Top 6 Differences Between Ground Coffee And Instant Coffee

– Everything You Need to Know –

Every day, our own created coffee universe is expanding a little bit more.

There are various popular but sometimes also very strange coffee drink versions for us to enjoy and experience out there.

In fact, coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world.

Besides coffee’s great variety of flavors and repertoire of possible recipes, the energizing dark liquid also comes with a lot of health benefits.

Some coffee enthusiasts even say that it makes them happier and live longer.

Nonetheless, many regular coffee drinkers sometimes still struggle to make up their mind and decide what kind of coffee they should usually get.

Often, the decision is between ground coffee and instant coffee.

Which one is actually better for you or in general?

In order to make the right decision, let’s find out what the top 5 differences between ground coffee and instant coffee are.

Let’s get started.

1. The Coffee Bean

In short, we are making ground coffee with actual coffee beans at home. And, with instant coffee, we do not.

Process of Ground Coffee

One could say that the main difference is the method by which both coffee versions are made of.

Of course, both ground coffee and instant coffee are essentially coffee.

However, ground coffee consists of a certain amount coffee beans that have been ground to a specific size.

Furthermore, whichever coffee type you would eventually use will decide how good the quality of your ground coffee will be.

So, for the process this means that after we picked the coffee cherries off the plants, they will be dried. Next, we are separating the actual coffee bean from its cherry.

Then, we will choose our desired roast level and roast it to this certain degree.

Moreover, the beans are ground to a specific size what the selling coffee company and eventually the end consumer is looking for.

Lastly, manufacturers will package the ground coffee and provide to the markets.

Typically, this is where the process stops.

And, these are actually most of the coffee products you will find and also usually buy at your local supermarket.

Process of Instant Coffee

In general, instant coffee is also a form of ground coffee.

But, coffee producers have already brewed it into an actual, drinkable coffee version. Overall and through various processes, only the produced instant coffee liquid is then cooled down and dried, first.

Essentially, only the solids in the coffee are still left after cooling and drying.

For this specific process, most manufacturers are commonly spraying the brewed coffee inside a large metal tower. In here, warm air will constantly be circulated.

Step by step, this will be drying the coffee particles. And, they will eventually all gather at the bottom of the tower.

After, the leftover coffee particles are automatically moistened a bit and fall into a drum container.

As a result, the particles are clumping together to form the granules we all know and recognize as instant coffee then.

Differences of Taste

Because of the specific manufacturing processes between ground coffee and instant coffee, both will eventually taste differently.

Typically, ground coffee has much more flavor to offer. And, it usually gives you a broader aroma, with more depth.

Whereas, people usually describe instant to be more flat. Furthermore, it is usually quite bitter as well.

Overall, when you are drinking freshly brewed ground coffee, instant coffee typically seems more weak and flat in comparison.

Essentially, the reason for these basic taste differences have a lot to do with the actual kind of beans many brand manufacturers are usually using for both of these coffee types.

We will further highlight this point further down our article.

2. A Matter of Time and More – Top 5 Differences Between Ground Coffee and Instant Coffee

As we found out already, the main trademark and characteristic of instant coffee is that it easily dissolves in basically any of form of liquid.

Of course, we are using water as liquid but any other kinds would theoretically work as well.

Yes, this makes instant coffee much easier and quicker to prepare at home.

However, because instant coffee dissolves so easily and fast, we also need to be very careful how much water we are actually adding to our cup of instant coffee.

In general, most people recommend adding a little bit less than what the actual packaging instructions will tell you to do.

Because instant coffee can quickly taste quite flat.

And, if you use too much water, it will even make it worse. Hence, you should rather use a little less at first and gradually find your most preferred ratio after time.

Many times, you will also find instant coffee products as a pre-prepared mix of coffee with powdered milk, sugar and other already added flavors.

Especially for many busy people, this makes instant coffee products an even more convenient option.

You may not always find places to brew coffee with ground beans. For instant coffee, all you will essentially need is hot water and a cup.

By the way and a very good alternative are actually drip coffee bags.

They basically also only need hot water and a cup. You can find out more here.

Ground Coffee and Water

As we all know, of course, ground coffee will react or dissolve differently.

In fact, ground coffee will not just dissolve into your water. Regardless, of what you are trying to do to it.

