Discovering the Best Instant Coffee: A Taste Test by Auckland Baristas - New Zealand Herald

Latino Foods
Jun 9
2 min read

In a recent feature by the New Zealand Herald, two Auckland baristas set out to find the best instant coffee on the market. They sampled six different brands and rated each one based on aroma, flavor profile, and overall enjoyment. Here’s a breakdown of their findings.

Coffee #1: Nescafé GOLD Rating: 4.5/10 Notes: This coffee had a familiar, somewhat nostalgic taste that reminded one barista of their mom's coffee in the late ’90s. It had a decent aroma, nutty and pleasant, but the taste was relatively mild.

Coffee #2: Starbucks coffee, Colombian Origin Rating: 3.25/10 Notes: This one was fuller-bodied but a bit too strong and didn't offer much complexity in flavor.

Coffee #3: Moccona Rating: 7.37/10 Notes: With a floral aroma similar to a Chemex or V60 brew, this coffee stood out as more sophisticated and aromatic than the first two.

Coffee #4: JED'S COFFEE Rating: 8.5/10 Notes: This was a nuttier, more complex coffee with a hazelnut aroma and notes of chocolate in the flavor profile. It was bolder and less sweet than some of the others.

Coffee #5: Flight Coffee Rating: 7.62/10 Notes: They noted this coffee had a unique aftertaste and a slightly higher acidity, making it an enjoyable cup overall.

Coffee #6 (The Winner - Juan Valdez): Brand: Juan Valdez Rating: 8.75/10 Notes: This Colombian coffee won the taste test due to its rich flavor complexity and evolving sweetness as it cooled. The baristas loved its layered flavor profile and overall quality.

Conclusion: In the end, Juan Valdez took the crown for the best instant coffee in this lineup, proving that a good instant coffee can be both complex and delicious.