In this article, we will review the 15 Best Instant Coffees of 2024. You can skip our discussion of the coffee industry and see the Top 5 Instant Coffees of 2024 here.
An Economic Commodity
Coffee is a globally consumed beverage, known for its distinct bitter taste. It’s a great antioxidant for improving metabolism and blood sugar regulation. Most people use it for its caffeine content, which enhances mental alertness and energy levels. However, some people like to drink their coffee decaffeinated as well. Generally, consuming 3 to 4 cups of hot or cold coffee is considered safe and healthy. Excess consumption can cause issues like anxiety, insomnia, and increased heart rate.
Coffee is not just a popular cultural beverage but an economic commodity. As of 2024, Finland consumes the highest levels of coffee, going at 12 kilograms per capita annually. According to Etonomics, over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide daily. This comes from more than 2.25 billion kilograms of global annual coffee production by millions of farmers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. 90% of this happens in developing countries of South America. Over 100 million people are employed in the coffee industry at the growth stage.
Brazil’s Geographic Advantage
Many developing countries have successfully improved their economies through the coffee industry. Brazil is a great example. In 2009 and 2011, it was the largest producer of unroasted coffee beans, with 2.7 million metric tons produced in a year. It’s still the largest producer of coffee in 2024, responsible for 40% of the world’s production. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the success of coffee plantations in Brazil led to a surplus of income for the economy.
If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you must know the difference between Arabica and Robusta beans. Arabica beans are larger, oval, and darker. Robusta beans are smaller, round, and paler.
Arabica beans are considered higher quality, expensive beans with a superior, sweeter taste because they’re not as easy to grow as Robusta beans. The latter is easier to cultivate, has twice as much caffeine content, and is cheaper, but at the cost of a harsher, bitter taste.
This is because Arabica requires high altitudes of around 600 to 2000 meters, with consistently cool temperatures of 15 to 25°C and high humidity to grow properly. Robusta can be cultivated at lower altitudes of 300 to 800 meters, tolerate warmer temperatures up to 26°C, and is much more pest-resistant.
Brazil not only produces most of the world’s coffee but is also geographically favored to produce Arabica. Brazil, along with Vietnam and Columbia, is placed near the earth’s equator, which has the right altitude, stable temperatures, and abundant seasonal rainfall conditions to grow superior coffee beans. Brazil’s mountainous regions of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Espírito meet these conditions perfectly.
The Coffee Market
Since 70% of the world’s coffee supply comes from Brazil, Vietnam, and Columbia, the price of coffee is very volatile. Many unforeseen circumstances can disrupt the supply of coffee, especially at the growth stage. For instance, Etonomics reported that a devastating frost in Brazil in 1975 – characterized by snow in the city of Paraña, which very rarely happened – wiped out over 1.5 billion coffee trees. This caused a global coffee shortage and soaring prices. This happened again in 2022, with another frost nearly doubling coffee costs within a year.
The example of Brazil suggests that climate change has a lot to do with coffee growth. Small changes in weather patterns, temperature, and rainfall can have a big impact on production, and impact the global coffee supply.
As coffee supply becomes more unpredictable, prices also become more volatile. In the past few years, the prices have been hitting record highs.
In April, Forbes reported that Shawn Hackett – in the Hackett Money Flow Commodities Report – said that coffee prices are going to be higher than ever. Today’s price is $2.29 per pound. This is much higher than the $3.11 price in 1977. Hackett thinks prices will go even higher than the record high of 1977.
In May, Bloomberg reported that the prices of robusta coffee beans had surged. In the past year, prices jumped by about 50%. In the last week of May, they increased by 7%, the highest jump since 2010.
Robusta beans are mainly grown in Vietnam. The country has been dealing with severe droughts, hurting coffee harvests. Poor rainfall in the region has further fed the unstable dynamic caused by climate change. Farmers have started harvesting other plants, mainly durian, at the cost of coffee.
While price volatility for coffee barely ever happens because of demand changes, the demand for coffee has increased globally. Markets in North America and Europe have expanded further and places that primarily drink tea, like China, have seen increases of 10% per year in supply. In June, GourmetPro reported that the global coffee market is valued at $132.1 billion and is expected to reach $166.4 billion by 2029, registering a compound annual growth rate of 4.72%.
Commodity or Specialty?
Before going out into the market looking for coffee, it’s important to distinguish between commodity and specialty coffee.
