Instant coffee: all manufacturers, all brands and marks: the best instant coffee, rating

Subscribe to our VK community!

Coffee has been one of the most popular drinks around the world for several centuries. It is available in various formats - beans, ground. Instant coffee is the fastest to prepare: just pour boiling water over it and you can drink it. However, choosing the most suitable variety for yourself is not as easy as it might seem at first glance - it all depends on the individual preferences of each person. In our rating of the best varieties of instant coffee, we have collected ten product options at once, so that each reader can choose the most suitable drink for himself. When forming the review, we were guided primarily by user reviews, and also took into account the price-quality ratio of the product. This includes not the most expensive varieties that will be within the means of every person.

Additional 3% discount on repair items until February 28 using promo code OZONHBP235 on items from this page! The promotion may end early.

Types of instant coffee

The product in question is popular due to its acceptable taste, invigorating effect, ease of preparation, and low price. Manufacturers prefer to use Robusta beans. The powder dissolves quickly in hot water, and the high caffeine content gives it strength. But the best brands make coffee from 100% Arabica beans.

The grains are roasted and crushed. The further processing method depends on what product needs to be produced.

Powder is the cheapest. Hot water and high pressure extract the soluble substances from the crushed beans. The extract is cooled, filtered and dried.
Granulated. The powder is treated with hot steam, resulting in the formation of loose granules of a darker shade. This type is gradually replacing the powder one due to better solubility.
Sublimated is the most expensive. The concentrate is frozen, then crushed and placed in a vacuum cryochamber. There the water evaporates and the coffee remains in the form of crystals. Freezing preserves aromatic substances, so coffee produced using the sublimation method has a more subtle aroma than other types.

Criteria for choosing freeze-dried coffee

Granule size . This characteristic does not indicate the quality of the product. Their structure and color are of greater importance.
Color . A high-quality sublimate should consist of crystals of a uniform shade.
Structure . The particles should not be too brittle and form a large powdery layer at the bottom of the jar. You should also be alert to heterogeneous contents in the form of sticky dark lumps. This type of coffee may indicate improper storage of the product (damaged packaging) or high humidity of the granules before packaging (mold may appear inside the can).
Solubility . If the structure of the crystals is disrupted, the rate of their dissolution in water decreases. And this is one of the most important indicative of freeze-dried coffee. The brewed mixture should completely dissolve in just a few seconds.
Package . Must be sealed, without visible damage or dents. When purchasing coffee in soft packaging, pay attention to the evenness of the seams and the clarity of the inscriptions.
Price . The best freeze-dried coffee cannot cost less than its granulated or powdered counterparts.
Best before date . It is advisable to use an opened jar within 1-2 months.

Best Coffee Brands

The stores offer a huge assortment of coffee; it is impossible to say exactly how many names there are. If when choosing natural grains you can navigate by the variety or country of cultivation of the trees, then with soluble grains everything is more complicated. It may seem that the products differ only in price and name.

It is possible to determine the best instant coffee using the sales rating and preferences of Russian consumers. Below are the ten most popular brands of instant coffee depending on the price category.

Carte noire

Another popular coffee brand. Carte noire is a delicious product, presented only in freeze-dried form. It is distinguished by its strength, sour taste and rich aroma.

The granules of this product are smooth and light, smelling pleasant. The taste is pronounced. Despite the fact that this coffee is made from Arabica beans, its taste has a slight bitterness.

Cost – from 350 rubles.

Premium segment

The ranking of the best is headed by the following brands of instant coffee

Egoiste

They say that he lives up to his name (“egoist” - selfish, self-loving). Once it takes a place on the kitchen shelf, it will remain there forever and will not allow anyone else near it.

“Egoiste” is the result of a joint effort between Germany and Switzerland. The official distributor is the North American group Coffee Globe LLC.

The uniqueness of this invigorating drink is that it retains the aroma and taste of ground coffee. The secret lies in In-Fi technology. Finely ground Arabica beans are placed in an instant coffee crystal. The contents are protected from oxidation and retain the properties of the grains.

Judging by the reviews, the main drawback of the product is the inconvenient lid of the jar. It follows the shape of a crystal, which sometimes confuses consumers. Not everyone immediately understands how to open it more conveniently.

Manufacturers use elite varieties and glacial alpine water. The entire production process takes place in one plant. This ensures careful control of product quality.

“Egoist” is a suitable option for those who are thinking about what coffee to buy as a gift for their boss or partner (100 g costs from 550 rubles).

