TOP 10 best instant coffee: types, how to choose, reviews

Types of instant coffee

An instant drink is a dried extract of Arabica or Robusta beans in the form of fine powder or granules. It is easily brewed in boiling water, very tasty and aromatic, and has tonic properties.

Before the drink reaches the consumer’s table, it goes through several stages of processing:

• preparation of raw materials, sorting and roasting;
• extraction - obtaining an extract by boiling grains in softened water;
• evaporation of the extract.

Such a natural drink should contain exclusively coffee extract without additional impurities. To enhance the aroma and taste, dyes, oils, and stabilizers are added.

Instant coffee has 3 types:

• powder;
• granulated - at the final stage of production it is moistened, and under the influence of moisture small grains stick together into granules;
• freeze-dried - method of freezing and vacuum drying.

The best brands of manufacturers

Coffee is the most frequently produced commodity around the world. The best brands of coffee drink occupy leading positions in the world market. They are known for their recipe, quality workmanship and natural composition. For production, only the best varieties of grains are used, they are mixed in various variations so that the consumer can choose the right drink for himself. There are well-known brands that many coffee lovers know and love.

Their list includes such European brands as Bushido, Grandos, Maxwell, UCC, Carte Noire, Egoiste Special. However, domestic manufacturers also do not lag behind their colleagues. The best producers of the coffee drink in Russia are “Moscow Coffee House on Shares” and “Indian Gold Exclusive”, which ranks sixth in the ranking of world coffee producers.

Best instant coffee powder

Today, this type of coffee is in great demand, as it is easy to prepare and also very tasty. The TOP of the best powdered instant coffee includes the following brands:

Veronese Americano

This brand of coffee is made from a mixture of Arabica and Robusta varieties. It brews easily, has a pleasant taste and aroma, tones and awakens well. The manufacturer took care of the packaging design, making it compact, practical and stylish. Coffee can be purchased in different volumes and variations. Lovers of a delicate and light drink can buy a product with the addition of powdered milk or cream.

pros

• pleasant taste;
• no bitterness;
• interesting packaging;
• fragrant;
• quality raw materials.

Minuses

• difficult to find in retail outlets;
• consistency.

Review: “We were recommended a new coffee at work, so I decided to try it. The price is affordable, so I didn’t expect any exquisite taste and aroma, and I was very mistaken. The product is good and tasty, not bitter, invigorating. I drink several cups of coffee a day and am very satisfied.”

Moskofe Moscow

The coffee has a pleasant taste and aroma and contains no additives. The seasoned and modern packaging design is reminiscent of the times when the drink was at its peak. When brewing, it forms a small foam, without sediment. It has a pronounced taste and aroma, dark brown color. Produced from selected robusta varieties and meets all international quality standards.

pros

• convenient jar;
• pleasant aroma;
• ultra-fine grinding;
• no sediment forms;
• rich strong taste.

Minuses

• sour taste;
• dark when brewed.

Review: “I bought a jar of instant coffee. I was very attracted to the packaging design. The taste is also good, pleasant smell. My husband really liked it and can drink coffee several times a day.”

Grand Classic

The Russian brand has gained popularity among domestic consumers. The instant powder is made from lightly roasted beans that have a mild aroma, a light, pleasant bitterness and a dense, dark brown texture. This brand represents a whole series of invigorating drinks that are made from environmentally friendly raw materials. The brand ranks 4th according to expert estimates in the instant coffee segment.

pros

• economical packaging;
• affordable price;
• ease of preparation;
• design;
• natural ingredients.

Minuses

• too strong;
• weak aroma.

Review: “I saw coffee on sale and decided to try it. I'm not a big fan of strong coffee, so I always add cream. I really liked the product in combination with milk. I like the delicate milky taste and aroma.”

The best granulated instant coffee

According to the production technology, granulated coffee differs from powdered coffee in that under high pressure the powder is knocked into lumps, forming granules. It has a significant advantage - it does not stick to the spoon, so it is convenient to use.

The ranking of the best producers of granulated coffee includes the following brands:

Nescafe Classic

The drink is made from selected robusta beans grown on tropical plantations in Brazil. Coffee has a strong, bitter taste and strong aroma. He managed to gain popular popularity. Prepares quickly, no sediment forms. You just need to pour a couple of spoons of coffee, add cream if desired, and the drink is ready.

pros

• no sediment;
• easy to brew;
• invigorates;
• convenient packaging;
• large volume.

