Kicking off your day with a hot cup of Joe in a fast and efficient way is every coffee lover’s dream. Sure, some prefer to use an espresso machine, while others fancy old school pour-over methods, convenience is always a key factor. And what’s the easiest way to get your morning caffeine fix? Instant coffee. But what’s the best selling instant coffee that you totally need to get your hands on?
It’s the Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee based on Amazon’s best seller rank in the instant coffee category.
This means that this is the most preferred instant java by people who use Amazon and it’s easy to see why.
The Four Sigmatic coffee is made from organic Arabica beans and it’s also enhanced with extracts from Lion’s Mane and Chaga mushrooms and Rhodiola.
Thanks to these added goodies it offers additional immune and antioxidant support, on top of the quality coffee.
But there are also plenty of other very popular and superb instant coffee products on Amazon that you can try.
That’s why we’ve decided to give you a detailed list of 12 brilliant best sellers that you’re bound to enjoy.
So sit back and enjoy – your next favorite instant coffee might very well be on this list!
The Top 12 Best Selling Instant Coffees
Note that we’ve ranked them mainly based on how popular they are, although ratings and price also play a role.
And while the best seller rankings are subject to change, all of the top rated instant coffee products that you’ll see below are great nonetheless.
1. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane And Chaga
User rating: Great
Price: $$
Four Sigmatic’s signature Lion’s Mane and Chaga mushroom coffee is currently sitting as the best-selling instant coffee across the entire Amazon.
Now, this coffee provides are milder caffeine kick with 50 mg of caffeine per serving.
To put things into perspective, this product has half of the caffeine content in a regular cup of java.
However, this Four Sigmatic beauty comes with a bunch of extra and even unorthodox goodies, such as:
- Organic Chaga mushroom extract – Provides antioxidant protection, immune system support and overall well-being
- Organic Lion’s Mane mushroom extract – Helps with concentration, memory, focus and improves cognitive function
- Organic Rhodiola Rosea extract – Also supports memory and concentration, while fighting off stress as well
- Diet-friendly – Ideal for all kinds of diets like keto, vegan, gluten and dairy-free or even paleo
Another great thing about this coffee product is that it doesn’t taste like mushrooms, in spite of the mushroom extracts.
In short, I’d say that Four Stigmatic’s Lion’s Mane & Chaga Arabica bestseller is perfect for health-conscious coffee lovers who like to sip on tasty and extra healthy java!
2. Nescafe Taster's Choice House Blend Instant Coffee
User rating: Great
Price: $
There’s no doubt that Nescafe has a long-lasting tradition in making fabulous instant coffees.
Thus, it’s no surprise that their house blend is selling like hotcakes and also has a stellar rating.
This light-medium roast blend brings around 65 mg of caffeine per cup, which is about average.
But the great thing about going for a jar instead of individual packets is that you get to choose exactly how much coffee to put.
Some of the other perks of this Nescafe product include:
- One pack (jar) makes for a whopping 105 6-oz cups
- Offers a well-balanced and smooth flavor
- It’s dirt-cheap considering it’s a pack of two
- The airtight glass jar is ideal for keeping the coffee inside fresh
Overall, you can’t go wrong with Nescafe’s House Blend Coffee in an instant guise.
The only so-so thing that I noticed is that there’s no information about the types of beans used.
I’d assume it’s Arabica, but it only says that it’s made of “100% premium coffee”.
But that’s me just being picky I guess.
3. Starbucks VIA Instant Italian Roast Dark Roast Coffee
User rating: Very decent
Price: $$$
With Starbucks ‘ popularity, it’s no wonder their VIA Instant Italian roast can be regularly found among the top 3 best sellers.
This java is made of multi-region origin Arabica beans, while the dark roast brings a bold and robust flavor.
And you’re also getting:
- 105 mg of caffeine per serving for a stronger caffeine kick
- Deep and rich flavor with notes of caramelized sugar
- Convenient single-serve packets
Basically, if you’re a sucker for anything from Starbucks and fancy instant coffees, you gotta give this one a try!
4. Starbucks VIA Instant French Dark Roast Coffee
User rating: Very Decent
Price: $
Intriguingly enough, at number 4 we find another Starbucks entry.
