Organic instant coffee is perfect for on-the-go moments. It’s made with 100% Arabica beans and has a rich, bold flavor that will keep you going all day long – you just need to dissolve a packet in hot water.
Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about instant organic coffee, including the best brands and our buying guide.
Not everyone has the time necessary to make a great cup of coffee the old-fashioned way, and that’s where organic instant coffee comes in.
There are plenty of organic instant coffee products on the market, so how do you choose the best one? We’ve researched for you and compiled a list of our top picks.
Table of Contents
- Top-Rated Organic Instant Coffee – Summary
- Organic Instant Coffee: Everything You Need to Know
- Best Organic Instant Coffee (Buying Guide)
- Best Organic Instant Coffee (Reviews)
- FAQ
- Closing thoughts
Top-Rated Organic Instant Coffee (Summary)
Organic Instant Coffee: Everything You Need to Know
Let’s start by breaking down the differences between instant coffee and brewed coffee, as well as organic instant coffee and regular instant coffee to see how they’re made.
Instant Coffee vs Brewed Coffee
Instant coffee is brewed to extract and transform the flavors into granules that you later dehydrate using water (or milk), making it ready to drink.
On the other hand, regular brewed coffee is made by adding hot water to ground coffee beans and letting them steep for a few minutes before straining them.
Organic Instant Coffee vs Regular Instant Coffee
Organic coffee is made from organic coffee beans grown without harmful pesticides and herbicides. It results in a healthier product that is also better for the environment.
Organic coffees are usually Fair Trade certified, meaning the farmers who grew the beans were paid a fair wage.
However, obtaining certification is not always easy, so not all coffees are officially certified. Unless you see the USDA Certified seal on the packaging, coffee may not be as organic as it claims to be.
How Are Instant Regular and Organic Instant Coffee Made?
Technically speaking, both regular instant coffee and organic instant coffee are made using the same chemical process:
- The coffee beans are roasted to bring out their inner flavor and aroma.
- Next, the flavor and aroma are extracted using pressurized water.
- The flavor is then concentrated through evaporation or freeze concentration.
- Finally, the concentrated flavoring is transformed into granules through freeze-drying or spray-drying.
The only difference between the two types of instant coffee is whether or not the beans used were grown organically or conventionally.
Best Organic Instant Coffee (Buying Guide)
Let’s take a closer look at what makes the best organic instant coffee when it comes to certification, taste, roast, serving size, and price.
Certified Organic
If you’re willing to spend extra money on instant coffee to ensure it’s organic, go the extra mile and check if it has an organic certification.
It’s an essential aspect because organic coffee is subject to different regulations than non-organic coffee. And certain countries have stricter organic regulations than others.
The easiest way to tell if a product is organic is by looking for the organic certification seal, which will have either the USDA organic logo or one from another certifying body.
Taste
No matter how organic coffee might be, you’re not going to want to drink it if it tastes poorly.
When looking for organic instant coffee, try and find a flavor profile that you like, whether it’s strong and bold or light and delicate.
Evidently, you can’t know if you’ll like a coffee without tasting it. And that’s why most manufacturers usually list the coffee’s flavor or strength on the packaging, such as giving it a rating or a label like strong.
Roast
Like with brewed coffee, the roast affects the coffee’s taste and aroma. Generally, the darker the roast, the more intense the flavor will be.
But keep in mind that it also means that more of the coffee’s natural oils will be roasted out, too.
If you want a light organic coffee, look for blends with a light roast. On the other hand, if you prefer something stronger, go for dark roast coffee. Medium roast is reserved for people who want a balanced taste.
Serving Size
Instant coffee is sold in two forms, and each has its pros and cons:
- Large bags or jars filled with granules
- Boxes filled with single-serve packets
Large bags or jars filled with organic instant coffee tend to be significantly cheaper per ounce. But you have to be careful not to let it sit for too long or it will start to lose its freshness.
On the other hand, single-serve packets are more expensive upfront. But they’re also more convenient because you can take a few with you wherever you go and have a cup of coffee in a heartbeat.
Price
Just because something is organic doesn’t mean it has to be expensive, and the same goes for organic instant coffee.
Some great organic instant coffees are affordable without sacrificing quality.
So, before settling on a specific organic instant coffee brand, consider your budget and compare prices.
Best Organic Instant Coffee (Reviews)
Now that you know a bit more about organic coffee, let’s take a look at our top five picks:
1. Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee
The first organic instant coffee on our list comes from the German company Mount Hagen. It has an excellent reputation in the coffee business, bringing some of the highest-quality coffee in the world.
This organic coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans grown in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Because they are made using 100% Arabica (unlike most instant coffee made from very bitter Robusta), the resulting brew will have a very mild flavor and less caffeine.
The coffee beans are freeze-dried immediately after being harvested, which helps to preserve their flavor and aroma even further.
Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee is available in both jar and bag form, with the jar holding enough granules for approximately 50 servings, which is more than enough to give you an idea of how good it is.
However, if you’re on the road and only need a few servings, Mount Hagen also offers single-serve packets. The packaging is different, but the coffee is the same, so give it a try.
Pros
- Single-serve packets are great when you’re traveling
- Milder flavor compared to other instant coffees
- 100% organic and Fair Trade certified
- Freeze-dried for optimal freshness
Cons
- The price tag
Bottom Line
There’s a reason why Mount Hagen has such a long history of making quality coffee. Try it out and see for yourself.
2. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix with Lion’s Mane
This next entry on our list is a bit different than the others, as it’s not just an organic instant coffee, but rather an organic instant coffee mix that contains Lion’s Mane mushrooms.
The coffee beans used are organic, and the whole mix is non-GMO and vegan friendly.