Specialty coffee is typically luxurious. This is the coffee you find in coffee shops. These coffee franchises are looking to fulfill their customers’ needs by providing a wide range of high-quality coffee. Naturally, it’s sold in lesser quantities and is harder to produce.
Commodity coffee is cheap and is often sold in bulk. You will find this at your nearest grocery store. Any two boxes of commodity coffee with similar quality are priced the same. The cost of consuming commodities over specialty is that it’s hard to find too many distinct varieties in flavors. Instant coffee is one instance of this.
Ease of Consuming Instant Coffee
Coffee can be prepared in many ways, including espresso, French press, and drip brewing. Essentially, all preparation methods involve grinding the roasted beans and then steeping them in hot water to allow flavors to extract just the right amount. Additions include sugar, milk, and cream but they’re secondary ingredients.
Instant coffee is a dried form of coffee. It’s made by brewing regular coffee, then removing the water, and leaving behind a concentrated powder. This powder, known as instant coffee, is turned back into a drink by adding hot water. The taste of this preserved form of coffee is slightly different from freshly brewed coffee but is much more convenient to make.
Brewing coffee requires proper equipment. On the contrary, for instant coffee, all you have to do is add hot water to it and you’ll have yourself a cup of coffee. Unlike green or roasted beans, or even ground coffee – which can be both commodity or specialty – instant coffee is only a commodity. This is why it’s also cheaper than other coffee options.
Instant coffee accounts for about 25% of the coffee consumed globally and is expected to rise, particularly in markets outside the United States, where instant coffee remains a staple choice for many consumers.
A Swiss-based food giant, Nestlé, is the largest instant coffee company globally. Their brand, Nescafé, is synonymous with instant coffee worldwide. According to CNBC, Nescafé had annual sales of $11.6 billion by December 2023. The company sells in 188 countries and has over 2000 brands of coffee, cereals, water, dairy, drinks, and sweets, among others.
Nestlé serves as the world’s largest coffee buyer and owns some of the most iconic coffee brands including Nescafé and Nespresso. About 3 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide daily and 1 in 7 cups is a Nescafé. This translates to over 6,100 cups of Nescafé every second. The company works with over 100,000 farmers, and two dozen factories, and buys more than 13 million bags of green coffee annually.
The company’s powdered and liquid beverages category is its largest segment. Coffee-related sales – including soluble coffee and coffee systems – witnessed high single-digit growth in 2023 with positive sales developments.
In the past 5 years, revenue of the company’s coffee business has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The powdered and liquid beverages category recorded CHF 24.8 billion ($29 billion) in sales while coffee accounted for 67.2% of the total sales. Overall, the company had CHF 93.0 billion ($109 billion) in group sales with organic growth of 7.2%.
Nestlé has also managed to capture markets outside of North America and Europe, introducing coffee to 10 million Indian households in 2023, a country where tea is the staple beverage. You can also take a look at the 7 Best Coffee Stocks to Buy Now.
15 Best Instant Coffees of 2024
Our Methodology
To compile our list, we first searched through different internet lists and Reddit threads on the best instant coffees for consensus. We then used reviews and ratings from Walmart and Amazon to form an opinion. We used the number of reviews as our primary determinant and then made a final call based on the rating of the product. We have only included coffees with at least 500 reviews and a rating of at least 4 out of 5. The best instant coffees of 2024 are listed in ascending order of the number of reviews.
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15 Best Instant Coffees of 2024
15. Colcafe Classic Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 535
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Colcafé is a Colombian coffee brand that exclusively produces instant coffee. It is recognized for its coffee quality, using 100% Colombian coffee beans. They’re carefully selected and processed to maintain their flavor and aroma. Colcafé aims to preserve the Colombian coffee culture in the form of convenient instant coffee.
Colcafé Classic Instant Coffee is a popular product from the brand. You can simply add it in hot water to enjoy a rich, flavorful cup of coffee in seconds. It is made from 100% soluble Colombian coffee, ensuring a smooth and balanced taste of quality.
Colcafé offers various other instant coffee products as well. Some of these include decaffeinated instant coffee, 3-in-1 instant coffee with a mix of coffee, non-dairy cream, and sugar, instant coffee with Milk, Cappuccino, and even flavored options like vanilla and caramel.