The crystals dissolve in 30 minutes, leaving a sediment at the bottom of the cup. When choosing a brand, everyone relies on their own preferences:

“Egoiste XO” has a nutty-chocolate flavor.
"Very Special" has a delicate aroma with citrus notes.
“Privat” has a honey-fruity taste.
“Platinum” attracts with floral notes.
The “Noir” series is characterized by a rich citrus taste with a slight sourness; vanilla and blood orange are felt in the aroma.

Bushido

In the list of the best instant products, Bushido rightfully occupies a leading position. Looking at the cans with hieroglyphs and the inscription “Japan premium Quality”, buyers have no doubt that they are drinking a unique Japanese drink. But Bushido is produced in Switzerland. The brand was created for the population of Japan, where it was supplied until 2000. The Russian craving for exotic drinks contributed to Bushido appearing on the Russian market.

The product is deservedly included in the top quality instant coffee. It is valued all over the world for its exquisite aroma and pleasant taste. In 2007, at the Moscow exhibition, the brand won in the “innovative product” category.

In domestic stores you can find the following varieties:

Red Katana. The red label on the packaging attracts attention. Granulated coffee is made from abariki varieties native to East Africa. The drink turns out strong and tart.
Black Katana. The black label tins contain the strongest and densest specimen in the line. The beans are roasted over hot coals and acquire smoky notes.
Light Katana. Pink packaging communicates a soft, unobtrusive taste. The drink contains fruity shades with a subtle sourness.
Original. The mixture of grains from South American plantations is characterized by a delicate, balanced aroma and a slightly bitter taste. Original combines with milk and sugar.

Consumers note the taste and aroma properties of the product, but some consider the price too high.

Rating

Every year, manufacturers of invigorating drinks make their top list based on consumer demand. To identify good coffee, you first need to pay attention to its packaging.

An important selection criterion is print quality. Records must be clear and easy to read.

Also don't forget to pay attention to the barcode. It must match the country of origin.

The ranking of the best coffee brands includes:

Egoiste.
Jacobs.
Bushido.
Nescafe.
Carte noire.

Now let's get acquainted with the best coffee brands that have proven themselves on the Russian market.

How to choose a good instant coffee in the middle price category

Not everyone can afford to regularly buy elite coffee. The largest companies, in addition to expensive coffee beans, produce a quality product aimed at the average buyer. The ranking of the best instant coffee of 2022 includes the following brands:

Carte noire

The top mid-price category products are headed by Carte noire. The brand was created by French expert Rene Monnier. The supply of this product to Russia exceeds the demand in its native country. The popularity of the “Black Card” is explained by the high level of quality and rich taste. The first batches were released in soft black packaging with a transparent stripe.

The product is made from elite Arabica varieties from plantations in Guatemala, Brazil, Peru, Indonesia, and Kenya. There is no shame in giving it as a gift. The assortment is quite wide. The buyer can find a suitable option - from strong Expresso to light and soft Decaffeine.

Moscow coffee shop on shares

The Russian brand ranks high in the ranking of the best coffee from domestic producers. The company built a plant in Cameroon and bought plantations in the Dominican Republic and Colombia. Production is 97% automated. The manufacturer offers about 50 brands.

One of the most popular is Arabica instant coffee. The name speaks for itself. Gentle roasting gives the drink a soft taste with hints of chocolate.

Pure Arabica

The German brand TODAY is also included in the ranking of the highest quality coffee. The taste of the drink is close to grain. The reason is 100% Arabica coffee. Light brown granules dissolve very quickly in water. Pure Arabica is a great option for medium-strength coffee lovers. 150 g costs 300 rubles.

Taster's Choice

Factories are located in South Korea. Freeze-dried coffee is available in several types:

standard,
cafein free,
with a particularly mild taste.

Taster's Choice has a persistent deep aroma and a balanced taste with bitterness. Product price – from 250 rub. Decaffeinated (in green packaging) costs more - from 380 rubles.

Despite the high rating, coffee is difficult to find in the supermarket, so it is better to order from online stores.

Top 10 brands of the best instant coffee according to KP

To create our rating, we analyzed several product criteria. We compared the price, customer reviews, the country of origin of the grain and drink, the company’s reputation, and also took into account the opinion of the expert.

The Welder Catherine "Costa Rica Hermano Robles"

The Welder Catherine “Costa Rica Ermano Robles”
The brand “Welder Catherine” - this is how her name is translated from English - is well known to fans of bean coffee. They purchase and roast beans from the world's best plantations. The prices, as they say, are Moscow, but the quality of the products is decent. The roasting company is so far the only one in its segment that has decided to produce instant coffee. It is called “galasolution” because of the production technology. This is already brewed coffee that needs to be reconstituted with water. Moreover, it is not necessary to use hot, you can experiment with cold. There are three types of gala solution, but for our review of the best instant coffee in 2022, we settled on beans from the San Marcos region of Costa Rica. The taste is dark and milk chocolate, as well as tropical fruits.

