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Dec 08, 2023

Best instant coffees of 2022 taste tested

For your daily caffeine fix at home umbled out of bed and stumbled to the

For your daily caffeine fix at home

umbled out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen? To pour yourself a cup of ambition?

For all the nine to fivers – whether you’re shooting off to work, tackling the school run or getting prepared to brave a day filled with appointments and meetings – coffee will be your saviour. Before you leave the front door, enjoy a homemade brew and you’ll be ready to conquer your day ahead - plus save precious pennies at the same time.

Instant coffee is the simplest and quickest way to make your own barista-style beverages. Simply pour the required amount of granules into your mug as directed on the packaging, stir in your freshly boiled water, weaken a little with milk (if desired) and enjoy a deliciously smooth drink with a caffeine boost. It's a great option for saving money when a coffee shop-bought brew is well over £2.50 these days.

Instant coffee is simply brewed ground coffee beans in either powder or granule form that have been either freeze-dried or spray-dried to preserve the flavour and use-by date. Adding hot water to the coffee and stirring will dissolve it and create a speedy, hassle-free but still delicious cup of Joe.

Here we’ve rounded up the best instant coffee for your daily caffeine fix…

This Italian label has been an expert in the coffee field since the 1930s and almost 100 years later are still delivering authentic blends. Illy has ventured into the world of instant coffees to provide an ultra-convenient answer to coffee lovers with a fast-paced lifestyle.

The Clasico medium roast is made from 100 per cent arabica beans roasted in Italy and offers a deliciously smooth brew with notes of caramel, orange blossom and jasmine. Simply mix with boiling water and enjoy Americano or with a splash of milk.

Look out for the playful, bold prints on the tins of Nescafe's Azera blend, which is part of a limited-edition collaboration with Skinny Dip London and brings a vibrant twist to your everyday coffee.

Making up to 55 mugs, this soluble coffee gives bang for your buck and creates delicious fruity aromas in your kitchen. Enjoy the warming beverage crafted from a mix of Robusta and Arabica coffee beans and savour the rich taste and velvety smooth texture.

Go mess-free with Raw Bean's pyramid-shaped coffee bags. Filled with 100 per cent ground Arabica coffee, simply pop in hot water and sip on deliciously rich and fruity flavours with hints of chocolatey sweetness. The eco-friendly bags are plastic free and biodegradable, made from plant-origin PLA. A super convenient option for those always on the go.

If you like your flavoured coffees, try Little's rich hazelnut infusion where 100 per cent Arabica coffee has been rounded off with a nutty roasted taste that is subtle but delightful. There's no added sugar, it's only four calories per cup and it's suitable for those with nut allergies. Pass the kettle!

Price for six jars.

There's no need to compromise on the quality of your morning brew with Presto's freeze-dried and micro-ground Colombian instant coffee.

High quality with a smooth texture and medium strength, you will get hints of almond and dark chocolate notes while getting your caffeine fix. We love the monochrome tin it comes in too that is guaranteed to look super chic on your kitchen counter.

Pour yourself a ‘carnival in a cup’ with Clipper's organic instant coffee. Smoothly textured with pure ingredients, this toasty blend is full of rich aromatic flavour and joyfully presented in a colourful jar. For a Fairtrade, medium-roast option, make this your go-to for a early morning wake-up or mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Price for six jars.

A creamy caramel combo, liven up your morning cuppa with Beanie's flavoursome coffee. Freeze-dried coffee is paired with sweet caramel to create a rich but smooth texture that is deliciously sweet, but not sickly so. Low-calorie and sugar-free, satisfy your sweet tooth without worrying about your waistline. It's also suitable for those following a vegan diet and is also nut free.

Try out some of the other wacky flavours in the Beanies instant coffee range – from sticky toffee pudding and gingerbread, to birthday cake that need not be reserved for just once a year.

Order a starter box of London Nootropics and sample three different varieties of micro-ground instant coffee powder that have been blended with natural adaptogens to help balance your body and mind.

The ‘Zen’ barista-style coffee features organic ashwagandha root extract, while the bestselling ‘Flow’ blend combines organic dual-extracted lions mane mushroom extract. This is not your typical cup of Joe and has been designed to make you feel calm and alert. It is also free from preservatives and artificial sweeteners – there's just pure natural ingredients to give you the boost you are looking for. The starter box includes 12 sachets with four of each blend.

Be your own barista and bring the coffee shop experience to your home with TrueStart's super smooth and gently roasted 100 per cent Colombian Arabica coffee. The UK-born family business has created a top-notch quality blend, with delicate chocolatey notes and a stable caffeine content so you can say goodbye to any unwanted caffeine jitters or crashes.

Going caffeine free? Try Whole Earth's No Caffeine coffee and experience a full-bodied flavoursome alternative, which still tastes like the real deal. Made using Italian barley, figs and ground chicory, this all-natural organic option still boasts a roasted coffee taste, just minus the caffeine. A great substitute.