You may even go ahead and blend your ground coffee into finest powder and try to make a sort of strange coffee smoothie out of it.

But still, it would not dissolve into water even then.

Indeed, you can try it yourself. Go ahead, blend your coffee very thorough until powdery. Next, mix it with water and let it rest for a few minutes.

After a while, you will notice that the wet powdered coffee will eventually sink to the bottom of your cup and not really dissolve.

Coffee experts say that the main reason is because ground coffees are made of large amount of fiber. And, these do not simply dissolve in water.

Maybe you are also sometimes adding flavors like cinnamon or cocoa powder to your coffee. You might have noticed the same result then. They also not dissolve but simply sink to the bottom, too.

Advantages Here and There

So, when it comes to our daily coffee cup preparation and its time factor, one could actually say that instant coffee has an advantage here.

Firstly, instant coffee does not produce any significant by-products.

There is simply no leftover to throw away after. As with ground coffee, we are disposing our coffee grounds after, of course.

And secondly, we usually have less kitchen utensils to clean after when making instant coffee. We don’t really need any equipment such as a brewer machine, for example.

By the way, here is something interesting. Did you actually know that the original and very popular frappe was invented with instant coffee?

So, there is definitely a very valid place for instant coffee in our coffee world and its history. Especially since there are also many great iced coffee recipes made with it.

However, also ground coffee can theoretically be reused more times than just once.

3. Caffeine Content

In general, ground coffee usually has a higher caffeine content than instant coffee.

The reasons for this are two important things that are typically happening during the process of brewing coffee.

To find the answer, we need to ask the following. How are we actually able to extract and get caffeine out of coffee?

Normally for this to happen, we are exposing our coffee beans to heat. And, to a specific selection of liquids after, in order to draw out the caffeine.

In other words, hot water in contact with coffee will literally absorb the caffeine in the bean.

Furthermore, the longer we are keeping our coffee beans in the hot water, the more caffeine will be extracted.

So, by applying hot water to any preparation method, like French press, moka pot or simply filter coffee, you are essentially reducing the caffeine content the longer you are brewing.

But, your final cup of brewed ground coffee will usually still come with more caffeine compared to regular instant coffee.

Unless, you will let it brew forever and lose all of the great coffee taste as well then.

Hence, we can summarize and assume to at least have some control over ground coffee when it comes to its caffeine content.

In short, we can always adjust and tweak our ground coffee a bit, if we wish.

However, it is different with instant coffee.

No Control Over Instant Coffee

When it comes to instant coffee, we actually have no influence on its caffeine content at all.

Since it is pre-prepared, the manufacturing coffee companies will have sole control over it.

Many times, these instant coffee producing companies are aiming to make their coffee powder as strong as possible.

As a result, this will limit you in regards of the actual caffeine content.

Consequently, you will simply have to work with what you are getting provided or choosing to buy.

Nonetheless, there is at least something you can do. Typically, you can always just add more instant coffee to your water, if the caffeine kick is not strong enough for you.

But, this will usually and unfortunately also result in an even more bitter coffee drink then.

That is why many people will add more further coffee additives such as sugar or milk to their cup.

Usually, these additions are not helping to make your coffee healthier.

Instead, they will rather diminish some of the great health benefits coffee is actually able to provide us with.

4. Quality & Price – Top 5 Differences Between Ground Coffee and Instant Coffee

The majority of regular coffee consumers often say that instant coffee is poorer in quality. Plus, it is usually much cheaper and therefore more affordable.

Here is one of the main reasons why instant coffee may commonly have lower quality.

Almost always, it is made with Robusta coffee beans.

Overall, there are two main types that pretty much dominate our worldwide coffee market entirely. And, these would be Robusta and Arabica coffee.

Several factors make Robusta beans the usual cheaper and lower quality version. However, Robusta coffee typically contains a much higher caffeine content than Arabica.

In addition, you can also find some higher quality instant coffee brands made out of a mix of Robusta and Arabica. Very rarely, there are even brands that only work with Arabica coffee beans.

On the other hand, ground coffee is most commonly made out of Arabica coffee beans.

Sometimes, you can find blends with Robusta as well. This is usually to add a stronger caffeine kick to your product. Plus, to save some cost, to be honest.

In general, Robusta has almost double the amount of caffeine. But, it also has half the amount of sugars and fat than Arabica beans can provide us with.

