The best brands of freeze-dried coffee - rating 2022 according to reviews of experts and customers

Instant coffee has been popular for many years. It tastes a little different from grain, but cooks quickly. The most delicious instant coffee is different for everyone and depends on the user’s preferences. There are many different varieties of this drink in stores. Brands of instant coffee differ in price and taste. Let's look at the best of them.

Pros and cons of instant coffee

To obtain instant coffee, aromatic and flavoring substances are extracted from natural beans. The powder is poured with hot, sometimes cold water and a drink is obtained that resembles brewed coffee in taste. Many fans of brewed ground coffee do not consider it real. For them, the most delicious coffee is made from ground beans. But a large number of people do not like the taste of natural, but they are happy to use instant.

Advantages:

• Cook quickly
• No need to buy additional equipment
• In most varieties there is no grounds left at the bottom of the cup
• Instant coffee is more expensive than ground coffee, but it is used more economically. For one cup of coffee drink you need 10 g of natural and 2 g of instant
• You can buy instant coffee anywhere, in any store.
• It retains its taste longer than natural, which loses its taste within 2 months after roasting.

Flaws:

• Most varieties cannot compare with natural ones in terms of taste.
• Poor quality grains are used for cooking.
• The manufacturer may add food additives and preservatives to the product.
• High acidity

The proportion of caffeine in the powder is approximately 2 p less than in ground caffeine. But this can be both a disadvantage and an advantage of the drink. This depends on the individual requirements of the consumer. Below is the rating of instant coffee.

The best manufacturers

Italian manufacturers traditionally lead the world market. These are brands with many years of experience in creating coffee varieties. Coffee varieties are called blends. Mixing or blending is a special technology with which unique tastes and aromas are created.

Manufacturers keep the recipes of the most popular varieties, which are included in the ranking of the best, secret. The designation of the percentage of Arabica, Robusta or Liberica is not a complete description of the variety. When creating a blend, the level of roasting of the beans, mixing fruits from different plantations, and adding auxiliary aromatic ingredients are of great importance.

Lavazza

Delicious coffee beans, the top 10 cannot be imagined without mentioning the Italian company - manufacturer Lavazza. The company produces bean and ground coffee, brewing capsules, and coffee machines.

Description of popular varieties:

• Lavazza Espresso . An elite variety that is distinguished by its strength and richness. The flavor is achieved by cooking the beans to medium-rare. Delicious coffee beans are produced by the Italian company Lavazza.
• Lavazza Oro . This variety is characterized as sweet and sour with an elusive honey aroma. It is prepared from grains grown on plantations in Africa, Brazil and India.
• Lavazza Bella Crema . This is a mixture of Brazilian and African grains, which give a vanilla flavor and dense foam.

Illy

An Italian brand that produces blends based on grains from Africa, Brazil and India.

The list of products includes 3 types of mixtures:

• Classic . The varieties consist of Arabica and Robusta fruits.
• Intense . The blend gives a chocolate aftertaste.
• Strong . A strong roast level of Robusta is combined with a low roast level of Arabica.

The brand adheres to special rules when packaging products. Technologists prefer tin cans, where, in their opinion, grains are stored for a long time without loss of quality.

Paulig

The manufacturer from Finland ranks among the top three. The Paulig brand is represented by various grain varieties.

The most popular varieties:

• Mocha. Arabica beans are mixed with robusta beans and roasted together.
• President original . A traditional strong variety that contains more robusta.
• Classic . Arabica beans roasted in 2 stages.

Is instant coffee harmful or is it beneficial?

The product is available in three types:

1. Powdered is the cheapest and least quality. To make it, grains are ground, placed in a vacuum and drops of liquid are passed through them. They instantly fall out and become powder.
2. Granulated goes through another stage of preparation - the powder is moistened again and granules are formed from it
3. Freeze-dried instant coffee is made by freezing the dust obtained from ground beans along with water. Then a special technique draws out the moisture from them, after which dry tiles are formed. They are ground again and grains are obtained, which reach several millimeters in size. The advantage of this method is the ability to preserve the taste and aroma of real natural grains.

Despite the difference in taste, all types and varieties of coffee have the same effect on the human body.

