Instant coffee

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Tuesday, January 13. 2026

When I was little, all we had was Instant. Later, percolated.

At some point in the US, things like Mr. Coffee appeared and, now, those one-cup pod machines. More particular people have those steel machines that make espresso etc.

We use those pod things. I like Cafe Bustelo. However, in Europe and especially in the UK, instant is routine. Nescafe especially, which I think is the world's biggest coffee product.

I learned to appreciate instant during our last two visits to England. Heat the electric kettle and pour a spoon of grains into a mug. Not bad.

What do our readers think about instant coffee?

Posted by Bird Dog in Food and Drink at 14:04 | Comments (24) | Trackbacks (0)

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I, too, spend a lot of time in the UK, but I only drink instant on the rare occasion that I don't want to go to the trouble of making a full carafe. Once a week is plenty. It tastes OK until the next time I drink real coffee. Not an acceptable subsitute!

#1 Steven Wilson on 2026-01-13 14:58 (Reply)

I consider it a hot drink but not coffee. I still remember the horrid taste of instant coffee in C rations.

#2 indyjonesouthere on 2026-01-13 15:25 (Reply)

Instant coffee... A fate worse than death.
Especially if it gets old and somehow Carmelizes.

#3 Alpha Omega on 2026-01-13 16:41 (Reply)

Keep it in the dark. Cool is best.

#3.1 Assistant Village Idiot on 2026-01-13 19:25 (Reply)

It tastes different to me. Not bad but different. What I do like about it is that it is instant gratification.

#4 OneGuy on 2026-01-13 16:45 (Reply)

Backpacking only for instant. But, even backpacking I prefer (greatly) to pre-grind my own and make it sorta' Turkish style.

#5 eeyore on 2026-01-13 17:02 (Reply)

Yes, that's the best/

#5.1 Bird Dog on 2026-01-13 17:07 (Reply)

There's no reason for instant coffee.

Cold drip coffee is really good and easy and a French press makes coffee in about 4 minutes. It's not worth drinking that bilge when it's simple and economical to make real coffee in about the same amount of time.

#6 mudbug on 2026-01-13 18:17 (Reply)

Growing up in a rural area in the Fifties and Sixties, even the tiny nearby general store moved a lot of packaged ground coffee, especially Maxwell House and Chock Full O'Nuts. Every house and cabin had a percolator and my parents and grandparents had coffee with every meal. We would rarely eat out, but diners had ground coffee and Bunn coffee makers, everyone had coffee with their meals.

When we grew a little more prosperous and dined at better restaurants my parents' request for coffee with the meal was often strangely met. With your food, you mean, not after the meal, they would often ask.

We very occasionally would have some instant coffee when traveling, but I never cared for the stuff, and really only developed any interest in coffee much later in life. Breakfast only.

#7 Roger C on 2026-01-13 18:37 (Reply)

Instant is fine. Because pots of coffee go off quickly, I prefer K-cups.

#8 Assistant Village Idiot on 2026-01-13 19:33 (Reply)

Growing up, instant was always in the house for the occasional late morning or afternoon guest, but mornings and evenings were always covered by the percolator. Never liked the instant.

Today I like French press the best, but broke the last carafe a year or two ago and suffer with drip maker every morning.

There's something metallic tasting when I do the pods (at car shops, doctor's offices, etc.). Brother-in-law has a Technivorm drip unit with built in grinder ... it makes really good coffee. But not 300 bucks good. :-)

#9 Nat Brooks on 2026-01-13 19:45 (Reply)

As a caffeine delivery system in field conditions instant is acceptable but chewing a few whole beans is perhaps more effective.

#10 slm on 2026-01-13 21:09 (Reply)

I'd drink instant before one of those pod coffees. My one son went far into brewing coffee/expresso while in school for biomedical engineering. He can make one awesome cup of joe or espresso. As a result, I've been spoiled.

#11 Robert Jones on 2026-01-13 21:15 (Reply)

I came to enjoy a French Press to get the flavor just right. Otherwise, coffee seems to me to be plagued with bitterness. I like it black but mild. About the only way I have managed is to add additional water after it has been brewed. The uptick is that you can quickly cool the brew that way and drink soon out of the pot.

The pod things are overly pricey and I suspect that they essentially instant coffee inside.

#12 Tallywhagger on 2026-01-13 21:45 (Reply)

No commenters directly addresses the enormous snob factor in coffee preferences.

It's like wine and cigars - the frothers and other special tools, the arcana... the snootiness.

I doubt many can taste the difference - especially with milk (or vegan milk).

I enjoy pointing out to libs in my hitech office that their trendy pod-coffee habit is polluting the planet with plastic.

We have instant (regular and decaf) and the smallest packet of ground coffee that they sell... occasionally I will take out my French-press machine and make a cup.

