Tumbled out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen? To pour yourself a cup of ambition?
For all the nine to fivers – whether you’re shooting off to work, tackling the school run or getting prepared to brave a day filled with appointments and meetings – coffee will be your saviour. Before you leave the front door, take a moment to enjoy a homemade brew and you’ll be ready to conquer your day ahead while saving pennies at the same time.
Instant coffee is the simplest and quickest way to make your own barista-style beverages. Simply pour the required amount of granules into your mug as directed on the packaging, stir in boiled water, weaken a little with milk (if desired) and enjoy a deliciously smooth serve with a caffeine boost. It’s a great way to save money when you consider that a coffee shop-bought brew is well over the £2.50 mark these days.
What is instant coffee?
Instant coffee is simply brewed ground coffee beans in either powder or granule form that have been either freeze-dried or spray-dried to preserve the flavour and use-by date. Adding hot water to the coffee and stirring will dissolve it and create a speedy, hassle-free but still delicious cup of Joe.
What are the different types of instant coffee?
- Coffee granules or coffee powder: This is the most common type of instant coffee and you will find either freeze-dried (higher-quality beans, the aroma is preserved and there’s a more dynamic flavour profile) or spray-dried (lower-quality beans, cheaper process, done on a larger scale, clumble texture) to create the brewable granules.
- Coffee bags: This is like a tea bag, but for coffee. A novel way to prepare your coffee and a great option to have on the go with you – simply pop a few in your bag or on your desk and always have your favourite beverage to hand.
How to make the perfect instant coffee
- Choose your favourite mug and boil the kettle (skip the latter if you have a boiling water tap at the ready)
- Add the recommended amount of instant coffee to your mug
- Pour in the boiling water after it’s rested for approx. 30 seconds
- Stir until the coffee is dissolved
- Add in milk or opt for it black
- Drink up!
Best instant coffees at a glance
- Best for everyday pick-me-ups: Illy Clasico Instant Coffee - £4.75, Amazon
- Best for divine richness: Nescafé Azera Americano Instant Coffee - £6, Tesco
- Best for a mess-free brew: Raw Bean Striking El Salvador Coffee Bean Bags - £5.55, Amazon
- Best for hazelnutty goodness: Little’s Rich Hazelnut Flavour Infused Instant Coffee - £24.99, Amazon
- Best for ethical Colombian creation: Presto Colombian Instant Coffee - £15.99, Presto
- Best for a joyful cup of Joe: Clipper Fairtrade Organic Latin American Instant Coffee - £24.84, Amazon
- Best for caramel tones: Beanies Creamy Caramel Flavoured Instant Coffee - £3.77, Amazon
- Best for creating a moment of calm: London Nootropics Starter Pack - £15, London Nootropics
- Best for a slow caffeine release: TrueStart Barista Grade Instant Coffee - £6.99, Amazon
- Best for going caffeine-free: Whole Earth Organic No Caffeine Coffee Alternative - £3.29, Holland and Barrett
Below we’ve rounded up the best instant coffee for your daily caffeine fixShop now
Illy Clasico Instant Coffee
Best for: everyday pick-me-ups
This Italian label has been an expert in the coffee field since the 1930s and almost 100 years later are still delivering authentic blends. Illy has ventured into the world of instant coffees to provide an ultra-convenient answer to coffee lovers with a fast-paced lifestyle.
The Clasico medium roast is made from 100 per cent arabica beans roasted in Italy and offers a deliciously smooth brew with notes of caramel, orange blossom and jasmine. Simply mix with boiling water and enjoy Americano or with a splash of milk.
Buy now £4.75, Amazon
Nescafé Azera Americano Instant Coffee
Best for: divine richness
Look out for the playful, bold prints on the tins of Nescafe’s Azera blend, which is part of a limited-edition collaboration with Skinny Dip London and brings a vibrant twist to your everyday coffee.
Making up to 55 mugs, this soluble coffee gives bang for your buck and creates delicious fruity aromas in your kitchen. Enjoy the warming beverage crafted from a mix of Robusta and Arabica coffee beans and savour the rich taste and velvety smooth texture.
