Instant Coffee vs. Ground Coffee: Which One Is Better?

I have always enjoyed how a cup of well-brewed coffee wakes my senses and keeps me energetic throughout the morning. Coffee is a source of healthy antioxidants and prevents heart diseases. Yet, since I discovered that there are two types of coffee I enjoy, there is always this debate in my head on whether I should take instant coffee or ground coffee. Since many other coffee junkies usually have this same issue and constantly wonder which of the two is better, I have written this article to answer that question. Read on!

What are the differences between Instant Coffee vs. Ground Coffee?

Features

Instant Coffee

Ground Coffee

What it’s made of (ingredients)

This is brewed into actual coffee, then cooled and dried

Coffee beans ground to a manageable size

Taste profile

Tastes bitter and unpleasant

Has better flavor and aroma that’s pleasant

Caffeine content/nutritional value

One cup has 30-90 mg of caffeine

High caffeine content, one cup has 70-140 mg

Availability/ Accessibility

Easily available solution

Requires a machine making it not simple when in need of coffee

Roast level

Lighter due to short roasts

Darker as a result of longer roasts

Cost

Poor quality and cheaper

A bit more expensive

Production process

Quite complicated, more complex

Shorter and straightforward

Instant Coffee vs. Ground Coffee – How They Compare

 Ground Coffee
Instant coffee. Image source: Nescafe

What it’s made of (ingredients)

The main difference between instant coffee and ground coffee is in what they are made of. Of course, when you look at the basics, they are all coffee. However, ground coffee is ground up to a specific size and then packaged and sold to consumers. On the other hand, instant coffee is ground coffee that is then brewed into drinkable coffee, then cooled and dried until only the solids in the coffee are left.

In essence, the ingredients in both are similar, but what they are made of differs. For this reason, ground coffee is preferred as it still retains its quality and strength.

Taste profile

What many do not know is that instant coffee comprises Robusta coffee beans. During the production process, much caffeine is lost, but because of the naturally high content of Robusta coffee, it is balanced out. Unfortunately, this process also affects the taste. Remember that although it has high caffeine, Robusta does not contain the high sugars and fats that Arabica beans have, which assist in balancing out the taste.

With ground coffee, there is barely any loss in flavor during the production process. They have a higher capacity for pleasant acidity. Remember that during the processing phase, ground coffee holds onto the essential oils, which in turn lowers the acidity and gives the drink a richer taste. There are a variety of pleasant flavors that are extracted during the brewing process.

Ground coffee wins when it comes to taste because it has a depth in flavor compared to bitter instant coffee.

Caffeine content/nutritional value

When compared to instant coffee, ground coffee has higher caffeine content. This occurs during extraction from the coffee beans. When the beans are exposed to heat and water, your coffee absorbs the caffeine. The longer your coffee stays in the water, the more the extraction of caffeine.

On the other hand, the caffeine in your instant coffee solely relies on the manufacturing company. Most caffeine is lost during production, and hence the drink does not have that punch that you will find in ground coffee. In terms of serving size, a teaspoon of instant coffee contains about 30-90 mg of caffeine, while a cup of ground coffee has about 70-140 mg. Apart from this, instant coffee contains more healthy antioxidants than ground coffee. It also has very little sugar, and its caffeine content is healthily low.

Ground coffee wins with higher caffeine content than instant coffee.

Availability/ Accessibility

Instant coffee is all about simplicity and availability. It is easily accessible since all you need to do is measure the granules and then add in the hot water and enjoy. When it comes to ground coffee, it’s not that simple. You need to first grind the beans and then prepare them in a machine, which will take a while.

So, when it comes to availability and accessibility, instant coffee takes the day.

Roast level

Additionally, the roast levels differ between instant coffee and ground coffee. Instant coffee is made by brewing coffee for a short while, then cooling and drying it. This, therefore, leads to its very light roast once you fix yourself a cup. In comparison, ground coffee is darker because the roasting is longer. The medium or dark roasts are also the reason for a strong cup of ground coffee.