People usually like to describe the taste of Robusta as rather being a bit earthy and bitter. And, the additional drying and cooling process will even further impact the final taste of instant coffee.

As a result, almost all natural flavors will be lost. Typically, this only leaves bitterness and caffeine behind in most cases.

Nonetheless, there are many instant coffee lovers out there. And, over the years, the quality of instant coffee has been improving quite significantly.

Nowadays, you can purchase some much better and more flavorsome brands already.

Arabica or Robusta?

Every one of us has different coffee preferences or desires.

Some may prefer Arabica beans and others may like Robusta coffee more. And, there are good reasons for both.

As just mentioned, the majority of coffee manufacturers use Robusta beans to produce instant coffee.

For once, it brings a lot of caffeine to the product. Additionally, the final outcome will usually still have a strong enough flavor profile to work with.

In addition, there are some other pretty good points worth highlighting.

Each coffee lover has its own little coffee ritual when it comes to fix their daily cup of coffee. Many regular coffee consumers will also want to add things like milk, sugar, cream or other flavors.

Due to Robusta coffee typically having such a strong flavor, it can easily stand up to any large quantities of sugary or dairy additions.

The Cost Factor

Furthermore, Robusta coffee may also have economic advantages.

Especially, when talking about commercial coffee production, Robusta is usually the type that is easier to grow and manage.

Plus, the coffee cherries of the Robusta type are able to yield double the amount of Arabica. You are simply getting more coffee beans for a cheaper price and with less plantation land.

Additionally, Robusta beans are naturally more resistant to diseases and pests. Hence, you need to spend less money on pesticides and other protective measures.

In summary, these are all reasons why many coffee companies like to make instant coffee out of Robusta beans.

As a result, the instant coffee can be sold to consumers for a usual much cheaper and very competitive price.

But again, you can find many mixed coffee type products these days as well.

More exclusive and expensive instant coffee brands may contain Arabica coffee beans, too. And on the other hand, cheaper ground coffee products may also come with Robusta beans.

Overall, our coffee culture is further evolving as we speak.

Growing, drying, roasting, packaging and roasting processes are constantly reinvented and improved.

In the end, both the quality of ground coffee and instant coffee are benefitting from it.

5. Convenience

This last point is probably the most crucial one for many regular coffee drinkers.

Which coffee drink is more convenient and suitable for your own lifestyle and daily rituals?

If we are only looking at the pure time factor, the brewing time for ground coffee is much longer. Usually, you will have to wait for at least a few minutes.

And after, all of your used equipment has to be cleaned. The leftover coffee grounds have to be thrown away. Then, you can eventually enjoy your drink.

For some people, this entire process simply takes too long.

And, this is where instant coffee comes into play quite conveniently. You basically just add hot water to your cup and you are done.

In fact, you actually don’t even need hot water. Cold water would also do.

Overall, instant coffee may be a good option for anyone busy or someone, who is on-the-go. Or, when you are outside camping or taking a trip, for example.

You can just bring a bottle of water, a coffee mug, and you are ready to go.

So, eventually, it depends on each own person’s thinking and what they find convenient or not.

But, besides, instant coffee, there are also drip coffee bags which can offer you the same convenience.

Plus, even if it may take longer to brew your ground coffee on-the-go or somewhere outside, there are many great and easily portable coffee tools you can conveniently take with you anywhere these days.

Final Thoughts – Top 5 Differences Between Ground Coffee And Instant Coffee

At the end of day, it is all about what we like or may not like.

Same as there are countless discussions about the various differences between ground coffee and instant coffee, there are similar ones about whether the use of teabags or loose leaf teas may be better, for example.

However, one thing about this topic is certain.

Coffee never ceases to amaze me. It is incredible how we are constantly and actively evolving and reinventing our own little coffee universe.

May it be in the form of instant coffee, ground coffee or filter coffee, this empowering dark liquid literally gives us hundreds of ways to experience and express our own coffee desires.

Plus, coffee can provide us with a much appreciated energy boost. It comes with many great health benefits and may even make us happier and therefore help us live longer.

So, what are your thoughts on this subject?

In your opinion, what are the most important differences between ground coffee and instant coffee?

Which coffee drink do you usually prefer more and why?

Feel free to share your experiences.

Until then, stay safe, healthy and properly caffeinated.

Cheers!