Coffee 101: Instant Coffee vs. 3-in-1 Coffee

What is the difference between instant coffee and three-in-one coffee and which one should you be drinking? Let's find out.

What is Instant Coffee?

Instant coffee is a soluble type of coffee that comes in two different forms. Depending on how it was dried, instant coffee can either be fine powder or crystal granules. To make coffee powder, brewed coffee is put through the spray drying process where high heat is used to transform it into fine powder. To make coffee granules, brewed coffee is put through the freeze-drying process where it is frozen solid. Then through the process of sublimation, water is extracted and small chunks of coffee granules are left behind. Contrary to a common misconception, instant coffee is made from pure coffee beans.

What is 3-in-1 Coffee?

Three-in-one coffee is a type of coffee mix comprised of three main ingredients: instant coffee, sugar, and creamer. Unlike pure instant coffee, three-in-one coffee comes with additives like sweetener, creamer, and artificial flavors, making it more similar to cappuccino mix. Specifically, the typical ingredients in three-in-one coffee include sugar, glucose syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, flavoring additives, salt, and instant coffee powder. 

Should You Drink 3-in-1 Coffee?

Now that you know what 3-in-1 coffee is, should you be drinking it? That is really up to you. Three-in-one packets are convenient and sweet, but everything comes pre-mixed, so you can’t choose how much sugar or creamer ends up in your cup. If you’d rather decide that for yourself, pure instant coffee is the way to go.

What’s Actually in a 3-in-1 Packet?

One quick glance at the back of any three-in-one coffee packet will tell you what you’re getting. For example, a common ingredient in three-in-one coffee is glucose syrup, which is basically a concentrated sweetener added on top of the regular sugar.

Another common ingredient is hydrogenated palm kernel oil, a processed vegetable fat that makes up the “creamer” part of the mix. And in the typical ingredient list above, the instant coffee itself comes last.

Conclusion

Overall, we’re pure instant coffee fans. For a quick and delicious cup of coffee, brew yourself pure instant coffee and add your own sugar and creamer after. This way you get to have full control over exactly what goes into your cup.

Make a quality cup of instant coffee with Waka Coffee. Get it here.

This article is for general information only and isn't medical or nutritional advice. If you have questions about caffeine, your diet or a health condition, talk to your doctor.