14. Café Bustelo Espresso Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 675
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Café Bustelo is a coffee brand founded in 1928 in New York City, US, by Gregorio Bustelo, a Cuban immigrant. The brand is recognized for its rich and strong coffee blends that reflect Latin American coffee culture. Café Bustelo has gained popularity mainly for its espresso-style coffee.
The company offers both instant and ground coffee options, emphasizing convenience. Therefore, Café Bustelo offers an Espresso Instant Coffee that captures the taste of its classic espresso without the need for brewing. This product is designed for those who want a quick and flavorful coffee experience. The instant espresso maintains the bold flavor of a regular espresso.
This instant coffee also comes in a decaffeinated option and a Mexico-style variant, for diverse customers. Café Bustelo has a selection of other instant coffee flavors as well. Such as Espresso Style Dark Roast Instant Coffee, an even bolder variant.
It also offers ground coffee products like Café Bustelo Ground Coffee and Café Bustelo Whole Bean Coffee for consumers who enjoy brewing their coffee.
13. Douwe Egberts Pure Gold Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 731
Rating: 4.4 / 5
Douwe Egberts is a Dutch coffee brand founded in 1753 by Egbert Douwes in the Netherlands. The company started as a small grocery store and then expanded into a major coffee roaster and distributor. Douwe Egberts has a strong market in Europe and is known for its commitment to quality, offering a wide range of coffee products, including ground coffee, coffee pods, and instant coffee.
Douwe Egberts Pure Gold Instant Coffee is a premium instant coffee product that aims to deliver a rich and satisfying coffee experience with ease and convenience. It is made from a blend of high-quality medium-roast coffee beans, with a smooth taste and pleasant aroma. The coffee is freeze-dried to preserve this flavor and aroma, ensuring that each cup delivers quality.
The brand offers a selection of other instant coffee products such as Pure Gold Decaffeinated Instant Coffee, and Pure Gold Instant Coffee Sticks.
12. Juan Valdez Instant Coffee, Classic Freeze Dried
Number of Reviews: 794
Rating: 4.7 / 5
Juan Valdez is a Colombian coffee brand created in 1981 by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia to promote Colombian coffee globally. The company focuses on promoting the unique characteristics of Colombian coffee, such as its aroma, flavor, and the sustainable practices of its growers.
Juan Valdez offers a Classic Freeze Dried Instant Coffee that delivers the taste and aroma of freshly roasted, ground Colombian coffee effortlessly. It is made from 100% Colombian Arabica beans, so has a bold, genuine taste with a rich aroma.
Juan Valdez has a special freeze-drying process, different from other instant coffee production methods. This process dehydrates the coffee at low temperatures, preserving its components, flavor, and aroma. Then all you have to do is add hot water to it and stir.
The brand also offers a variety of other instant coffee flavors, like Hazelnut, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Chocolate, and the sweeter Dulce De Leche Instant Coffee, as well as Decaffeinated Instant Coffee.
11. Maxwell House The Original Roast Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 822
Rating: 4.4 / 5
Maxwell House is a coffee brand that originated in the United States in 1892. It was named after the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, where the coffee was first served. Maxwell House is known for its rich flavor and consistent quality. It offers a wide range of coffee products, including ground coffee, coffee pods, and instant coffee.
Maxwell House The Original Roast Instant Coffee is a popular product of the brand that aims to deliver a classic coffee experience for instant coffee consumers. This instant coffee is custom-roasted to achieve a smooth, rich flavor, like the classic taste of the original roast.
Other available instant coffee flavors include French Vanilla, Hazelnut, Caramel Macchiato, and Decaffeinated Instant Coffee.
10. Alpine Start Instant Coffee Medium Roast Original Blend
Number of Reviews: 1,274
Rating: 4.1 / 5
Alpine Start is a coffee brand founded by Matt Segal, a professional climber, who wanted to create a high-quality instant coffee that could be easily prepared outdoors. The company focuses on providing premium instant coffee made from 100% Colombian Arabica beans. Alpine Start aims to deliver a coffee experience that matches the traditional brewed coffee.
Alpine Start Instant Coffee Medium Roast Original Blend is designed to offer a rich and flavorful coffee experience conveniently to cater to busy lifestyles. This medium roast coffee is made from high-altitude Colombian Arabica beans, providing a bold flavor with subtle notes of dark chocolate. It is also non-GMO (not produced through genetic engineering) and dairy-free, so is suitable for various dietary preferences.