Minuses

• bitter;
• not concentrated.

Review: “For the price, the product is very good. The granules do not stick to a spoon, dissolve quickly in water, the taste is good, but slightly bitter, you can add milk. Overall, I’m happy with the choice.”

Maxwell House

Made from 100% deep roast Arabica beans. The tart drink has a slight sourness, so it is recommended to drink it in the first half of the day. The coffee is moderately strong, but with a pronounced sweetness, which is felt due to the addition of coconut milk and milk protein. After rebranding, the company enhanced the taste of the coffee, making it stronger and richer. The product is sold in sealed jars and can also be found in soft bags with a valve.

pros

• strong;
• rich taste;
• fragrant;
• economical consumption;
• convenient container.

Minuses

• burnt;
• difficult to find on sale.

Review: “A friend brought it as a present. Very tasty coffee, with the aroma of natural beans. Both me and my husband like it. I prefer softer coffee, so I add cream to it, my husband likes it stronger. If possible, we will buy another jar.”

Veronese Turkish

The Russian coffee brand makes its products from Arabica and Robusta beans brought from Costa Rica, Brazil, and Colombia. This brand has a pronounced strong taste with slight notes of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. It contains only natural ingredients. The manufacturer has created different packaging options for the product - in cans, glass, sticks and soft packs.

pros

• modern design;
• practical packaging;
• small granules;
• easily dissolves in water;
• not bitter.

Minuses

• weak aroma;
• overcharge.

Review: “The coffee is very tasty, with a nutty flavor, but it seems to me that it’s not for everyone. The price is too high, the packaging is used up quickly. Sometimes you can treat yourself, but I don’t take it for daily use, it gets boring quickly.”

How to choose good instant coffee

In order not to be disappointed in the product, you should adhere to the following rules:

• always carefully read the information on the label - the inscriptions should be clear and not blurry, the barcode should correspond to the country of origin;
• make sure that the packaging is intact and undamaged;
• pay attention to the release and storage dates to avoid purchasing an expired product;
• disposable 3-in-1 bags are a surrogate, we are not talking about quality here at all - avoid such purchases;
• coffee made from Arabica tastes better than from Robusta, but contains significantly less caffeine;
• if the smell of the drink resembles bread or muffin, it means it contains barley grains - it’s better not to buy this kind of coffee again;
• the smell of burnt cork indicates that the manufacturer is over-roasting the beans;
• good coffee should completely dissolve in water without forming sediment, not only in hot water (in 30 seconds), but also in cold water (in three minutes).

Now you know how to choose coffee.

The best freeze-dried instant coffee

Freeze-dried coffee is produced using rapid moisture loss technology. It has a positive effect on the immune system, digestion, and muscle tone. It is believed that this type of coffee is practically harmless, therefore it can be consumed even by those who have health restrictions.

The ranking of the best freeze-dried drink manufacturers includes the following brands:

Egoiste Special

A natural whole grain instant product made from premium, medium-roast Arabica beans. It is she who has a rich taste with chocolate notes. Swiss quality and modern In-Fi technology, which involves placing a particle of ground Arabica coffee into the granules, resulting in aromatic and tasty coffee. It will appeal to both avid coffee lovers and less picky lovers of an invigorating drink.

pros

• beautiful packaging design;
• natural ingredients;
• ease of preparation;
• saturated color;
• quality product.

Minuses

• inconvenient lid;
• taste of burnt grains.

Review: “My husband bought coffee for home. Not a big fan, but I decided to try it. Stylish packaging, pleasant aroma, brewed easily and quickly. Overall not bad, but there is a hint of bitterness.”

Today Pure Arabica

The freeze-dried drink is produced using the unique Aroma Optima technology, which is able to preserve the natural taste and rich aroma. The product is created for true gourmets and coffee fans. It is made from Arabica beans, which have a soft, tart taste with a slight sourness. It can give a charge of vigor and freshness for the whole day. There are different variations of the drink, for example, with milky and fruity notes, so every consumer will find something for themselves.

pros

• strong;
• slight sourness;
• affordable price;
• stylish packaging;
• balanced.

Minuses

• high consumption;
• Strong smell.