Advantages:

• The diuretic properties of the drink allow you to remove excess water from the body in the presence of edema and hypertension. It invigorates, causing a surge of energy.
• Positively affects the liver, protecting it from cirrhosis
• Prevents the formation of gallstones
• If the consumer has a healthy stomach, drinking the drink can be beneficial because it speeds up digestion and helps digest food faster

Flaws:

• It's hard to believe, but an instant product is more addictive than a natural grain product.
• The nervous system suffers from it. First of all, because many people drink more than 3 cups of caffeinated drinks per day.
• It increases blood pressure, so the cardiovascular system suffers from it. It contains chlorogenic acid, which can cause heart disease and even heart attack.
• Excessive consumption of the drink can lead to increased anxiety and panic
• Caffeine leaches calcium needed by bones from the body. Therefore, its consumption may cause joint problems
• The drink irritates the stomach walls and mucous membranes. It can cause gastritis, ulcers, and hyperacidity. Therefore, you should not drink it on an empty stomach. It is best to drink a cup of drink 20-40 minutes after eating. And after another 15 minutes you need to drink a glass of water to avoid dehydration.
• Various aromatic and flavoring additives, which are used to make powder and granular types to compensate for the lack of aroma, can cause allergies.

Types of coffee beans

The classification of coffee is complicated by the variety of coffee trees that are found in the wild. The trees are described in detail by botanists and included in special lists. Only 4 types of coffee trees are used to prepare drinks, which give their names to the varietal varieties of the same name.

Coffee beans are collected in a special way; after collection, the stage of harvesting the beans begins. The varietal varieties of coffee are determined by the roasting index, grind size and other auxiliary characteristics.

Arabica

One of the most popular types of coffee trees, a variety of varietal varieties are created from the fruits of the tree. The Arabian Peninsula is considered the birthplace of Arabica.

Arabica features:

• the tree grows to a height of 4 to 8 m;
• it is not susceptible to infection by bacterial diseases, but can be affected by fungus;
• fruits on the branches ripen from 7 to 9 months;
• elongated (up to 15 mm) grains are formed in the form of an oval;
• the grains emit a strong aroma;
• the taste is characterized as sweet and sour;
• The caffeine content ranges from 1 to 1.5%.

Arabica beans are usually mixed with other types of coffee to increase the caffeine content. The most popular and sought-after varietal varieties of coffee are created on the basis of Arabica. Arabica has many subspecies, which explains the variety of blends created on its basis.

Robusta

Robusta is a stronger type of coffee. This is a shrub native to the equatorial forests of Asia and Africa.

Features of the species:

• the bush stretches up to 10 m;
• grain shape is round, size reaches 15 mm in diameter;
• the aroma is weak;
• taste – bitter;
• caffeine content reaches 3%.

The robusta shrub is almost not susceptible to fungal or bacterial infections; crop loss due to plant disease is almost impossible. When harvesting Robusta, many grains are discarded. Only smooth and whole fruits are left for frying. If damaged, loose fruits are allowed to enter the next stage, the resulting preparation will result in a drink with a burnt, bitter taste.

Liberica

Liberica is a shrub that primarily grows in Africa. It produces little fruit compared to Arabica and Robusta, making Liberica difficult to harvest. Liberica is considered an elite, expensive type of coffee, but it remains a variety for creating varieties with a piquant taste, designed for the amateur.

Features of the species:

• the tree stretches up to 10 m;
• Liberica is distinguished by the intensity of the aroma of the grains;
• the grains have a flattened shape, the size in diameter reaches 35 mm;
• it takes 14 months for grain to ripen;
• taste – bitter;
• The caffeine content is kept between 0.8 and 2.4%.

Liberica is used to prepare a blend with a small addition of Arabica or a mixture is made from Liberica beans of varying degrees of roasting.

Excelsa

A rare tree that grows in southeast Africa. This species is valued for its special taste. Excelsa has a classic rich coffee aroma.

Features of the species:

• the tree grows up to 20 m;
• the grains ripen in 11 months, their length is 15 mm;
• fruits are smooth and round;
• taste – fruity with a hint of honey;
• caffeine content – ​​1.5%.

Suppliers rarely extract this type of coffee in its pure form. Excelsa grows where other trees die due to climate conditions. Excelsa is used to create traditional Arabica-based varieties; most often the Excelsa content in this blend does not exceed 10-12%.

The most delicious coffee from AliExpress, according to customer reviews

Russian consumers have been ordering everything they can on AliExpress for a long time: clothes, gadgets, cosmetics, foreign food products. Coffee is also on this list. Below are the best brand products, selected based on reviews from real customers.

Saimaza Decaf

Roasted and frozen Arabica beans from Spain, this technology allows you to make an invigorating drink as aromatic as possible. The taste is not sour, followed by a slight bitterness. Dissolves quickly, the caffeine content is enough to perk you up in the morning with just one cup. Package price 250 g – 1209 rub.

