Coffee is no doubt, the second most consumed beverage in the world. Available in nearly every shop, and known for it’s rich aroma and the calming effect it could have on the mind. Coffee is known to offer health benefits, such as building brain alertness and has a low-calorie level.

Coffee beans go through a very long process from seed to plant, and plant to fresh coffee bean. Read more about the process here “

Once the bean is ground up, it starts to age rapidly.

When choosing the type of coffee to buy, we often have to choose between convenience (instant coffee) or indulgence (ground coffee). Although both coffee forms share similar properties, they also stand out in a few areas. Your preferences will significantly determine your choice of the best type to buy.

What is Instant Coffee?

Instant coffee is brewed coffee beans. It is also known as soluble coffee. It is worth mentioning that instant coffees also go through the process of roasting like the ground beans. However, it has been processed into a soluble form that is easily dissolvable in water. Instant coffee is the result of the processing of coffee beans. More so, it is also made to be of more concentration with the help of evaporation processes. Instant coffee makes the entire coffee drink making process easier and faster. With instant coffee, all you do is to add the coffee into a cup, and add your needed quantity of water by recipe and then stir to your satisfaction. Quick and convenient for everyday coffee.

It is important to note that the strength of your coffee is dependent on the recipe of your coffee. Hence, to make a balanced instant coffee, you will need to add the right amount of instant coffee to your needed water quantity – “recipe”.

Interested in the best instant coffee brands? We have them reviewed, and written a buyers guide, so you know what to look for.

What is Beans Coffee?

Unlike instant coffee where you add the coffee, water, and then stir, ground coffee requires more time and processes in terms of it’s preparation. To make fresh ground coffee, you will need the necessary skill and machinery for brewing your coffee drink. After roasting the green beans to it’s desired roast profile the beans need to be grind in order to use it, and filtration of the coffee particles is necessary to produce a clean cup.

In recent times, there have been many coffee brewing machines that have been introduced to the market to help make the brewing process easier and faster. However, it is not capable of matching that of instant coffee in time and convince. For the indulgence of the varying coffee flavors possessed by coffee beans, taking a bit more time is not asking too much.

It is worth mentioning that ground coffee ( arabica ) has a lower caffeine concentration than instant coffee (robusta). It is so because robusta is more caffeine concentrated than arabica coffee. Also, ground coffee come at a little lower price than instant coffee when brewed at the right recipe.

Instant Coffee VS Ground Coffee

It is relatively difficult to select the best coffee between instant and ground coffee, and this because the best coffee for you is dependent on your preference and taste. However, certain factors should be considered to help you in determining the best for you.

Time and Convenience

When it comes to brewing time and ease of making coffee, instant coffee stands out as you can prepare a cup of coffee in just a few simple steps. Instant coffee can be prepared by putting your coffee powder in a cup, adding hot or cold water and then stirring. This coffee-making process can be achieved in a few seconds and does not require any form of skill. On the other hand, preparing ground coffee requires a bit more time, and a few brewing methods to make a delicious tasting coffee. Instant coffee is more convenient to use and suitable for busy persons who are often in a hurry to prepare their coffee drink.

Flavor and Aroma

In terms of aroma and flavor, ground coffee beans is the way to go for having better flavor variety than instant coffee. It is because instant coffee loses most of its essential oils and chemical compositions during its industrial processing.

Generally, the addition of hot water to freshly ground coffee will draw out the most potent flavors from the coffee. Each method available for coffee brewing will allow you to brew unique cups of coffee every time. It becomes a hobby to indulge in.

Cost

Depending on the grade of beans, coffee beans are most times slightly lower in price than instant coffee. This is determined by calculating the amounts of coffee used per cup, measured against the price. Although most coffee addicts still prefer to go for the costlier ground coffee since it offers more quality.

Caffeine Concentration

Generally, Robusta beans are used for instant coffee and contains more caffeine than Arabica beans used for single origin or bean blends.

Ground coffee provides you with the option of tweaking and adjusting the caffeine content in your coffee with your extraction. Unlike that of instant coffee, where the manufacturer determines the caffeine concentration of the coffee. Adding more instant coffee to your water might help to increase the strength intensity of the cup but It only produces a very bitter (acidic) coffee drink.

Environmental Waste and Health Implications

The preparation of instant coffee comes with less environmental waste effect. It does not produce waste by-products, unlike the ground coffee, whose preparation will leave you with coffee fibers (ground particles / filters) that will need disposal after use.

More so, contrary to the belief that instant coffee causes cancer, no proof justifies that belief. Both instant coffee and ground coffee haven’t been proven to have any health implications for users. However, the use of other beverages like milk and sugar in your coffee might have a health effect.

Instant coffee shelf life

Instant coffee has a shelf life that is longer than ground coffee. Instant coffee is easy to store as it requires less storage space. It can often be stored in a clean and dry place. However, ground coffee needs to be stored in airtight containers for the coffee not to react with air and in turn, lose its freshness.

Conclusion

Overall, both instant coffee and ground coffee offers various advantages over the other. Choosing the best amongst the two might be a difficult task. As it depends on a couple of factors like cost, flavor, durability, time, and convenience, among others. Ground coffee provides you with better flavor and aroma and will leave you wanting to learn and taste more as you discover different roasters and brewing methods available.