Types of Instant Coffee
A practical guide to choosing the right instant coffee for your brand and market.
Choosing the Right Instant Coffee for Your Coffee Business
If you are planning to start a coffee business, one of the first decisions you will face is what type of instant coffee to use.
While instant coffee may look similar on the surface, different types are made using different processes. These differences affect:
Understanding these differences helps you make better decisions for your brand, whether you are launching a 3-in-1 coffee, a pure instant coffee, or a premium coffee product.
What Is Instant Coffee?
Instant coffee is real coffee that has already been brewed and then dried into a soluble form. When hot water is added, it dissolves instantly to create coffee.
For businesses, instant coffee offers:
This makes instant coffee a popular starting point for many new coffee brands.
Arabica and Robusta: The Two Main Coffee Beans
Before understanding the types of instant coffee, it is helpful to know that almost all coffee comes from two main types of coffee beans – Arabica and Robusta
Instant coffee can be produced using Arabica beans, Robusta beans, or a blend of both. In general:
Many instant coffee products, especially 3-in-1 coffee, commonly use Robusta or Arabica-Robusta blends due to their stronger flavour and better performance when mixed with sugar and creamer. Premium instant coffee products may use higher Arabica content or specific blends for flavour balance.
For businesses, the choice of bean type affects taste profile, cost, and market positioning, just like the processing method.
The Four Main Types of Instant Coffee
There are four main types of instant coffee commonly used in the industry. Each type suits different business goals and price points.
Spray-Dried Instant Coffee
Spray-dried instant coffee is the most widely used and affordable type of instant coffee.
It is produced by spraying brewed coffee extract into hot air, allowing the water to evaporate quickly and leaving behind fine coffee powder or small granules.
Why Businesses Choose This:
Best For:
Spray-dried instant coffee is a practical choice for launching affordable, high-volume coffee products.
Agglomerated Instant Coffee
Agglomerated instant coffee starts as spray-dried coffee, then goes through an additional process that combines fine particles into larger granules.
This improves both performance and appearance.
Why Businesses Upgrade to This:
Best For:
Agglomerated instant coffee offers better quality perception without a major cost jump.
Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee
Freeze-dried instant coffee is made by freezing brewed coffee and removing the ice under low pressure. This process preserves more aroma and flavour.
Why Premium Brands Use This
Best For:
Freeze-dried instant coffee is ideal for brands that want to position themselves as premium from the start.
Microground Instant Coffee
Microground instant coffee combines instant coffee with very finely ground roasted coffee. This enhances aroma and body while keeping the convenience of instant preparation.
What Makes It Different
Best For:
Microground instant coffee helps new brands stand out with a richer, more authentic coffee experience.
Which Type of Instant Coffee Should You Choose?
For new coffee businesses, the choice depends on:
Start Simple, Scale Later
Many successful coffee brands begin with:
As the brand grows, they expand into premium or specialty instant coffee types.
Next Steps
To learn more, explore each type in detail:
Let’s Talk
If you are unsure which type is right for your business, we are happy to discuss your goals.