This time it’s the French dark roast that’s slightly different.
Yes, you’re getting the same bean type (Arabica) and the same convenience that the Italian dark roast offers.
However, the VIA Instant French dark roast is even darker.
This makes for a more smoky and explosive flavor with even more boldness.
Actually, this product is as dark as VIA instant products get.
So if you fancy something full-bodied and robust, this one might be up your street.
5. Mount Hagen Organic Freeze Dried Instant Coffee
User rating: Very decent
Price: $
And while the previous two entries offer a bolder taste, Mount Hagen’s freeze-dried instant coffee is milder.
It’s not particularly strong taste-wise, nor will it give you a massive caffeine kick.
But whether that’s good or bad is down to personal preference really.
This is still a brilliant coffee that has a few tricks up its sleeve:
- It’s processed and organically certified in Germany
- Fair Trade certified
- Smooth taste without any bitterness or acidity
- Airtight glass jar for longer-lasting freshness
Also, the airtight glass container goes hand in hand with instant coffees typically long shelf life – in case you’re wondering whether coffee can go bad or not.
As a whole, you can’t go wrong with Mount Hagen’s coffee.
It’s super-affordable, tastes great and comes with a touch of German quality.
I don’t know about you but I’m already sold on this coffee!
6. Folgers Instant Coffee - Classic Roast
User rating: Very decent
Price: $
Okay, these instant coffee crystals don’t come with many bells and whistles.
This is just a classic, full-bodied medium roast coffee that just gets the job done.
And that’s perfectly fine!
Ideally, we want our instant java to have a decent taste and an affordable price tag.
This Folgers product does just that. Just look at how affordable it is:
- For a tiny price, you’re getting an 8-ounce jar (226 g) or up to 120 6-oz cups!
I mean, the price alone is stunning enough.
And to make things even more convenient for you, there’s no need to use boiling water here.
This Folgers instant coffee drink can dissolve in hot water just fine.
7. Starbucks VIA Instant Pike Place Medium Roast Coffee
User rating: Very decent
Price: $
Here we have yet another coffee courtesy of Starbucks VIA Instant.
And while it stays true to the Starbucks reputation and popularity, it comes with a different roast and notes.
Yep, this is the Pike Place medium roast variation and it comes with a distinctive flavor:
- Smooth and well-rounded with subtle notes of toasted nuts and cocoa
Oh, it definitely sounds pretty mouth-watering indeed.
On the other hand, the Arabica beans come from Latin America, not from several different regions.
All in all, the medium roast nature of this blend makes it optimal for daily use.
8. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee, USDA Organic Coffee with Cordyceps & Chaga Mushrooms
User rating: Very decent
Price: $
Yes, Four Sigmatic’s signature mushroom-infused coffee makes a second entry on this list.
This time it’s their Cordyceps and Chaga mushrooms and Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) combo.
Now, while their best-seller is all about improving memory and concentration, this one is more of a pre-workout booster.
Here’s why:
- Cordyceps – Supports performance by potentially boosting your energy levels
- Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) – Supports stamina and endurance
On top of these, you’ll also benefit from Chaga’s antioxidant and immune system supporting properties.
Eventually, if you’re someone who works out and enjoys a cup of Joe each day, consider this supposedly pre-workout instant coffee by Four Sigmatic!
9. Trung Nguyen - G7 3-in-1 Instant Premium Vietnamese Coffee
User rating: Very decent
Price: $$
The G7 3-in-1 instant sachets are manufactured by the Vietnamese brand Trung Nguyen and they seem to be quite popular.
Apart from the secret agency-like name, this instant coffee contains sugar, Vietnamese coffee and non-dairy creamer.
On a side note, the coffee itself is made using a dry roasting process.
Thus, it’s not freeze-dried so at least on paper, it should have a more pleasant taste.
However, a quick look at the ingredient label does raise some concerns.
Some of the components that the creamer constitutes include hydrogenated palm kernel oil and a few Es (E340ii, E452i etc.).
Even more interestingly, one of the components of the creamer is sodium caseinate (milk protein).
And on the label, it says “non-dairy creamer”… but it contains milk protein?
Anyhow, this coffee has a stellar rating and they sell a lot of it as it seems so it’s probably not THAT bad.
