Who doesn’t like an instant lift-me-up mug of hot coffee powder drink? But making one from scratch or buying one from coffee shops can be challenging. Coffee powder drinks were created to make life easier yet flavorful.
So if you want a nice mug of hot coffee powder drink but are too lazy to go out and get one, you can create one right at home. We tried some instant coffee powders and picked out the best, so you wouldn’t have to!
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What are Coffee Powder Drinks?
Instant coffee or coffee powder is different from ground coffee beans. People usually look down on coffee powder, but it is a saving grace for those mornings when you just want a quick cuppa.
Instant coffee is made from two different techniques. When buying hot coffee powder drinks, you will come across the traditional type made from brewed coffee and one that is freeze-dried. Coffee powders have a longer shelf life than coffee beans and are much easier to recreate as your favorite drink.
The traditional instant coffee-making method is to brew coffee and then spray it as droplets in hot and dry air. You end up getting small coffee granules that dissolve instantly in hot water.
Freeze-drying isn’t as common as the traditional method but tastes better. In this method, the drink is simply freeze-dried, so you just add hot water and end up with the best coffee ever.
Top 10 Hot Coffee Powder Drinks
Here’s how we have categorized our favorite hot coffee powders for you:
- Best Overall: Verve Coffee Roasters Streetlevel Instant Craft Coffee
- Best Decaf: Mount Hagen Organic Decaffeinated Coffee
- Best Blonde Roast: Starbucks Instant VIA Veranda Blend
- Best Medium Roast: Joe Coffee The Daily
- Best Dark Roast: Nescafe Taster’s Choice French Roast
- Best Flavored: Cusa Tea & Coffee Vanilla Dark Roast
- Best Value: Maxim Mocha Gold Coffee Mix
- Best Mix: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix
- Best Price: Cafe Altura Instant Organic Coffee
- Most Polarizing: Starbucks VIA Instant Colombia Medium Roast Coffee
Best Overall: Verve Coffee Roasters Streetlevel Instant Craft Coffee
Verve Instant Coffee had a surprisingly mild aroma and scent with a touch of malt and roasted paper. The acidity isn’t too much, and it is easily likable. At $2.50 per serving, this hot coffee powder made it to our list due to its rich flavor.
The blend is sourced from Guatemala, Colombia, and Honduras, with fruity and zesty notes. You’ll taste notes of honeycomb, clementine, and red apple. This instant coffee will surely change your mind about powdered coffee.
Best Decaf Instant Coffee: Mount Hagen Organic Decaffeinated Coffee
If you prefer decaf over regular coffee, then Mount Hagen’s Organic Decaffeinated Coffee will be your number one choice. This is the first coffee brand to be certified as organic and Fair Trade. At $3.39/ounce, this decaffeinated blend is made using the freeze-dried method and uses only Arabica beans.
Coffee beans used to create this hot coffee powder are sourced from Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Honduras, giving the drink a very fruity and nutty flavor. Add 2 teaspoons to 6 ounces of water for a perfect mix.
Best Blonde Roast: Starbucks Instant VIA Veranda Blend
Blonde roasted coffee has a higher caffeine content compared to dark roast. This is due to the roasting technique, which involves roasting the coffee beans for a short time so the caffeine doesn’t get burnt out. You’ll find instant coffee and micro coffee granules in this blend easily dissolve in water.
While a cup of Starbucks Instant VIA Veranda Blend costs around $2.14, you will enjoy the mellow and soft notes. Like your perfect drink at the store, this one has a malty yet subtle and bright flavor to kick-start your day.
Best Medium Roast: Joe Coffee The Daily
With hints of chocolate, caramel, and marzipan, Joe Coffee The Daily isn’t your average cup of coffee. This craft coffee is first roasted and then brewed so it can be freeze-dried as concentrated coffee batches. So, the blend is bright and rich yet sweet at the same time.
The chocolate flavor is more pronounced when it is brewed hot. This coffee costs $1.50 per ounce, which is relatively cheaper yet wholesome and something you’ll enjoy sipping on in the mornings.
Best Dark Roast: Nescafe Taster’s Choice French Roast
If you’re searching for a dark roast and strong coffee that isn’t too acidic, then Nescafe Taster’s Choice French Roast is your best option. It dissolves easily, so you don’t have to work hard for your perfect coffee cup. You’ll find slight notes of chocolate that will feel rich in each sip.
Using this blend, your dark-roasted hot coffee powder drink will cost you $2.17 per ounce, suitable for everyday use. With coffee beans from around the world, this blend has smoky overtones that will blow you away.
Best Flavored: Cusa Tea & Coffee Vanilla Dark Roast
This blend combines high-quality Arabica coffee beans with Madagascar vanilla to create this heavenly hot coffee powder drink. This coffee is vacuum dehydrated to ensure the flavor and richness remain intact.