It offers a variety of instant coffee flavors, like the Coconut Creamer Latte and the Dirty Chai Latte. It also offers whole-bean coffee, sourced from Colombian Arabica beans, for consumers who enjoy freshly brewed traditional coffee.
9. Four Sigmatic Think Organic Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 1,480
Rating: 4.6 / 5
Four Sigmatic is a US-based company that specializes in foods and plants that are healthy – essentially special kinds of mushrooms, some herbs, and other forms of superfoods. The company wants people to benefit from these natural ingredients by making them accessible and convenient for modern consumers. Four Sigmatic offers many products, including mushroom coffee, elixirs, and supplements for health and well-being.
Four Sigmatic Think Organic Instant Coffee is an instant coffee blend that combines organic coffee with the benefits of lion’s mane and Chaga mushrooms. It’s designed for enhanced mental focus and energy while maintaining a delicious coffee flavor. It is made from 100% organic Arabica beans, ensuring quality and purity.
The addition of lion’s mane and Chaga mushrooms provides a natural energy boost and supports cognitive function. Despite the inclusion of other ingredients, the coffee maintains a smooth flavor for coffee enthusiasts.
Four Sigmatic primarily also offers Original Instant Coffee, a straightforward blend of high-quality coffee. It also has flavored options with its Vanilla and Mocha Instant Coffee. It also has whole-bean coffee and ground coffee products for freshly brewed coffee.
8. Starbucks Instant Blonde Roast
Number of Reviews: 1,992
Rating: 4.6 / 5
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) is an American chain of coffee houses. It started from a single store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1971 as a retailer of whole-bean coffee and is now a premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee globally. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) offers a wide range of products including coffee, handcrafted beverages, fresh food, and consumer products.
The company also produces instant coffee for consumers who prefer convenience over specialty. Starbucks Instant Blonde Roast is a premium instant coffee option that delivers the light and crisp flavor of a blonde roast. It has a mellow and bright taste, with caramel notes. It’s made from 100% Arabica beans for quality and smooth flavor.
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) offers many other distinguished coffee flavors, like the Veranda Blend, and the Caramel Flavored Instant Coffee. The same flavors also have non-instant coffee options.
7. Waka Premium Instant Coffee Medium Roast
Number of Reviews: 2,101
Rating: 4.1 / 5
Waka Coffee is a coffee brand that specializes in premium instant coffee. Waka sources its coffee beans from various regions, including Colombia, and uses 100% Arabica beans in its products. The brand is committed to sustainability and highlights eco-friendly practices.
Waka Premium Instant Coffee Medium Roast is designed to deliver a rich and satisfying coffee experience in an instant coffee option. This medium-roast coffee provides a balanced and smooth taste coming from its use of 100% Arabica coffee beans sourced from Colombia.
Waka Coffee offers a variety of other instant coffee flavors such as Dark Chocolate Flavored, Butterscotch Flavored, and Pumpkin Spice, and also has Light Roast and Dark Roast instant coffee available.
6. Starbucks VIA Colombia Roast, Medium Roast Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 2,138
Rating: 4.6 / 5
When Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) first emerged, the coffee market was dominated by commodity coffee. The focus was on mass production, affordability, and consistent taste. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) also jumped on the bandwagon, only to later transition to specialty coffee. The company wanted to elevate coffee consumption from a simple beverage to a more refined experience.
Yet, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) remains a popular choice for instant coffee. Starbucks VIA Colombia Roast is a medium roast instant coffee that delivers the signature taste of the brand. This instant coffee has a smooth, balanced, and rich flavor profile of a medium roast, with subtle nutty notes. The coffee beans are 100% Arabica beans sourced from Colombia
Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) offers many instant coffee variants like Pike Place Roast, French Roast, and Italian Roast. The same blends also come in non-instant coffee variants.
5. TRUNG NGUYEN G7 3-in-1 Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 2,228
Rating: 4.6 / 5
TRUNG NGUYEN Group is a leading Vietnamese coffee corporation founded in 1996 and has now six member companies and over 2,000 coffee shops worldwide. It is known for its diverse range of coffee products, including the G7 Instant Coffee brand, which is exported to over 100 countries. The G7 brand combines the ease of instant coffee with traditional coffee flavors from Vietnam.
TRUNG NGUYEN G7 3-in-1 Instant Coffee is its most popular, and flavorful instant coffee option that combines coffee, non-dairy creamer, and sugar in a single serving. It uses a blend of coffee beans from regions like Jamaica, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Vietnam’s Buon Ma Thuot province, resulting in a rich and aromatic taste.