Packaging: pack of five sachets

Advantages and disadvantages

Unique production technology, taste close to coffee beans, can be prepared in both cold and hot water

Packaging will not last long, difficult to find on sale, high price

illy Classico

illy Classico.
Photo: yandex.market.ru A famous Italian coffee brand that is valued in Russia. Especially upon returning from the resorts of the Apennine Peninsula, when the brand’s signature red label brings back memories of the vacation. The company's product range did not include instant coffee for a long time. In 2022 there are two types - “classic” and dark roast. We do not include the second one in our rating of the best instant coffee - the taste is too “burnt”. But, probably, there are also lovers of this blend. This drink has a milder taste. You can hear fruits, tones of caramel and chocolate, and you can feel the addition of natural ground coffee.

Packaging: tin cans of 95 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

A familiar brand of quality coffee, different roasting options, convenient packaging

Difficult to find on sale, high price

Lavazza Prontissimo Intenso

Lavazza Prontissimo Intenso.
Photo: yandex.market.ru Another guest from Italy in our ranking of the best instant coffee. For fans of a strong drink with a dense body, without a hint of acid. As soon as you add boiling water, the aroma of freshly roasted grains spreads throughout the room. Made from Colombian Arabica beans in Settimo Torinese, Italy or Switzerland. Buyers are delighted with the dense cream - a special foam that appears at the top of the cup after brewing. Everything is like natural coffee. To be fair, we note that the cream in instant coffee is obtained through additives and not naturally. With the addition of 10% finely ground insoluble coffee.

Packaging: tin cans of 95 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

Forms a dense foam, contains ground coffee, made from 100% Arabica beans

A thin, easily crumpled jar containing additives responsible for the formation of a cream and a rich aroma

Bushido Red Katana

Bushido Red Katana.
Photo: yandex.market.ru It is considered good form to indicate the region of origin of the grain. The countries listed for this instant coffee are Mexico, the state of Parana in Brazil, and the Malabar region of India. They are probably prepared from a mixture of grains, collecting their own blend. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not indicate more precisely. But one more plus for the brand for indicating the degree of roasting - here it is city, or “urban”. This is an intermediate stage between weak and medium. Maybe this information is not so important for instant coffee, but we repeat: good form in coffee etiquette is to give the consumer as much information as possible about the product. The taste profile of the drink is sweet and berry, with notes of wine. Produced in Switzerland.

Packaging: glass jars of 50 or 100 grams, soft packaging of 75 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

Made from 100% Arabica beans, coffee is included in the premium segment, production method is sublimation

High price, the taste of the drink may seem bitter

Carte Noire Original

Carte Noire Original.
Photo: yandex.market.ru Russian coffee that nods towards French traditions. They call their roasting “fire and ice”: when the grain is at its peak, the roaster is cooled by a cold stream of air. The origin of the grain is vaguely reported: the regions of Latin America and Asia. The taste of the drink is intense, with echoes of citrus notes. The flavor profile meets the needs of the Russian consumer: coffee bitterness and sourness in balance.

Packaging: glass jars of 47.5, 95 or 190 grams, soft packaging of 75 or 150 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

Made from 100% Arabica beans, the balance between sourness and bitterness is maintained, production method is sublimation

Inconvenient lid, high price

Moccona Caramel

Moccona Caramel.
Photo: yandex.market.ru Among fans of grain drinks, adding flavorings is considered bad form. Like, real coffee doesn’t need any extras. People are more loyal to instant coffee. This niche has been occupied by the Moccona brand. Remember the 90s - then this coffee was one of the first imported products on the shelves. Then it was pushed aside by competitors, and now the company occupies its intermediate niche between the premium and affordable segments. This caramel-flavored coffee is popular among lovers of drinks with milk. Almost like coffee with syrup from a coffee shop. We managed to find a decent flavoring.

