Calling all coffee lovers! Are you looking for the best instant espresso? Instant coffees can be a lifesaver when you’re in a hurry in the morning or want to relax in the afternoon. You’ve probably heard of brands like Starbucks Via, Maxwell House, and Mount Hagen, but there are plenty of other companies that specialize in instant coffees too.
Whether you like your instant coffees hot or cold, strong or light, in prepackaged sticks or jars, there is something for everyone. You’ll be able to enjoy the best brews in a flash!
If you’re looking for a classic roast that tastes just like traditional ground coffee, you’re in luck! Check out these eight instant coffee best choices for the ultimate coffee experience.
View The Best Instant Espresso Below
1. NESCAFÉ Gold Espresso Instant Coffee
Enjoy a smooth and creamy cup of instant coffee with NESCAFÉ Gold Espresso! By far the best overall instant coffee, this espresso features a layer of Crema, which will help you feel more awake without the bitter taste. The Gold blend is NESCAFÉ’s highest quality blend.
Feel free to add an extra boost to any type of regular coffee, or enjoy the espresso on its own. This blend is made from hand-picked Arabica beans and makes for the perfect Americano or a traditional espresso!
Simply add a teaspoon of the coffee to an 8-oz cup of boiling water and enjoy!
Pros:
+ Made from hand-picked Arabica beans
+ Luxurious layer of Crema
+ Smooth taste
+ Add a boost to your regular coffee
+ Great for making Americanos
Why We Liked It – Sometimes, instant coffee can leave a bitter taste in your mouth, but this NESCAFÉ blend with a special layer of Crema ensures that it won’t! It’s the best for making a creamy Americano.
2. Cafe Pilon Instant Espresso Coffee
Cafe Pilon is the master of instant coffee! Ready to be enjoyed hot or cold, this coffee is easy to mix and doesn’t have a bitter taste. You’ll be stocked for weeks on end with this special pack of 12 jars.
Enjoy the rich and full flavor with or without milk or cream, as the coffee is really smooth to the taste on its own. This is the go-to instant coffee for coffee snobs. Not only is this coffee smooth to the taste, but it’s also gentle on your stomach. No more of those uncomfortable coffee stomach aches!
Pros:
+ Pack of 12 jars
+ Enjoy hot or cold
+ Smooth to the taste
+ Easy to mix
+ Gentle on your stomach
Why We Liked It – You won’t have to worry about running out of your favorite instant coffee with this pack of 12 jars from Cafe Pilon! Your mornings will be much easier with this easy to mix blend.
3. Maxpresso Instant Coffee, Espresso
This 3-in-1 instant coffee from Maxpresso makes savoring a cup of coffee easier than ever! This pack of four boxes will keep your pantry stocked for longer, as each box contains ten sticks. Each stick consists of espresso, non-dairy creamer, and sugar, in that order.
You control how much sugar you put into your coffee, thanks to the innovative packaging. If you don’t like any sweetness, hold onto the end of the stick as you pour it into your mug to keep the sugar inside. You can also enjoy it with ice in the warmer months, as it’s comparable to Starbucks Via iced coffee blend!
Pros:
+ Pack of 4 boxes with 10 sticks of coffee in each box
+ Innovative packing
+ Sticks include espresso, non-dairy creamer, and sugar
+ Enjoy hot or cold
+ Similar to Starbucks Via iced coffee
Why We Liked It – You choose exactly how much non-dairy creamer and sugar you put in your cup! Thanks to the ingenious 3-in-1 packaging, this instant coffee is truly made for on the go enjoyment.
4. Café Bustelo Espresso Style Instant Coffee
Café Bustelo is the best pantry staple for any instant coffee lover. You have the freedom to choose how strong to make your cup, thanks to the convenient glass jar packaging!
Add to a cup of hot water for a delicious morning wake up, or add a teaspoon to ice cream for a creamy and cold treat that will also provide a little boost! Café Bustelo boats a smooth and non-acidic taste and smell.
Once you start using this instant coffee, you’ll never want to go back to making regular coffee in a coffee maker!
Pros:
+ Glass jar packaging
+ Choose the strength
+ Smooth taste
+ Non-acidic
+ No bitter aftertaste
Why We Liked It – Enjoy the freedom of choosing the strength of your instant coffee with the convenient glass jar packing from Café Bustelo! You’ll never have to worry about your coffee being too strong again.
5. Medaglia D’Oro Instant Espresso Coffee
Italian coffee is praised for its intense and powerful flavor, delicious aromas, and exquisite brews. You’ll find all of that and more in this Medaglia D’Oro instant coffee blend made from imported Italian espresso coffee!
Fill your cupboards with this pack of 12 jars, and you’ll be stocked for all of your instant coffee needs. Simply add a scoop or more to boiling hot water, and you’ll be ready to enjoy your brew!
Medaglia D’Oro is double brewed to provide a traditional espresso flavor and aroma. Sit back, close your eyes, and imagine you’re sipping a coffee in Italy!