Once the coffee is brewed, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a bakery with the aroma of burnt sugar and caramel. Most importantly, the brand follows organic and regenerative agricultural practices. A simple cup of this blend will cost you about $1.30, which is light on the pocket too.
Best Value: Maxim Mocha Gold Coffee Mix
Want to save time and simply brew a coffee without adding creamer or milk? Maxim Mocha Gold Coffee Mix includes creamer and sugar in the pack. This Korean brand is super cheap, with each pack costing only 26 cents!
It is a little on the sweet side, so you don’t have to use the entire pack. However, if you want a nutty, sweet, and rich coffee to make your mornings sing, this is your answer. Add only a bit of hot water and let it sit before adding the rest for best results.
Best Mix: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix
You might not have heard of coffee mixed with mushrooms, but this Los Angeles-based company is all about health. Don’t worry! You won’t even detect the flavor of the mushrooms. The mushrooms make the drink richer and milder by cutting off the bitter notes.
The ingredients include Arabica coffee beans with Lion’s Mane mushroom extract, Chaga extract, and Rhodiola Root extract. This coffee mix isn’t heavy on the pocket as it costs only $1.4 per cup.
Best Price: Cafe Altura Instant Organic Coffee
If drip coffee is too much hassle, this hot coffee powder drink will change your mind about instant coffee. It’s silky and rich, so you won’t feel any water content. These Fair Trade Arabica beans are sourced from Africa, Asia, and South America. They are rain-washed, sun-dried, and roasted with fire to make the perfect blend.
You’ll detect flavors like spice, nuts, and even chocolate; it is recommended to use it with hot water. As the cheapest on our list, this drink will only cost you $1.56 per ounce!
Most Polarizing: Starbucks VIA Instant Colombia Medium Roast Coffee
If you prefer a strong and bitter coffee to wake you up, this is it! Being the most polarizing drink, it is the most acidic. It has a burnt rubber aroma but smoky notes that will leave you tantalized.
The unique aspect of this flavor is that it gives a very authentic feeling to your coffee. A simple serving of Starbucks VIA Instant Colombia Medium Roast Coffee is priced at $1.25.
Benefits of Coffee Powder Drinks
Rich in antioxidants
Just like coffee, hot coffee powder drinks are also filled with antioxidants. A study shows that instant coffee may be richer in antioxidants than brewed coffee. One cup of instant coffee has only 7 calories and minor amounts of potassium, magnesium, and niacin.
Boosts metabolism
The caffeine content in hot coffee powder drinks is responsible for boosting the metabolism. With a faster metabolism, burning fat in the body becomes easier and quicker.
Reduces disease risk
Coffee plays a strong role in reducing the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.
Conclusion
People always question the authenticity and taste of powdered coffee. Within this curated list of our top 10 hot coffee powder drinks, you’ll find all forms of variety that will entice you and make you love instant coffee. From dark-roasted coffee to blonde roasted, all sorts of flavors are available. You can even try to microdose your coffee if you’re a coffee-nut like us!
Hot coffee powder drinks are hassle-free and give you the right kick in the morning to start your day. So stop spending time on a drip and brewed coffee when you have this entire list to explore!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does instant coffee last?
Instant coffee can last a while if sealed and kept in a cool and dry pantry. You can also store the coffee in an airtight container if it can’t be sealed.
How often should I drink instant coffee?
You can safely consume 3 to 5 cups of instant coffee daily. According to some studies, this quantity is optimal and is also linked to the highest risk reductions.
Does instant coffee save money?
Instant coffee can save some room in your budget by helping you free up some extra cash. Instant coffee is cheaper than cafe-bought coffee.
Does instant coffee give energy?
Instant coffee comes with all the health benefits of coffee, including enhanced energy and performance. A cup of instant coffee makes the brain alert and improves brain functioning.
References:
Niseteo, T., Komes, D., Belščak-Cvitanović, A., Horžić, D., & Budeč, M. (2012). Bioactive composition and antioxidant potential of different commonly consumed coffee brews affected by their preparation technique and milk addition. Food chemistry, 134(4), 1870–1877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.03.095
Arciero, P. J., Gardner, A. W., Calles-Escandon, J., Benowitz, N. L., & Poehlman, E. T. (1995). Effects of caffeine ingestion on NE kinetics, fat oxidation, and energy expenditure in younger and older men. The American journal of physiology, 268(6 Pt 1), E1192–E1198. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.1995.268.6.E1192
Eskelinen, M. H., & Kivipelto, M. (2010). Caffeine as a protective factor in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease : JAD, 20 Suppl 1, S167–S174. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2010-1404