Buy now £6.00, Tesco
Raw Bean Striking El Salvador Coffee Bean Bags
Best for: a mess-free brew
Go mess-free with Raw Bean’s pyramid-shaped coffee bags. Filled with 100 per cent ground Arabica coffee, simply pop in hot water and sip on deliciously rich and fruity flavours with hints of chocolatey sweetness. The eco-friendly bags are plastic free and biodegradable, made from plant-origin PLA. A super convenient option for those always on the go.
Buy now £5.55, Amazon
Little’s Rich Hazelnut Flavour Infused Instant Coffee
Best for: hazelnutty goodness
If you like your flavoured coffees, try Little’s rich hazelnut infusion where 100 per cent Arabica coffee has been rounded off with a nutty roasted taste that is subtle but delightful. There’s no added sugar, it’s only four calories per cup and it’s suitable for those with nut allergies. Pass the kettle!
Price for six jars.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Presto Colombian Instant Coffee
Best for: ethical Colombian creation
There’s no need to compromise on the quality of your morning brew with Presto’s freeze-dried and micro-ground Colombian instant coffee.
High quality with a smooth texture and medium strength, you will get hints of almond and dark chocolate notes while getting your caffeine fix. We love the monochrome tin it comes in too that is guaranteed to look super chic on your kitchen counter.
Buy now £15.99, Presto
Clipper Fairtrade Organic Latin American Instant Coffee
Best for: a joyful cup of Joe
Pour yourself a ‘carnival in a cup’ with Clipper’s organic instant coffee. Smoothly textured with pure ingredients, this toasty blend is full of rich aromatic flavour and joyfully presented in a colourful jar. For a Fairtrade, medium-roast option, make this your go-to for an early morning wake-up or mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Price for six jars.
Buy now £24.84, Amazon
Beanies Creamy Caramel Flavoured Instant Coffee
Best for: caramel tones
A creamy caramel combo, liven up your morning cuppa with Beanie’s flavoursome coffee. Freeze-dried coffee is paired with sweet caramel to create a rich but smooth texture that is deliciously sweet, but not sickly so. Low-calorie and sugar-free, satisfy your sweet tooth without worrying about your waistline. It’s also suitable for those following a vegan diet and is also nut free.
Try out some of the other wacky flavours in the Beanies instant coffee range – from sticky toffee pudding and gingerbread, to birthday cake that need not be reserved for just once a year.
Buy now £3.77, Amazon
London Nootropics Starter Pack
Best for: creating a moment of calm
Order a starter box of London Nootropics and sample three different varieties of micro-ground instant coffee powder that have been blended with natural adaptogens to help balance your body and mind.
The ‘Zen’ barista-style coffee features organic ashwagandha root extract, while the bestselling ‘Flow’ blend combines organic dual-extracted lions mane mushroom extract. This is not your typical cup of Joe and has been designed to make you feel calm and alert. It is also free from preservatives and artificial sweeteners – there’s just pure natural ingredients to give you the boost you are looking for. The starter box includes 12 sachets with four of each blend.
Buy now £15.00, London Nootropics
TrueStart Barista Grade Instant Coffee
Best for: a slow caffeine release
Be your own barista and bring the coffee shop experience to your home with TrueStart’s super smooth and gently roasted 100 per cent Colombian Arabica coffee. The UK-born family business has created a top-notch quality blend, with delicate chocolatey notes and a stable caffeine content so you can say goodbye to any unwanted caffeine jitters or crashes.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
Whole Earth Organic No Caffeine Coffee Alternative
Best for: going caffeine-free
Going caffeine free? Try Whole Earth’s No Caffeine coffee and experience a full-bodied flavoursome alternative, which still tastes like the real deal. Made using Italian barley, figs and ground chicory, this all-natural organic option still boasts a roasted coffee taste, just minus the caffeine. A great substitute.
Buy now £3.29, Holland and Barrett