Packaging: glass jars of 95 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

Unusual taste and aroma for instant coffee; production method: sublimation

Heavy and bulky jar, contains flavorings

Starbucks MEDIUM Roast

Starbucks MEDIUM Roast.
Photo: yandex.market.ru The famous coffee shop also resisted the release of an instant drink for a long time. But in the end I decided to do it, and it turned out quite well. Note that Nestle is responsible for the product itself, and Starbucks seems to allow the use of its brand. We included a medium roast product in the ranking of the best instant coffee 2022. There is also a light roast, but there are more complaints about it in terms of taste. MEDIUM has classic notes of nuts and chocolate. With the addition of ground coffee - 3%. The grain is purchased in South America and processed in France. An attractive jar that can become a mini-present. Packing: tin cans of 90 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

Well-known brand, different roasting options, contains ground coffee, beautiful packaging

High price, does not taste like the same coffee from a coffee shop, but this is exactly what you expect from the product

Mozart Kaffee Premium Intensive

Mozart Kaffee Premium Intensive.
Photo: yandex.market.ru Previously, this instant coffee was sold only in duty-free or stores that specialized in assortment from abroad. Now the products of this brand have begun to appear in supermarkets and on online platforms. It is produced in Germany. Famous marzipan candies are produced under a similar name. To clarify: these are different brands. Let us praise the manufacturer for their honesty: it states that it contains 90% Arabica. The rest is probably robusta. Marketers have firmly implanted in consumers the idea that nothing cooler and more premium than Arabica coffee exists. That’s how it is, only Arabica is different from Arabica. And Robusta adds that very creamy foam and characteristic coffee strength to coffee.

Packing: glass jars of 100 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

Does not taste bitter, has a slight coffee sourness, foam forms during brewing, production method is sublimation

Thin and brittle cap, 90% Arabica and 10% Robusta

Mount Hagen

Mount Hagen.
Photo: yandex.market.ru Grain is harvested in Papua New Guinea or Latin America. Soft roasting is used, due to which the drink receives a refined sourness. There are many markings on the packaging that are incomprehensible to Russians. The bottom line is that the manufacturer focuses on the naturalness of the product and... fair trade! This is when they do not act as the market dictates, but help farmers in distant countries and continents to develop and exist. But this is already politics, and we are talking here about the best instant coffee. Many consumers call it this in their reviews. Previously, it was ordered from American and European marketplaces. In 2022, coffee began to appear in our stores. True, premium networks. It is better to search in domestic online stores to choose a more acceptable price. Because frankly speaking, she is head and shoulders above average.

Packing: glass jars of 100 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

Natural taste of coffee, belongs to the premium segment, made from 100% Arabica beans

High price, which varies greatly from one supplier to another, difficult to find in a regular supermarket

UCC 114

UCC 114. Photo: yandex.market.ru
Japan has its own ideas about great coffee. In Europe and Russia, they prefer a more bitter, rich drink. In the land of the rising sun, they give preference to a less intense and slightly more sour taste. But not as acidic as low-grade instant coffee samples, but with more noble notes. You can get acquainted with coffee as it is seen in Asia thanks to the Uesima brand - this is the abbreviation in the name. By the way, this is the largest Japanese coffee company. The grain for this drink is purchased from Brazil and Ecuador. Produced using “freeze dry” technology - freeze drying.

Packaging: glass jars of 90 and 135 grams, soft packaging 180 grams

Advantages and disadvantages

Mild taste, an oriental brand unusual for the Russian market, made from 100% Arabica beans

Fairly high price, hard to find in stores

Inexpensive instant coffee

Below are selected options for inexpensive but popular coffee; all these brands are known to everyone.

Jardin

Jardin is a joint project between Russia and Switzerland. It is the best instant coffee in the budget category. The entire range is made from Arabica beans grown in Kenya and Colombia. Contains no flavors or dyes.

Jardin is the golden mean. This inexpensive product hits the top spot thanks to its light notes of vanilla and floral aroma. Combines with milk and cream.

Jacobs Millicano

Coffee with a green lid and label ranks 2nd in popularity in the instant coffee market. Each Jacobs Monarch Millicano granule contains roasted bean particles. Thanks to this production technology, the taste is close to that of a grain drink.

Nescafe

Nescafe is one of the best coffee brands in the world. The Nestle company was the first to produce an instant drink, thanks to which it gained wide popularity. Nestle bought green coffee from farmers, bypassing intermediaries.

The range of flavors allows everyone to choose their own option. The company produces 140 types of coffee. The list of the most popular includes:

Classic. A delicious bitter drink is made from a mixture of Arabica and Robusta.
Gold. Famous for its pleasant caramel aroma. The softness of the taste is achieved by medium roasting of the beans.
Espresso. Light sourness, rich aroma, lush foam make it look like freshly brewed natural coffee.
3 in 1. Delicious coffee powder with milk and sugar is available in sticks. The disadvantage is the presence of food additives.