Caprimo Cappuccino Noisette

Cappuccino without a coffee machine? Easily! At least not with this Spanish-made instant coffee drink, which already has dry cream and hazelnut extract added to it. After cooking, the aroma is simply incredible.

In this case, a thick, non-sagging foam is formed, as expected for this type of drink. Other advantages include price. So, a kilogram of this delicious instant drink will cost the buyer only 1055 rubles.

It turns out that you can buy high-quality coffee not only in specialized coffee shops, but also on the popular Chinese site AliExpress.

Kimbo Armonia

100% Arabica from Italy gives a sweetish taste and notes of walnuts and almonds. For a rich drink, 1 teaspoon per cup is enough, the first taste is bitter, then light chocolate reveals itself. Not sour. The aroma of the granules permeates through the packaging.

Neapolitan roasting produces a dense, rich foam. Excellent value for money and quality. Coffee lovers admit that a surge of energy is felt immediately after taking Kimbo. A 90 gram jar on AliExpress sells for RUB 4,050.

If instant coffee is your favorite drink, then in addition to your preferred brand, be sure to try other products, fortunately, there are plenty to choose from. Remember, the cost of coffee can be inflated due to the popularity of the brand, although the composition and taste may be no different from more affordable analogues or even inferior to them. Therefore, in order to avoid making common mistakes when choosing, carefully study the instructions, buy individual options for testing, or look at product reviews.

Nescafe Gold

The rating ends with one of the most popular domestic products. The brand has Swiss roots, but is produced by the Kuban plant. Only good grain is supplied to the conveyor; compliance with original technologies is strictly controlled.

Nescafe Gold is a strong type of instant coffee. It contains 4% caffeine. The quality is indicated by the absence of powder at the bottom of the jar and good, without sediment, dissolution in hot water. The smell is much more pronounced in the packaging than in the cup. Among the shortcomings, a harsh aftertaste is noted. But in the middle price segment (180 rubles per 100 g) the product deserves a solid “five”.

Every gourmet has every right to change the rating numbers. Well... The main thing is to drink only good coffee!

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.

Moccona Continental Gold

The most popular Dutch coffee has long occupied a strong position in the domestic market. The well-recognized cylinder-shaped jar, among other things, ensures better preservation of the aroma. Mokkona offers instant coffee of different roasts, but in our rating the most popular, classic formula is Continental Gold.

Freeze-dried coffee is large in size and dark brown in color. The average strength and softness of the drink is complemented by a barely noticeable bitterness. On average, this beautiful jar from Europe weighing 100 g costs 300 rubles.

Bushido Original

Most ratings give this coffee priority. The sublimate is produced in Switzerland by order of the Japanese brand. The company has several types of instant coffee, but the Original is the most popular in the world as a classic product.

The best grains from the same harvest from plantations in South America are used as raw materials. The berries are carefully selected and roasted by hand. The mining factory uses only natural cooling with air, without the use of water. Secret Japanese processing methods make it possible to better preserve all the flavor and aroma notes of natural grains.

Recommendations for selection

Delicious coffee beans, top 10 - this is a list of coffee varieties that are suitable for home or professional preparation.

To independently choose a type of coffee that satisfies the most demanding tastes, you must adhere to generally accepted rules:

• It is recommended to make purchases in specialized stores that have been selling coffee for a long time.
• In order to be able to visually assess the quality of the grains inside the package, it is better to choose a package that provides this opportunity. Vacuum bags are often equipped with transparent windows so that consumers can see the beans. They must be whole and even.
• Good coffee does not come cheap, so you should not count on preparing a tasty and rich drink from products whose cost does not exceed the lower limit of the selected price category.

When choosing bean coffee, it is recommended to focus on the level of roasting of the beans. The richness of taste depends on this characteristic. The level of roasting must be indicated on the packaging. Often the designation is an image of grains that are partially or completely painted over.

The level of roasting is classified according to the main properties:

• Weak. During short-frying, the fruits acquire a light brown tint. The roasting procedure provides a sourish flavor. Lightly roasted grains are recommended for making drinks with milk or cream.

• Average or universal . This is a traditional roast that is more common than others. Processing makes the fruits release essential oils more intensely, so they provide a bright aroma. With medium roasting, the beans acquire a brown or dark brown hue.
• Strong or intense . A roasting option that makes the fruit buttery. The surface color of the grains becomes dark, almost brown. Intensive roasting increases the strength of drinks. Deeply roasted beans are suitable for making Americano.

The top 10 delicious coffee beans are based on consumer reviews and purchasing statistics. Coffee beans have a special taste and aroma.