Pros:
+ Pack of 12 jars
+ Made from Italian espresso
+ Double roaste
+ Intense coffee flavor
+ Delicious aroma and flavor
Why We Liked It – Thanks to this special blend of double roasted Italian espresso coffee, you can enjoy the deliciously powerful taste of the best instant coffee from Italy in the comfort of your home!
6. Ferrara Instant Espresso Coffee
This instant coffee from Ferrara is the perfect addition for all of your Italian baking and coffee drinking needs. This pack of three jars is great to have on hand to make a speedy cup of espresso.
Enjoy the rich flavors from some of the best coffee beans from around the world. The blend is made from coffee beans from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico. This instant coffee is great for hot coffee or iced.
You can use this instant coffee to make delicious coffeecakes or simply enjoy an easy to make a cup of espresso on the go!
Pros:
+ Glass jar packaging
+ Pack of three jars
+ Blend of beans from South America
+ Tastes like regular coffee
+ Great for baking
Why We Liked It – Instant coffee can make a great addition to your yummy baked goods! Add a teaspoon or two to your next coffeecake for an extra boost of flavor, and you’ll be glad you did!
7. Cafe Tastle Platinum Espresso Freeze Dried Instant Coffee
Freeze-dried coffee is an excellent way to ensure your instant coffee dissolves evenly every time! Cafe Tasle has bottled up the bold espresso flavor in their excellent freeze-dried blend. One jar can make up to 108 cups!
This Platinum Blend is made using only the best coffee beans that have been traditionally dried and roasted. The blend will also make sure your instant coffee is smooth and not bitter. It’s comparable to Mount Hagen’s freeze-dried blend.
Enjoy the flavor of traditional coffee without the inconvenience of a regular coffee maker. Simply add one teaspoon to a mug of hot water and enjoy with or without milk and sugar!
Pros:
+ Freeze-dried blend
+ One jar makes up to 108 cups
+ Made from traditionally roasted beans
+ Similar to Mount Hagen organic coffee
+ Rich espresso flavor
Why We Liked It – Say goodbye to pesky chunks of instant coffee floating around in your cup with this innovative freeze-dried blend. Plus, freeze-dried does not mean that this coffee lacks a bold and rich flavor!
8. Nescafe Espresso 100% Arabica
This pack of 3 jars of instant coffee from Nescafe will make your mornings easier than ever. You choose the strength thanks to the convenience of the jar packaging. This is perfect for those of you who want to decide exactly how your instant coffee tastes. Experiment with the dosage to determine what works for you!
This instant coffee is made from 100% Arabica espresso coffee beans, so you know you’re drinking a quality blend. There is also a touch of Crema, which will give you the creamy and frothy look you all know and love. Coffee snobs will rejoice over this Arabica brew!
Pros:
+ A pack of 3 jars
+ 100% Arabica beans
+ Touch of Crema for a smooth taste
+ Frothy like regular espresso
+ Choose the strength
Why We Liked It – If you love high-quality instant coffee, you’re going to love this blend! The touch of Crema will give you that frothy look that you’re sure to love with traditional espresso.
Instant Espresso Buyer’s Guide
If you like a dark roast or classic roast ground coffee but don’t want the hassle of setting up and then cleaning a coffee maker, instant coffee should become your go-to!
Instant coffee emerged back in the American Civil War as a way to provide coffee to soldiers out on the field. But, the mixture was so hard to drink that the original formula didn’t last long.
Coffee giants like Maxwell House revolutionized the coffee game during the 1940s with their coffee instant idea, and this time it was a hit with the troops. Maxwell House continued to produce its instant coffee after the war was through, and it soon became a staple in American households.
Now that you know the brief history of instant coffee let’s move on to some frequently asked questions!
Is instant espresso good?
All of the coffee on our list above is delicious! Instant coffee is especially good for those who like a dark roast, as it can be made strong.
Is instant espresso the same as instant coffee?
Espresso powder is stronger than instant coffee. It contains a higher amount of caffeine and boasts a stronger taste.
Why does instant coffee taste bad?
Your instant coffee can taste bad if you don’t use the correct dosage. You could be adding too much or too little. Experiment with the amount of coffee you use to determine what you like!
How bad is instant coffee for you?
Overall, instant coffee has the same health benefits and risks as a traditional coffee. The difference is a chemical called acrylamide that can occur when coffee beans are roasted. You should limit your instant coffee consumption in the same way that you limit your traditional coffee consumption. Too much of a good thing is never good!
Conclusion
Instant coffee is a great solution for those of you who don’t have a lot of time to spare in the mornings. Believe us; we’ve all been there! Forget about the hassle of the traditional way to brew coffee, and invest in the best instant coffee.
Some options even come in convenient sticks so that you don’t have to worry about the dosage. If you like to choose your own strength, opt for a coffee that comes in a jar.
If you like baking, you can also add instant coffee to your favorite treats to give them a boost of flavor. You can use instant coffee in several desserts. What’s better than a coffeecake with actual coffee inside?
All you need to enjoy the freedom of instant coffee is a mug and boiling water. Let it cool and add ice if you like an iced beverage. Waking up in the morning has never been this easy!