Generally, ground coffee is preferred to instant coffee when it comes to its roast levels. Ground coffee is darker and stronger due to its long roast levels, which is what many look out for.

Cost

Almost all instant coffees are made from Robusta coffee, and hence are very cheap and of poor quality. This is because when coffee cherries grow, robusta yields double the amount of Arabica. Robusta beans are highly resistant to diseases, and so they end up being very numerous in the market. Their availability explains why instant coffee is very cheap when compared to ground coffee. Ground coffee is made from Arabica coffee beans that have a multi-layered flavor profile, making it more expensive.

Instant coffee wins as it is cheaper when compared to ground coffee.

Production process

The production process for instant and ground coffee starts in the same manner. We have green coffee beans, which are roasted at the factory in huge batches, and then they are ground. The process ends here for ground coffee because the coffee is packaged and sold.

On the other hand, instant coffee is brewed into drinkable coffee. Once this happens, this coffee is reduced to a thick coffee concentrate. In a large tower, the coffee is sprayed, and warm air is circulated. This process makes them dry, then they are moistened a bit so that they form granules commonly known as instant coffee.

The production process for ground coffee is faster and easier when compared to that of instant coffee.

Instant Coffee vs. Ground Coffee: A comparison overview

Ground Coffee – Overview

Instant Coffee
Ground Coffee. Image source: Pixabay

Ground coffee is mostly loved for its strong aroma and the high caffeine content, which most coffee lovers look for in coffee. Yes, the nutritional value is not major especially considering the high caffeine levels that can be detrimental to one’s health, but when taken right, it also has numerous benefits. The only challenge is its brewing process which I find very unfairly long, but with time, you get used to it.

What I liked;

  • It has depth in flavor and a pleasant aroma
  • Has just the right caffeine boost needed to give you a jumpstart

What I didn’t like;

  • The brewing process is unpleasantly long

Who it’s best suited for

  • Best suited for a person looking for a flavorful strong cup and who doesn’t mind the time it takes to brew one.

Instant Coffee – Overview

Instant Coffee vs. Ground Coffee
Instant Coffee. Image source: Nestlé Canada

I enjoy how whenever I crave a quick fix; I can get my stash in the cupboard and pour in a hot cup of water. It makes life so easy, and I appreciate how convenient it is. However, its lack of strength is what makes me frequently return to my strong cup of Joe. It is also bitter, and no amount of sugar gets rid of that sour taste.

What I liked;

  • Easy and quick to fix a cup
  • Has a long shelf life

What I didn’t like;

  • It is flat and has a bitter, unpleasant taste

Who it’s best suited for

  • Best suited for a person who prefers a quick fix of coffee.

Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? – Instant Coffee or Ground Coffee

I believe ground coffee is better than instant coffee. The best thing about it is that it has just about the right amount of caffeine a coffee junky can ever need. Instant coffee is convenient since it is easily accessible, but nothing beats a strong cup of well-brewed coffee every morning. Trust me, the brewing time is worth the wait!

FAQ SECTION

Which is stronger Ground Coffee or Instant Coffee?

Ground coffee is stronger since it has a higher caffeine content when compared to instant coffee. Instant coffee is made up of Robusta coffee, which has high caffeine content. However, during the production process, most of the caffeine is lost, and hence the coffee just gets flat and without much caffeine.

Which one is bitterer, Ground Coffee or Instant Coffee?

Unfortunately, instant coffee is considered quite bitter. It loses its caffeine flavor during the production process, and what’s left of it is just an unpleasant taste.

Which is darker, Instant Coffee or Ground Coffee?

Ground coffee is darker; this is because it is roasted for longer compared to instant coffee, and hence the color.

Is instant coffee less healthy than ground coffee?

No, instant coffee has lower calories compared to ground coffee. It has less caffeine with more healthy antioxidants. For this reason, it is considered healthier than ground coffee.

Does instant coffee taste better than ground coffee?

No. Instant coffee tastes flat because of its lost flavors. It is also too bitter. On the other hand, ground coffee has a depth in flavor and is strong and nicely pleasant.

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