The idea behind this coffee is that the Lion’s Mane mushrooms help improve cognitive function and memory. At the same time, the organic coffee provides you with a nice energy boost, thanks to the caffeine content.
Fortunately enough, just because this coffee mix contains mushrooms doesn’t mean that adding milk and hot water will make it taste like mushroom cream soup.
Another great thing about Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix with Lion’s Mane is that it also helps keep the caffeine levels down, so those who are particularly sensitive won’t have anything to worry about.
Another mushroom added in the mix is Chaga, and it’s an absolute wonder in terms of sheer antioxidant content. So this coffee keeps you alert as well as healthy.
Pros
- It contains organic coffee and organic Lion’s Mane mushrooms
- It has a lower caffeine content than most other coffees
- Aids in cognitive function and memory
- Non-GMO and vegan friendly
Cons
- It may not contain enough caffeine for some people’s taste
Bottom Line
If plain coffee with milk and sugar doesn’t seem to cut it anymore, then maybe this mix of coffee and mushrooms will do the trick.
3. VitaCup Perfect Low Acid Instant Coffee
While our first entry is a great overall organic instant coffee and the second is an interesting coffee mix, our third entry is specifically designed for those of you looking for low-acid coffee.
This organic instant coffee from VitaCup is made with 100% Arabica beans that were roasted and ground to perfection. It’s also Fair Trade certified.
However, what sets this organic instant coffee apart is that it’s been specifically designed with a low acidity level.
So if you often experience heartburn or acid reflux after drinking coffee, you’ll be able to drink this organic instant coffee without any issues.
Like most low-acid coffee, VitaCup Perfect Low Acid Instant Coffee is a dark roast. It’s ideal if you have a soft spot for deep, rich, chocolaty flavors with hints of spices that please the palate.
Another great thing about this organic instant coffee is that it comes in single-serve packets, so you can make just the right amount for yourself without having any leftover coffee.
Pros
- Perfect for coffee-related stomach issues
- 100% organic and Fair Trade certified
- Mycotoxin-free and healthy
- Delicious deep, rich flavor
Cons
- The price tag
Bottom Line
Instant coffee is often associated with a bitter taste and high acidity, but this blend from VitaCup is definitely an exception.
4. Anthony’s Organic Instant Coffee
Our fourth entry is an organic instant coffee that focuses on being as easy to dissolve as possible, making it perfect for those who are always on the go.
This organic instant coffee from Anthony’s is made with 100% organic Arabica beans that have been freeze-dried for optimal freshness. It’s also GMO-free.
What sets this organic instant coffee apart is that it doesn’t contain any added sugars or preservatives, making it a healthy choice for those interested in a quick caffeine fix.
Another of this coffee’s selling points is just how healthy it is, especially considering that it’s gluten-free, rich in antioxidants, and 100% organic.
However, just because something is healthy doesn’t mean that it can’t taste delicious. And you can easily feel the mild yet complex flavor of the Arabica beans when drinking Anthony’s Organic Instant Coffee.
Despite being used mainly as an instant coffee, feel free to use it for making desserts as well; the granules are so fine that you won’t feel them at all, even when mixed with whipped cream.
Pros
- Great for use in both coffee and baking
- No added sugars or preservatives
- Ultra-fine micro-ground coffee
- 100% organic and GMO-free
Cons
- It’s fairly weak, so you’ll need more servings for stronger coffee
Bottom Line
Instant coffee is so popular because of how fast you can prepare it. However, this coffee from Anthony’s is on a whole different level.
5. Highground Organic Instant Coffee
The last organic instant coffee on our list is from Highground, made with nothing but the finest Arabica beans.
It’s Fair Trade certified, GMO-free, and roasted in small batches to ensure optimal freshness.
Highground Organic Instant Coffee has a rich, full-bodied flavor, perfect for those who like their coffee on the stronger side. It’s also one of the most affordable organic instant coffees on our list.
Of course, if you’re trying to cut back on your caffeine intake, don’t worry since there’s a decaf version, too. Besides the fact that it has no caffeine, nothing is changed.
Depending on how you prefer it, you can buy it as either a jar with granules or as a box filled with 10 single-serve packets.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Rich, full-bodied flavor
- Fair Trade certified and GMO-free
- Available as regular and decaf
Cons
- Some say it’s too bitter
Bottom Line
Just because a coffee is organic doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. Check out the price tag on this product from Highground.
Best Organic Instant Coffee (FAQ)
Discover more info about instant organic coffee:
Does organic instant coffee contain acrylamide?
Organic coffee beans have just as much of a chance of containing acrylamide as non-organic coffee beans.
This chemical is produced during the roasting process, so you can find it in instant coffee – check the product’s label or certification.
Is organic instant coffee good for you?
There is no definitive answer to this question since there are conflicting studies.
However, most people believe that organic foods and beverages are healthier because they are not exposed to the same amount of chemicals and pesticides as non-organic products.
What is the healthiest instant coffee?
Try Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee.
Is organic instant coffee healthy?
Organic instant coffee is somewhat healthier than regular instant coffee, although the differences are insignificant.
It’s because any trace amounts of pesticides used to treat the coffee beans may have been passed down, turning the instant coffee extraction process.
What is the healthiest coffee brand?
While this particular coffee brand may not have any instant organic coffee options, we would say that LifeBoost is arguably the healthiest coffee brand around. Check out our LifeBoost coffee review to learn more.
Closing Thoughts on Organic Instant Coffee
Now that we’ve answered some of the most common questions about organic instant coffee, we hope that you feel better equipped to decide which one is best for you.
Also, if you’re also thinking about buying regular organic coffee but have no idea where to start, check out the best organic coffee brands.
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