee, while ground coffee is the opposite. You must use a paper filter to hold the coffee grounds.

You do not need brewing skills with instant coffee. However, ground coffee requires skills to make a quality shot of your favorite beverage. 

Brands use spray-drying and freeze-drying methods to make instant coffee.

The freeze-drying method involves freezing the coffee extract and drying it, leaving behind granules of coffee. This method does not remove coffee properties like flavor and aroma, making it the best for making instant coffee.  

Spray-drying, on the other hand, uses heat to make instant coffee. The coffee extract is sprayed into hot air. The falling droplets dry out into instant coffee. 

The method of making instant coffee varies depending on the brand. 

Best Instant Coffee Brands

Making coffee using instant coffee is fast and easy. However, if you need the best tasting instant coffee, you need to pick the right choice from the top brands. 

As mentioned earlier, coffee brands use either the freeze-drying or spray-drying method to make instant coffee. So, which of these brands should you go to for the best instant coffee?

Nescafe Taster’s Choice

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You do not need to be a barista or have a coffee brewer to make instant coffee. Nescafe is a top coffee brand to consider when buying instant coffee. 

To make the best tasting instant coffee, you can add sugar, milk, or creamer. The Nescafe instant coffee container locks the coffee flavors for fresh coffee brewing.  

Instant coffee is for coffee lovers who love caffeinated coffee. Nescafe sources for 100% premium coffee beans, then roast them to a light roast. 

Making instant coffee with Nescafe coffee is fast. For the late mornings, adventure, or camping, you do not have to miss your daily cup of joe. 

Nescafe instant coffee delivers a smooth, refined, and balanced flavor. Each coffee jar makes up to 105 cups of coffee. However, it is pricey. 

Maxwell House Instant Coffee

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An airtight lid helps to lock coffee flavor and aroma. Otherwise, coffee can quickly go stale when it comes into contact with air. As mentioned earlier, you cannot use a coffee brewer to make instant coffee. 

Maxwell House instant coffee has a medium roast. The 8 oz pack is resealable to maintain coffee freshness.

To make coffee, you only need a tablespoon of Maxwell instant coffee. The coffee beans are custom roasted, delivering a classic taste with a full-bodied and smooth flavor. 

Maxwell House coffee is one of the best instant coffee to try. You can choose decaf or caffeinated coffee based on your preference. 

Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee

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You can select a 12 oz or 8 oz pack of Folgers instant coffee. An 8 oz pack makes up to 120 cups of coffee. 

To make a delicious cup of joe for your morning, you can mix instant coffee with hot water or milk. The brand uses 100% coffee roasted to a medium roast. 

Folgers coffee has a flip-top jar to preserve the flavor and aroma of coffee granules. On a lazy day or whenever you need caffeine, you have your instant coffee ready within a few seconds. 

Highground Organic Instant Coffee

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Organic coffee is chemical-free. It does not rely on chemicals like pesticides or harmful fertilizers that are dangerous to coffee farmers and the environment. 

Highground Arabica coffee is certified by FairTrade, Kosher, and USDA organic. The coffee beans have a medium, light, and dark roast. 

You can select decaf, regular coffee, and single-serve packets. With the Highground organic instant coffee, you can make iced decaf or Dalgona coffee. 

To enhance the taste of your instant coffee, you can add milk or milk substitutes. You can select from a 3.53-ounce or 0.7 ounce pack. 

Medaglia D’Oro Espresso Style Instant Coffee

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Instead of taking black coffee, you can use Medaglia instant coffee for that traditional espresso flavor. The caffeinated espresso coffee has a dark roast. 

To prepare a cup of espresso, add hot boiling water to a cup and mix with a tablespoon of instant espresso coffee. If you’re in a rush and need a quick coffee drink, instant coffee is easy to prepare. 

Community Coffee Café Special Decaf

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Decaf coffee is coffee without caffeine. Most of the Community Coffee blends are in instant form. You’re free to pick your favorite flavor to make instant coffee any time you need coffee.  

