There aren’t A coffee-making method more widely reviled than instant coffee. The name alone conjures up memories of bitter, tart coffee that’s both too lean and too bulky. It’s the domain of motel lobbies, red-eye flights, and 5 a.m. commutes. But it’s also one of the most popular ways to drink coffee.
Be sure to check out our other coffee guides, including the best espresso machines, the best frosty brew coffee makers, the best coffee grinders, the best French presses, and the best electric kettles.
What is “good” instant coffee?
You will always get more depth and range of flavor from a cup of freshly ground and brewed coffee, in the same way that loose leaf tea will be more flavorful than even the most carefully prepared tea bags. However, when testing instant coffees, I wasn’t looking for coffees that replicated the flavor profile of freshly brewed or the drinking experience. This is the trap that coffee lovers fall into when drinking instant coffee. It’s a different medium than freshly brewed coffee – like comparing a watercolor to an oil painting. Everyone has things they do well, but not everyone does the same thing well.
Each of the coffees on this list provided a memorable and enjoyable drinking experience. Well-made instant coffees shed featherlight on fruity flavor notes, tartness, and roasty, hot aromas like cinnamon and caramel. It can be tough to find whole bean coffee that releases such aromas when freshly roasted. Instant coffees that don’t try to be something else, in my experience, taste the best. Those that try too demanding to recreate the experience of freshly baked food turn out to be frail, too astringent and full of unpleasant flavors. They are pale imitations because that’s exactly what they are: imitations.
If you buy something through links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Find out more. Please also consider by subscribing to WIRED