Here in Israel there are single-serving packets of Turkish coffee that can be used as-is or in the French-press.

#13 BenDavid on 2026-01-14 04:01 (Reply)

I'm surprised so many use, or would consider, instant. I had one packet of instant of Starbucks brand. I'd just as soon not drink coffee, and I'm not a high end drinker.

I started using Bustelo when coffee prices went sky high because it's cheaper. I'm pretty sure it's also robusto, rather than arabica. After I got used to it I think I prefer robusto now. When Walmart started selling 8 O'clock whole beans again I switched back and realized how much difference there is between the two types of coffee beans.

#14 jack walter on 2026-01-14 07:16 (Reply)

Instant coffee I might consider if backpacking or camping. Otherwise is my Kona/Supremo blend, fresh-ground every day, full pot. Coffee is good for you, if the coffee is good.

My daughter has finally learned that Starbucks only uses espresso beans because it buys cheap beans and then burns them up roasting them, so you can't tell the difference.

#15 Aggie on 2026-01-14 10:27 (Reply)

Oh gosh-- I am a lucky girl! DH and I met in SFO. During those early dating times we would skip over to the Berkelley library on rainy days. After an hour or two of just cruising the isles--kinda like everyone does on their computers now--we woud hop over a coffee place called "Pete's". We have been drinking that coffee as one of our very few luxuries. DH uses the press pot and has matered what we consider the perfect mix. The best part--the very best part--is that he gets up when the alarm goes off, or maybe a few minutes before. I don't get up until he calls "coffee is on". That means I get up, put on my robe, and walk out into the kitchen where the carafe of hot "perfect" coffee is waiting for me! Like I said, "I am a lucky girl"!

#16 faculty wife on 2026-01-14 10:39 (Reply)

Cowboy coffee over the campfire. Hits the spot in elk camp.

#17 rocdoctom on 2026-01-14 11:45 (Reply)

Buy Farmers brothers beans and grind your own. My backup is ground Hills brothers in a metal can.

#18 indyjonesouthere on 2026-01-14 16:03 (Reply)

I keep instant around in case of power outages. Otherwise, I grind my own beans and use a percolator. I get beans from Gimme in Rochester, NY, Stone Street (NYC) or Peets (CA). All have fast delivery. Takes a bit of extra time over regular drip, but I just read the news while I wait.

#19 Chris L on 2026-01-14 16:15 (Reply)

Instant coffee shares many of the general health effects of regular coffee, but some processing methods and compounds unique to it may introduce specific risks, especially with high or long-term consumption. Here's a breakdown of the main potential concerns based on available research:
Acrylamide Exposure
Instant coffee typically contains higher levels of acrylamide—a chemical formed during roasting and processing—compared to brewed coffee. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on animal studies, though human evidence is limited and the doses in coffee are generally low. You'd need to drink an excessive amount (e.g., 10+ cups daily) for it to potentially become a concern. Experts emphasize that the overall risk from typical consumption is minimal, as "the dose makes the poison."
Eye Health Risks (Age-Related Macular Degeneration)
Recent genetic studies from 2025 link higher instant coffee intake to an increased risk of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. One extra cup per day could raise the risk significantly (up to sevenfold in genetically susceptible people), possibly due to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that trigger inflammation in the eyes. This association wasn't found with other coffee types. If you're at higher risk for AMD (e.g., family history), moderating instant coffee might be advisable.
Telomere Shortening and Aging
Observational and genetic research suggests instant coffee consumption is associated with shorter telomeres, which are linked to accelerated aging and higher disease risk (e.g., cancer, Alzheimer's, or frailty). Each additional cup could equate to about 0.38 years of telomere aging, though this isn't seen with filtered coffee. More studies are needed to confirm causality.
Heavy Metals and Contaminants
Some instant coffees have higher levels of lead and other heavy metals than other varieties, potentially leading to accumulation over time with regular use. While levels are often low and within safe limits for moderate intake, chronic exposure could pose risks, especially for products like cappuccino mixes with larger servings. Mold-related mycotoxins from poor storage are another occasional concern, though rare in quality brands.

#20 LibDis on 2026-01-15 10:08 (Reply)

I'm not surprised that instant coffee is popular in the UK. After all, these are people who eat beans on toast for breakfast.

#21 SteveP on 2026-01-15 11:39 (Reply)

"Yes, some Swedes do drink instant coffee, but it is not as popular as brewed coffee. Only about 7% of Swedes prefer instant coffee, while filter coffee is the clear favorite among 73% of the population."
comunicaffe.com teaandcoffee.net

50% Swedish here and a hardcore lifetime Fika practitioner. Just sayin.' As for me and my house I will serve only Lavazza Perfetto and, if I'm showin' off, homemade kardemummabullar.

#22 Missy on 2026-01-15 13:09 (Reply)

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Tuesday, January 13. 2026

Instant coffee