The G7 brand has many other instant coffee variants, like the G7 Pure Black, G7 Espresso, and G7 Cappuccino Instant Coffee. The brand also offers high-quality whole-bean, and ground coffee options for different consumers.
4. Nescafé Taster’s Choice House Blend
Number of Reviews: 2,325
Rating: 4.7 / 5
Nescafé is a global coffee brand owned by Nestlé S.A. (OTC:NSRGY), first introduced in 1938. The brand is one of the world’s best-selling coffee brands, known for its instant coffee products Nescafé sources coffee beans from various regions, including Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam. The brand offers many coffee products, including instant coffee, coffee mixes, and other ready-to-drink beverages.
Nescafé Taster’s Choice House Blend is a popular instant coffee option that combines convenience with a smooth, well-balanced flavor. This coffee is lightly roasted, for a refined and smooth taste that is mild yet flavorful. It is made from a 100% pure coffee blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. It is also kosher certified.
Other instant coffee options by Nescafé include Nescafé Taster’s Choice Colombian, Nescafé Taster’s Choice French Roast, Nescafé Taster’s Choice Hazelnut, and Nescafé Taster’s Choice Vanilla. Nescafé also offers many non-instant coffee options for consumers who want to brew their coffee.
3. Maxim Mocha Gold Mild Coffee
Number of Reviews: 5,475
Rating: 4.7 / 5
Maxim is a brand under Dong Suh Foods, a South Korean company that specializes in instant coffee and coffee mixes. Founded in 1976, it’s a leader in the coffee industry in South Korea, catering to both domestic and international markets. The brand’s products are popular for their convenience and quality.
Maxim Mocha Gold Mild Coffee is a popular instant coffee mix that includes coffee, non-dairy creamer, and sugar, designed for those who enjoy a sweet and creamy cup of coffee. This coffee mix features a blend of smooth coffee and rich mocha flavor for a delightful taste. It is sourced from high-quality beans and is roasted to ensure a rich flavor.
There are other instant coffee options by the brand as well including Maxim Mocha White Gold Mild Coffee Mix, and Maxim Mocha Gold Coffee Mix.
2. Mount Hagen Organic Freeze Dried Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 5,698
Rating: 4.6 / 5
Mount Hagen is a coffee brand under the Mount Hagen Group. Founded in 1986, the company is named after the Mount Hagen region in Papua New Guinea, where its coffee is sourced. Mount Hagen is recognized for organic instant coffee, being the first company to achieve organic certification for its instant coffee products. The brand emphasizes sustainability, ethical sourcing, and the use of 100% Arabica beans.
Mount Hagen Organic Freeze Dried Instant Coffee is a premium instant coffee option made from medium roast Arabica beans, resulting in a smooth, bold taste. The advanced freeze-drying method preserves the coffee’s natural flavors and aromas, ensuring quality that rivals freshly brewed coffee. Mount Hagen’s coffee is USDA Organic, Fair Trade certified, gluten-free, and kosher, ensuring high standards of quality and ethical sourcing.
The brand has other instant coffee variants such as Organic Decaf Freeze Dried Instant Coffee and Organic Espresso Instant Coffee. It also offers whole-bean and ground coffee traditional brewing.
1. Nescafé Clasico Dark Roast Instant Coffee
Number of Reviews: 6,348
Rating: 4.7 / 5
Nescafé is known for its wide variety of coffee products designed for diverse consumer preferences. Most of the brand’s popularity comes from instant coffee products. Nescafé emphasizes quality by sourcing coffee beans from various regions, including Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam.
Nescafé Clasico Dark Roast Instant Coffee is a premium instant coffee option that offers a rich and bold flavor. This dark roast coffee delivers an intense flavor from a blend of high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans. The careful roasting process enhances its rich aroma and bold taste.
Nescafé offers a wide range of instant coffee options. Some of the variants include Nescafé Clasico Dark Roast, Medium Roast, Brazil, and Decaf. There’s also the Nescafé Gold Original, Gold Espresso, 3-in-1 Original, and Sweet & Creamy. If you enjoy brewing coffee yourself, Nescafé has you covered with Gold Ground Coffee, Gold Whole-Bean Coffee, Espresso Capsules, and Dolce Gusto coffee pods.
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