10 Best Instant Coffee UK 2022

Are you thinking about what is the best instant coffee to buy in the UK?

Here at Daily Espresso, we like to think of ourselves as coffee connoisseurs, believing that the best coffee is made using the best equipment.

The truth is, instant coffee gets a bit of harsh treatment from the coffee world. You can argue that it isn’t really proper coffee, but there is also no denying that it is massively popular.

Especially if you want to make a whipped Dalgona coffee, which can only be done with the instant stuff.

But choosing instant coffee doesn’t mean you have to settle for substandard. The good thing about it being so popular is that there is some really decent stuff out there now, which tastes just like the real thing – perfect for coffee taste lovers who aren’t as bothered about the caffeine content or crafting their perfect cup.

So without further ado, we bring you the 10 best instant coffee UK.

The Best Instant Coffees UK

NESCAFÉ AZERA Americano Instant Coffee Tin

Overview

As mentioned, while instant coffee isn’t ideal for the ‘real experience’, this is probably the closest you will get to perfection. For us, the best instant coffee in the UK market.

It describes itself as barista-style instant coffee, crafted from a selection of Arabica and Robusta beans. As it is a blend of instant and finely ground roasted coffee, you get a layer of velvety coffee crema with every cup, which isn’t often the case with ordinary instant.

Two spoonfuls makes a double shot for a bit more of a kick, and it still only requires hot water to make so is really easy.

It is also available in decaf in case you still prefer the taste over the caffeine kick.

Kenco Iced Latte Instant Coffee 8 Sachets

Overview

These sachets are great if you love an iced latte from the coffee shop but making it at home when the craving hits is just too much hard work.

They are available in Original, Salted Caramel, Coconut or Vanilla, to match your usual order. It is recommended you make it with ice cold milk, add some ice cubes and even add a dollop of ice cream on top for extra indulgence.

For a less creamy drink, use 180ml of water and just stir until it gets to the right consistency. Because they come in sachets, they are also great to take on holiday, pop in your bag to go to work or just simply something that takes up little space in your cupboards.

Nescafe Sticks Cappuccino

Overview

You don’t have to go to your local cafe to get a cappuccino anymore. With Nescafe Sticks Cappuccino, you can make one right in your own home!

Cappuccino is a frothy, luxurious drink that’s a little bit sweet, and it’s made with finely ground coffee that dissolves with water and a bit of stirring. And because this cappuccino is 3-in-1 (it contains milk and sugar already), all you have to do is add water and stir.

All of the beans used in this product are sustainably sourced from around the world by Nescafe—and there are also Flat White and Latte versions available if you’re looking for something other than cappuccino.

illy Smooth Taste Instant Coffee

Overview

100% Arabica, and instant coffee with some roasted ground in there too, this is one of the most popular instant coffee options around for people who love a smooth taste – perhaps anyone used to machine coffee.

It comes in a metal tin, which is ideal for freshness and avoiding plastic. Some people claim that the instant coffee is just as good as the Fresh Brew, which is great if you aren’t bothered about having a higher caffeine content.

There is no bitterness, and it can be hard to find in supermarkets so the fact you get six with this online purchase makes it even better value.

Douwe Egberts Pure Indulgence Instant Coffee

Overview

A strength of Dark/4, this is the best instant coffee UK for anyone who really loves a more potent taste. As other instants, it is freeze-dried and therefore will retain the taste no matter how long it takes you to get through them.

It is still made from the finest of beans for that authentic taste, and full-bodied so it can be enjoyed at any time of day. The company has been going for over 250 years, so know a good deal about coffee and have put all of this into their instant blend too.

It can be drunk black or with a dash of milk, and is also good as a base for other drinks in case you want to also froth milk.

Kenco Millicano Americano Intense Instant Coffee

Overview

An intense, dark-roasted blend which is best if you will be making stronger Americanos or other similar drinks, without milk and other flavourings.

The blend of freeze dried instant coffee and roast and ground coffee gives it that intense flavour, to bring it up a notch compared to most other instant coffees which are available.