In stores you can buy gift sets with a mug with the company logo on it.

Moccona

Moccona appeared on the domestic market in the 90s, and is still in demand. This tasty and inexpensive product is in demand all over the world - it is bought in Australia, the Netherlands, Thailand, and Asian countries. The quality of the product corresponds to its price - this is a good choice for connoisseurs of deep aroma.

Moccona's assortment includes more than 30 types of coffee. The brand's most famous product is Continental Gold. Medium roast freeze-dried coffee has a mild taste with a slight sourness. Dark Roast is a gift for connoisseurs of strong and bitter coffee; it invigorates and helps to concentrate.

The company produces flavored products: Vanilla, Hazelnut, Caramel.

Production technology

The combination of ground coffee and instant coffee became possible thanks to the invention of In-Fi technology. With its help, it is possible to preserve and fully reveal the best qualities of Arabica. In addition, oxidation of the natural product is prevented. Due to this, the shelf life is significantly extended.

The granules contain up to 30% ground beans. This distinguishes this product from classic instant coffee.

How to choose a quality product

Most buyers expect from a drink not so much ease of preparation as a pleasant taste and aroma. Of course, coffee prepared in 30 minutes is unlikely to compete with a drink brewed from freshly ground beans. But there are still decent options. So how to choose good, high-quality instant coffee?

When purchasing a product, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

Grain variety. 100% Arabica is the most expensive option. Cheap coffee is made only from Robusta beans. It is better not to buy a product if the type of beans is not indicated on the package.
Drying type. It is worth giving preference to sublimate, it preserves the aroma of the beans. Gourmets are not advised to buy powdered copies due to the low quality of the product.
To choose the best option, you should find out how much it costs. You should not buy a suspiciously cheap product. All first-class coffee producers use expensive raw materials and equipment.
It is better to choose coffee from a well-known brand that has only positive reviews.
Package. High-quality products are sold in metal or glass jars. When purchasing, you must ensure that the packaging is not damaged.
Print quality. The text on the packaging must be clear. In Russia, GOST 32776-2014 has been developed and approved, which guarantees the safety of the goods marked with it.

If difficulties arise, the store salesperson will help you figure out the coffee brands. The consultant will recommend the product based on the buyer’s personal preferences.

From the list provided, 2 brands passed the inspection of Roskontrol. As a result of the work, the high quality and safety of Jacobs Monarch and Neskafe Gold were confirmed.

The opinion that an instant product has nothing to do with grain is erroneous. Reputable brands use modern technologies that preserve the taste of the natural drink.

Kinds

Most gourmets prefer a specific premium brand.

There are 3 types of instant coffee: freeze-dried, powdered and granulated. Let's consider each option:

Sublimated . Professionals often call such raw materials “frozen.” Due to preliminary freezing, its structure is crystallized. Such a product is produced at low temperature through vacuum dehydration. During this process, sublimates appear - small crystals.
Powdered (emulsified). The production of such a product consists of spraying coffee raw materials in a stream of hot air. During this process, a brown free-flowing powder is obtained. The advantage of such a product is its low cost.
Granular . To create coffee granules, the beans are pre-soaked in oils. This manipulation makes them porous. Lumps of finished raw materials vary in length and shape. This product is more expensive than the emulsified one.

Sublimated

Granulated

Powdery

Origin of the drink

The history of the origin of instant coffee is not original and, one might say, this was an economic necessity. The technology for preparing a drink from coffee beans that dissolve in hot water was first invented by Max Morgenthaler back in 1899.

However, its development turned out to be difficult and the high production costs did not allow the creation of a commercial product. Later, Japanese and British chemists improved Morgenthaler's technology, thanks to which in 1906 it was possible to establish the production of instant coffee on a large scale.

Unfortunately, the instant drink has not become popular, because consumers are already accustomed to buying coffee beans and preparing it based on their taste preferences.

In the 1930s, there was an economic need to sell raw materials. A huge harvest of grains was lost due to the lack of technology for rapid processing and drying of raw materials. The Brazilian government turned to Nestle for help and after many attempts, a commercial product appeared in 1938 - Nescafe instant coffee. Its name comes from two words – Nestle and cafe. Smart advertising made the drink extremely popular in a short time.

A special impetus for the spread of this type of drink was the Second World War, because the speed and ease of preparing the drink made it possible to add it to the rations of the American military

The popularity of the instant analogue in our country is explained by the lack of culture in choosing and preparing coffee. Few people even understand the varieties of grains and know how to brew a delicious drink. Therefore, Russia ranks first in the world in terms of the amount of instant coffee consumed.