The instant coffee has a medium-dark roast with notes of caramel and cocoa. To make the best instant decaf coffee, use hot water, then add your preferred sweetener. 

Cafe Altura Organic Decaf Coffee

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Cafe Altura uses the freeze-drying method to make instant coffee. This coffee is certified by USDA Organic and FairTrade. 

It’s also verified as non-GMO. With the 100g jar, you can make up to 60 servings. The 100% Arabica coffee is best for making iced or hot coffee. However, the brand does not offer single-serve packets. 

Intelligentsia Coffee

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You do not need barista skills to make instant coffee. A pack of Intelligentsia coffee has 5 sachets of light roast, single-serve coffee. You can enjoy your cup of joe hot or cold. 

The caffeinated instant coffee has taste notes of milk chocolate, apple, and mandarin. The benefit of using instant coffee sachets is that you can use them while traveling or on an adventure. 

To make a cup of coffee, pour 8 to 10 ounces of water, then stir to enjoy your coffee. Intelligentsia Coffee partners with Direct trade to ensure that the brand buys coffee from farmers. 

Jacobs Cronat Gold Instant Coffee

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Jacobs uses the freeze-drying method to make instant coffee. You can pick a favorite from the various selections the brand offers. 

Jacobs recommends using water at 190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit to make instant coffee. Similar to other preparation methods of instant coffee, add one or two cups of coffee to hot water, stir and enjoy your coffee. 

If you prefer taking a cold brew, you can make iced coffee with jacobs instant coffee. However, it can be pricey. 

Starbucks Premium Instant Coffee

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If you want to experience a taste of Starbucks at home, you should consider buying Starbucks coffee. You can select from whole bean coffee, ground coffee, and instant coffee from the brand. 

The instant coffee from Starbucks has a medium roast and is caffeinated. It’s packaged in a recyclable tin. The tasting notes have hints of creamy milk and nuts. 

Starbucks instant coffee is 100% Arabica coffee. You can make up to 40 cups of smooth and delicious instant coffee. 

You can add as many scoops as you want to a single cup of coffee. Starbucks instant coffee can have medium, light, or dark roast. 

Café Bustelo Espresso Instant Coffee

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With Cafe Bustelo, you can make instant espresso coffee while camping or on an adventure. It has a dark roast and blends well with hot water or milk. 

You will enjoy a consistent flavor from the espresso coffee. It’s best for coffee lovers who drink caffeinated coffee. You can add milk or sugar to your espresso. 

Rapidfire Instant Keto Coffee Mix

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For a coffee lover on a keto diet, Rapidfire keto coffee has got you sorted. You can select the original flavor, hazelnut, or caramel macchiato.  

With keto coffee, you can make a hot or cold beverage. It is rich in healthy fatty acids and MCTs that create ketones to improve brain function, weight loss, and boost metabolism. 

The canister has instant coffee mix that can make up to 15 servings. Keto coffee has a medium roast. 

Cafe Tastle Instant Coffee

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Cafe Tastle uses the freeze-drying method to make instant coffee. The coffee granules have a medium roast and are caffeinated. 

The instant coffee is packed in a BPA-free plastic container that is also reusable. You can make up to 270 cups of instant coffee.

Four Sigmatic Organic Instant Coffee

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Instant coffee from Four Sigmatic is certified by USDA organic. The coffee powder has a medium roast and is caffeinated. 

You can select from three flavor profiles the brand offers. A pack has 10 packets of instant coffee. The brand uses spray-drying to make instant coffee.

How To Make The Best Tasting Instant Coffee

Do you agree that making instant coffee is fast and convenient? Have you picked the best instant coffee already? So, the next task after buying instant coffee is brewing. 

It’s easy to make a perfect shot of instant coffee. Add a tablespoon of instant coffee to a cup, add hot water, then stir. It’s that fast and convenient. 

You can make the best tasting instant coffee at home using these tips:

Preheat your coffee mug

Like a barista, preheat your coffee mug by adding hot water. It helps to maintain coffee heat after brewing. 