10. Starbucks VIA Instant Medium Roast Colombia Coffee
User rating: Very decent
Price: $$
It’s safe to say that Starbucks’ VIA Instant sub-brand is a favorite among instant-coffee fans.
This is yet another of their instant variations and here we have the Colombia medium-roast one.
Logically, it’s made from 100% Arabica beans grown in the Andes mountain region.
Hint – one of the countries that this mountain range passes through is Colombia!
And thanks to its South American roots and gentle medium roast, this VIA Instant coffee has a distinct flavor:
- Smooth and well-rounded with a juicy mouthfeel and a nutty finish
It also seems to be leaning towards the highly-caffeinated side.
Apparently, each packet of this coffee contains 135 mg of caffeine.
And this is more than double the amount of caffeine that you’re getting from regular instant coffee sachets.
11. Anthony's Organic Instant Coffee
User rating: Decent
Price: $$
At number 11 we have a fully organic, 100% Arabica, micro-ground instant coffee.
Apparently, the term ‘micro-ground’ stands for instant coffee that effortlessly dissolves in water.
Flavor-wise, you can expect a coffee that’s rich and bold.
And Anthony’s coffee also comes with a few additional perks such as:
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- USDA Organic certified
All of this means that you’re getting an instant coffee that doesn’t contain anything artificial.
Lastly, there’s about 95 mg of caffeine per cup, which makes this medium roast slightly more caffeinated.
12. Maxwell House International Cafe French Vanilla Instant Coffee
User rating: Decent
Price: $$
And on the last spot on today’s list of the best-selling instant coffees on Amazon, we have Maxwell House’s French vanilla.
Now, this is a sort of 3-in-1 product as apart from coffee, it also contains sugar and cream.
As a result, you’re getting coffee that’s both naturally and artificially flavored, as there’s nothing organic here.
Still, on the plus side, it offers a sweet and creamy taste.
This coffee is also quite affordable and it also comes with a resealable canister that’s meant to preserve its freshness.
Last but not least, Maxwell House’s instant French vanilla coffee is Kosher certified.
What Exactly Is Instant Coffee?
Instant coffee a.k.a. soluble coffee or coffee crystals are simply coffee extract derived from dried coffee beans.
First, whole coffee beans get roasted, grounded and then brewed.
Then every bit of water is removed from the brewed coffee.
Finally, all that’s left is dry, coffee crystals that can dissolve in liquid (generally hot water).
However, there are two distinctive technologies when it comes to making instant coffee:
Spray Drying Technology
As the name suggests, during the spray drying process a liquid coffee concentrate gets sprayed into a chamber.
This chamber is filled with dry and ultra-hot air that goes up to 480 degrees F.
And when the coffee concentrate reaches the ground, the water that evaporates forms tiny, round crystals.
This is how coffee crystals are made.
Now, generally speaking, instant coffee made using the spray-drying technique is considered inferior to its freeze-dried counterparts.
Freeze Frying Technology
In this method, the coffee is first made into an extract that’s then cooled to about 20 degrees F.
Afterward, the coffee gets frozen to -40 degrees F as it gets cut into small granules.
Lastly, the coffee granules are dried using a drying vacuum.
Note that freeze-dried instant coffee is generally made of higher-quality coffee beans e.g. Arabica.
How Much Caffeine Does Instant Coffee Contain?
Your regular 6-oz cup of instant coffee contains roughly 50 mg of caffeine.
But the exact amount obviously varies from brand to brand.
For example, the Nescafe Classic contains around 65 mg of caffeine per a 6-oz serving.
But at the same time, you can also stumble upon instant coffees that contain well over 100 mg of caffeine per cup.
It simply depends on the bean type, roasting process and brand.
If we assume that an ordinary cup of instant coffee contains about 50-60 mg of caffeine, regular coffee (ground/brewed) has roughly 60-120 of caffeine.
Is There Any Good Instant Coffee?
You bet – just check the list of best sellers above!
Instant coffee doesn’t necessarily have to be synonymous with poor quality coffee that tastes bad.
More specifically, the instant coffee with the highest rating currently is the Nescafe Taster's Choice House Blend Instant Coffee with a truly incredible rating.