This makes it one of the best options for people who really love the flavour of coffee but for who instant coffee is easiest.

Lavazza: “Prontissimo! Intenso” Instant Coffee

Overview

Premium instant coffee enhanced with 10% finely ground coffee, this intense blend is great for anyone who wants to balance easiness with proper coffee flavour.

It is 100% Arabica for top-quality, and it only takes one teaspoon of powder to make a perfect cup. Flavour it with milk, sugar or whatever else you use, as it makes an ideal base coffee.

A 5 Dark Roast, it could be enjoyed at any time of day and even by itself.

Folgers Classic Roast Instant Coffee Crystals

Overview

It’s the taste you love with a flip-top jar that’s easy to open! Just one rounded teaspoon yields a cup full of classic Folgers flavor and aroma. Easy to open, easy to use, and easy enjoyment with every sip.

With the introduction of our new 8-ounce jar, we’re making it easier than ever for you to enjoy the rich flavor and aroma of Folgers Classic Roast Coffee. Our new jar has a flip top lid that’s easy to open, so you’ll be able to get your morning cup of coffee in a snap—no matter how much sleep you got last night!

Nescafe Original Decaffeinated Coffee

Overview

If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee but want to kick the caffeine habit, this Nescafe Original Decaffeinated Coffee (200g) is perfect for you.

This delicious blend gives you all the rich flavor that you love without any of the jitters or sleeplessness that comes with too much caffeine.

This decaffeinated coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans. They’re then roasted to perfection in small batches, so you get a rich, smooth flavor every time you brew your cup!

If you’re going to be drinking coffee throughout the day and don’t want to feel jittery or wired, this decaf is for you!

Clipper Fairtrade Organic Instant Coffee

Overview

When you are conscious about buying your food, drink and pretty much everything else, looking for the Organic label is one way to tell it is a fair product.

This Clipper coffee uses pure ingredients and has only the highest-quality sources. There is nothing artificial added and it has also helped to improve the welfare of workers.

It is full bodied and smooth, natural, fair and delicious coffee. The medium roast is good for any time of day, and it dissolves down really well with one or two teaspoons of coffee and the right amount of water.

Instant Coffee Buying Guide

How To Choose The Best Instant Coffee UK

Think about your regular coffee drinking. How strong do you like it, which roast and how do you make it?

For example, if you like a dark, rich roast and to make it with frothy milk and sugar, find a roast which is dark and a coffee which isn’t too intense, so it will taste okay mellowed down.

Capacity

For each cup of instant coffee, you should use a teaspoon of granules, which is about 4g.

So, a tin of 95g of coffee will still make around 24 coffees. But, if you have a household full of coffee lovers, then buying in bulk or a tub of larger capacity could work out better in the long run.

Types Of Instant Coffee

Instant coffee comes in jars or sachets.

For the former, it is often just the pure coffee content in the jar which can be used as a base drink. However, a sachet of coffee will usually contain the milk and sugar content needed for a regular cup of coffee. Sachets can also contain all of the ingredients for speciality coffees such as iced, cappuccinos or lattes, and are great for taking on holiday, camping or to work.

You can also buy freeze-dried granules or spray-dried granules, which is basically just two different methods of production but the former is often seen as the higher-quality product.

FAQs

How is instant coffee made?

There are a few ways to make instant coffee, in order to make the grounds soluble.

With freeze-drying coffee, the soluble parts of the coffee bean are extracted, and this is then freeze-dried to make smaller granules. They are dried, and the water is removed. It is a more expensive and longer process than spray-drying, but often gives better results.

With spray-drying, a similar method is used but the faster drying and larger scale can mean a lower quality coffee granule.

How do you make instant coffee?

It is super easy – which is why it is so popular! Simply put one teaspoon of the granules into a cup, and pour the right amount of water over as described on the packaging.

Some people like to put two teaspoons in for a stronger, more bitter taste, and some also argue that putting the water in first is best. Either way, use hot water rather than boiling.

You can drink it as black or add milk and sugar. You can also use it as a base for creamy homemade cappuccinos or add flavoured syrups.