Add instant coffee

Select the best instant coffee brands that use the freeze-drying method to make instant coffee. You can use single-serve instant coffee or buy a full canister. Add one to two tablespoons of instant coffee to your brewing cup.  

Use hot water

When you’re making instant coffee, avoid using boiling water. Use hot water but not boiling water. Using boiled water may result in bitter coffee. 

For cold brew coffee lovers, use cold or room temperature water to make instant coffee. Place ice cubes in your brewing cup and enjoy your cup of iced coffee. 

Add a sweetener or additives

 You need hot water and instant coffee only. However, adding additives like sugar and coffee creamers enhances the taste of your cup of joe. 

Coffee lovers prefer using instant coffee for coffee brewing because of its convenience. With instant coffee, a coffee grinder and brewer are not necessary.

Tips For Buying The Best Tasting Instant Coffee

Coffee brands have adapted to making instant coffee. So how will you know that you’re buying the best instant coffee?

Check the brand

The best method of identifying top instant coffee brands is by checking customer reviews. A buying guide also helps identify brands that have quality instant coffee. 

Decaf or caffeinated instant coffee

Do you prefer decaf or caffeinated coffee? Ground coffee has more caffeine than instant coffee. If you take coffee without caffeine, ensure that you select the best instant decaf coffee from the top brands. 

Price

The best instant coffee tends to be pricey. The price of instant coffee varies depending on the brand. 

Instant coffee is more affordable than whole bean coffee or ground coffee. You can buy single-serve sachets if you’re within a budget range. 

Single-serve or multiple serving

Instant coffee can be in single-serve sachets or a canister. If you’re trying instant coffee for the first time, you can start with the single-serve sachets. 

For example, if you’re buying coffee for individual serving, the single-serve packets are best for you. However, if you need coffee for your family, a jar or canister saves you money. 

Tasting notes

Coffee from a coffee brewer has better taste and flavor than instant coffee. Instant coffee can have dark, light, or medium roast. Check the details of the tasting notes to be sure that you’re buying the best instant coffee. 

Drying method

Earlier in this guide, we mentioned the two methods of making instant coffee – freeze-drying and spray-drying. The best instant coffee is from brands that use the freeze-drying method. However, instant coffee made from freeze-drying is pricey. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between instant coffee and ground coffee?

Instant coffee is not the same as ground coffee. The main difference is the caffeine content, as instant coffee has less caffeine than ground coffee. 

Another difference is the preparation method. You do not need a filter to hold coffee granules. 

2. Are there health benefits of using instant coffee?

There are multiple health benefits of taking instant coffee. It helps boost your metabolism, increase brain function, improve mental health and reduce the risk of diabetes. 

3. What are the pros and cons of using instant coffee?

If you’re considering buying the best instant coffee, here’s a list of the advantages and drawbacks you should have in mind. 

4. Does instant coffee expire?

Instant coffee, ground coffee, and whole beans will go stale if you leave the coffee open. To ensure that your instant coffee remains fresh, store it in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. 

5. Should you use instant coffee for coffee brewing or regular coffee?

Instant coffee is suitable for coffee lovers who prefer convenience over taste and coffee flavor. The choice of using instant or regular coffee is a personal preference. 

However, if you love a perfect cup of joe in the morning, use regular coffee. You will need a coffee maker, coffee filter, and ground coffee to brew. 

6. Can you use instant coffee to make iced coffee and cold brew coffee?

Yes. It’s easy to use instant coffee to make a cold beverage. To make a cold brew, use filtered water at room temperature. For iced coffee, add ice cubes after brewing hot coffee. 

To Sum Up

Using instant coffee for coffee brewing is about convenience. On a lazy day or late morning, you can fix your cup of coffee fast. 

To buy the best tasting instant coffee, go for brands that use the freeze-drying method. This method maintains the aroma and flavor of the coffee.

Regular coffee has more caffeine than instant coffee. If you’re not after the aromatic quality of coffee, you can consider instant coffee. 

It is more affordable than regular coffee and convenient to brew. To make coffee, you need hot water and instant coffee. You will have your coffee ready within seconds.