It seems like This Nescafe product is among the most favorite instant coffees out there.
In fact, its flavor rating is also sublime as many people seem to love its taste.
And this coffee is also spot on price-wise so yeah – good instant coffee does exist.
What Is The Strongest Instant Coffee?
After doing a lot of digging, I found out that the Starbucks VIA Instant Medium Roast Colombia coffee is the strongest instant coffee currently.
Each 0.11-ounce (3.3 g) packet contains 135 mg of caffeine. Or that’s 135 mg of caffeine per serving i.e. one 8-ounce cup.
Sure, this isn’t as strong as espresso but it’s on par with regular coffee i.e. not instant coffee.
You also have to take into account that most instant coffees out there contain around 50-60 mg of caffeine.
This means that with that the VIA Instant Colombia coffee is more than twice as strong as your ordinary instant coffee drink.
And yes, by strong we mean the one with the most caffeine!
Instant Coffee – How To Make At Home?
Making instant coffee is a child’s play, really.
All that you need is some instant coffee, a coffee mug and hot water.
That’s all that you have to do in order to make a cup of nice and hot instant java.
But to be even more helpful here’s a short step-by-step explanation:
- Add the desired amount of instant coffee or pour the instant coffee packet into a 6-8 oz cup
- Fill the cup with hot water (boiling water isn’t mandatory)
- Stir well
- Enjoy
Sounds easy? You bet.
That’s the real beauty of instant coffee – the convenience factor.
And you can read more about making different kinds of instant coffees etc. in my How To Make Strong Instant Coffee article.
And The Best Instant Coffee Brands Are…?
Based on my own research and how well individual coffee products sell, the 3 best instant coffee brands are:
- Starbucks VIA Instant
- Four Sigmatic
- Nescafe
Why?
Because their instant coffees are highly-rated for their taste and quality.
Besides, all of these brands’ instant coffees have superb ratings and are generally affordable.
Conclusion
Clearly, the best instant coffee on the market right now is the Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee with Lion's Mane and Chaga as it’s the #1 best seller in the instant coffee category on Amazon.
Apart from the great user rating and positive reviews, this coffee is also quite healthy, thanks to its holistic approach to instant coffee making.
Now, I’d like to know what YOUR favorite instant coffee is and why?
Also, have you tried any of the best sellers on our list?
Drop your answer in the comment section below!
FAQs
What is instant coffee, and how is it different from regular coffee?
Instant coffee is a type of coffee that is made by extracting the soluble compounds from roasted coffee beans and drying them into a powder or granule form.
Unlike regular coffee, which requires brewing with hot water, instant coffee can be made quickly and easily by simply adding hot water and stirring.
What are some of the best selling brands of instant coffee?
Some of the most popular and best selling brands of instant coffee include Nescafe, Folgers, Maxwell House, Starbucks VIA, and Mount Hagen.
Can instant coffee taste as good as freshly brewed coffee?
While instant coffee may not have the same depth and complexity of flavor as freshly brewed coffee, many brands have worked to improve their products and offer a taste that is close to freshly brewed coffee.
Additionally, instant coffee can be a convenient and affordable option for those who want a quick and easy cup of coffee without the hassle of brewing.
What are some tips for making the best cup of instant coffee?
To make the best cup of instant coffee, use freshly boiled water and stir the coffee thoroughly to ensure that all of the granules are dissolved.
You can also enhance the flavor by adding a splash of milk or cream, a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg, or a dollop of whipped cream.
Is instant coffee more or less caffeinated than regular coffee?
The caffeine content of instant coffee can vary depending on the brand and the amount used.
Generally speaking, instant coffee tends to have less caffeine than freshly brewed coffee because some of the caffeine is lost during the drying process.
However, some brands of instant coffee may have a higher caffeine content than others, so it’s always best to check the label for specifics.
Did somebody say coffee? Two shots of espresso for me, thanks. Oh, nevermind – I’m Simon, nice to e-meet you, dear CoffeeLifior! I like to write, drink coffee and I believe in Jesus. Highly-caffeinated drinks are my thing, but you can occasionally see me sip on decaf (my wife never finishes her coffee). Speaking of which, I’m off to grab another cup of caffeinated goodness now, laters!
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