Review: “I bought a jar of coffee for a trip. In a week it took half a jar. Very tasty and invigorating. I drink it in its natural, classic form, without adding milk. I made the right choice.”

Black Card Gold

European instant coffee is one of the most popular items on the market. This brand includes strong varieties of Robusta with the addition of Arabica. It brews easily, quickly dissolves in boiling water and leaves no sediment. Golden roasting of the beans does not create any noticeable bitterness. On sale you can find the drink in glass and soft packaging, as well as with the addition of milk powder or cream, which will make the taste of the drink more delicate and light.

pros

• large packaging;
• easily dissolves;
• soft taste;
• without additives;
• rich dark color.

Minuses

• inconvenient zip bag;
• unfragrant.

Review: “Ground instant coffee that brews quickly, which is especially good at work. The grains dissolve even in cold water. Various packaging options that allow you to choose any volume and type. The consultants advised me to buy it at a retail outlet.”

Ambassador Platinum

European premium coffee is created specifically for those who value impeccable quality and taste. Balanced taste, sophistication and delicate foam turn every drink into a real pleasure. A special recipe, the use of selected coffee varieties, stylish packaging design and control of the production process have become the hallmark of the company.

pros

• famous brand;
• rich taste;
• does not taste bitter;
• practical packaging;
• small percentage of caffeine.

Minuses

• high consumption;
• a residue remains.

Review: “We bought new coffee for work. Now during my lunch break there is a pleasant aroma of Arabica beans. The coffee is really tasty, has good consistency and color. I bought the same one for home.”

Egoiste Noir

Price 400 rubles.

The well-known German manufacturer, in 2021, ensures maximum production control at all stages of the process, so Egoiste Noir has incredible taste. Arabica beans grown in the vastness of Kenya are used in production; the beans are processed by deep freezing. Egoiste Noir belongs to the premium class, which affects the cost. A glass jar preserves the properties of granules as much as possible - the finished drink is practically no different from a freshly brewed one.

Pros:

• Excellent quality of raw materials.
• 100% Arabica.
• The aroma and taste are identical to natural.
• Dark rich color.
• Noticeable invigorating effect.

Minuses:

• High price.

Tips for choosing

There are 3 types of instant coffee: Arabica, Arabica blend and the most budget option - Robusta beans. When choosing coffee, you should pay attention to the drying technology. The powder method is the cheapest and most accessible, while the sublimated method is optimal and expensive. The composition of a natural product should be free of third-party impurities, which can often be found in sticks. A very dark color of the product indicates overcooked grains, which will become bitter during cooking. The manufacturer must indicate the amount of caffeine on the spread; often it is no more than 3-4% in coffee. A high-quality product is sold in glass jars, a cheaper option is in bags or plastic packaging.

The opinion that the best coffee can only be in beans is a big misconception, because even instant coffee can have a pleasant taste and aroma. Using the tips described above, the consumer will be able to choose a product for any table that will delight them with quality and, of course, taste.

Top 5 instant coffee by quality – according to control purchases of Roskontrol

Having familiarized yourself with the buyer's opinion, it would not hurt to study the verdicts of the independent expert commission of Roskontrol. According to them, a rating of the best freeze-dried coffee presented on the Russian market was compiled.

Jardin "Kenya Kilimanjaro"

Price – 324 rub. per 100 g

Tasty, safe, natural, without foreign inclusions, this coffee successfully passed the test of Roskontrol, without causing the slightest criticism from experts.

The net weight corresponds to that indicated on the packaging, no aflatoxin was found in the composition, or other harmful toxins.

The analysis confirmed that the product was made from natural Arabica coffee beans, as noted on the packaging.

Advantages and disadvantages

safety;

natural composition;

organoleptic qualities;

package.

were not identified by the examination.

Jacobs Monarch

Price – 230 rub. per 100 g

A real favorite of Russians, which has become popular due to its rich, impeccable taste and aroma without the slightest hint of acid and the optimal price-quality ratio. During the examination, no third-party components or harmful impurities were identified in the coffee.

Experts confirmed the natural composition of the product and its full compliance with current state standards. No weight deficiency was identified.

Advantages and disadvantages

organoleptic qualities;

natural composition of the product;

absence of harmful impurities;

high quality packaging.

the manufacturer did not indicate the botanical variety of coffee in the labeling of its own product.