Instant vs. Ground Coffee: What’s the Difference?

Is Ground Coffee the Same as Instant Coffee?

Ground and instant coffee are two very distinct beings. Put simply, ground coffee consists of finely crushed coffee beans whilst instant coffee undergoes a unique process to become soluble granules. There’s a pretty big disparity when it comes to flavour, quality, and preparation, with ground coffee coming out on top for fresh taste and complex flavour profiles.

What Is Ground Coffee?

Ground coffee is the product of carefully-roasted coffee beans, which are then finely ground to varying levels of coarseness. Not all coffee beans are created equal, obviously, otherwise our range of different blends would be obsolete.

The taste of ground coffee largely depends on the natural flavour characteristics of the coffee beans used. These characteristics are the result of where and how the beans were farmed, processed, and harvested.

The better quality the bean, the better quality the brew. We know this for certain because we source all our beans from amazing growers who have decades of coffee knowledge and expertise and they taste really, really good.

The degree of roasting, whether light, medium, or dark, also influences the final flavour of your brew, from the bright and clean notes of lightly-roasted beans to the bold and smoky undertones of dark roasts. It's why we always tailor the roast of our beans to enhance the aroma, body, and taste of the blend.

The beans are then ground depending on your brewing method. Unlike instant coffee, ground coffee will not dissolve in water. Instead, it needs time to diffuse its flavour into the water (as it does in a Cafetière) during a brewing process.

Our ground coffee is an omni-grind, meaning it's suitable for brewing in a cafetière, moka pot, or filter. For extra freshness, we recommend buying whole bean coffee and grinding the beans at home.

Most ground coffees will use Arabica beans, which tend to have a more complex flavour profile and bolder tasting notes. See our Ultimate Guide to Ground Coffee for all the info.

What Is Instant Coffee?

On the flipside, instant coffee takes, quite literally, an instant route to your cup. It still begins with roasted coffee beans, but these tend to be Robusta beans rather than Arabica. After roasting, the beans are brewed into a concentrated coffee liquid.

This liquid is then carefully dehydrated to form soluble coffee granules. The result is a product that dissolves easily in hot water, offering a quick and convenient way to enjoy coffee without the need for brewing equipment. However, this process often impacts the final flavour and aroma, resulting in a milder, less exciting cup of coffee when compared to freshly brewed ground coffee.

Can You Use Ground Coffee as Instant?

Sort of, but not really. While the primary purpose of ground coffee is for traditional brewing methods, such as drip brewing, cafetière, or espresso machines, you can technically use ground coffee as a makeshift instant coffee substitute.

To use ground coffee as an instant coffee alternative, you’d need to follow these steps:

Measure the grounds: determine the desired strength of your coffee and measure the appropriate amount of ground coffee. Typically, a standard ratio is one to two tablespoons of coffee per 250ml hot water, but you can adjust it to your taste.
Heat water: heat water to near-boiling point, ideally between 90°C to 96°C. Emphasis on "near-boiling" here. Please do not burn the coffee. We're begging you.
Prepare your cup: place the measured ground coffee into a coffee cup or mug.
Add hot water: pour the hot water over the ground coffee, ensuring that all the coffee grounds are saturated.
Stir and steep: give the mixture a quick stir to agitate the grounds, then let it steep for approximately 4 minutes. This allows the coffee to infuse the water.
Filter or decant: after steeping, you can filter the coffee by pouring it through a fine-mesh sieve. Alternatively, if you don't mind some sediment, you can let the grounds settle and carefully sip your coffee, leaving the grounds at the bottom of the cup.

Using ground coffee as instant coffee may result in a slightly different flavour profile than traditional instant coffee. The texture may also be coarser due to the presence of coffee grounds, and there may be some sediment in your cup. In other words, it’s not how we recommend you drink your coffee.

But there are some super simple ways to use ground coffee, minus the mess, for a delicious, high-quality brew that’s more than just a caffeine hit. Check out our how to brew guides for our quick and easy methods, or shop barista-quality equipment.

Differences between Instant and Ground Coffee

Brew Method

The brewing process for instant coffee and ground coffee differs significantly in terms of time and method. Instant coffee is, unsurprisingly, the faster option: simply dissolve it in hot water.

In contrast, ground coffee requires a little more time and some tools. You can use methods like V60 drip filters, espresso machines, or, our personal favourite, the beloved Cafetière (French press). If you appreciate a great cup of coffee, it’s worth it.

Quality

Another key distinction between instant and ground coffee is quality: there’s a reason you wouldn’t get instant coffee served to you in a café. Instant coffee is usually a little more bitter and a lot more bland than ground coffee. Ground coffee offers a more robust and nuanced flavour profile, which is why it’s our preferred choice and why instant coffee so often gets trashed by coffee-connoisseurs.

Taste

Instant coffee is usually made from Robusta beans, known for their bitter and intense flavour compared to the milder, more complex Arabica beans used for ground coffee.

Additionally, instant coffee typically struggles to retain the essential oils found in freshly ground coffee, which contribute to a smoother and less acidic taste, leaving you with a slightly sour cup that could do with a huge helping of milk and sugar. Ground coffee generally has a more sophisticated, fresher taste.

Caffeine Content

If caffeine content is a top priority for you, ground coffee generally holds the edge. The brewing process allows for better caffeine extraction from the coffee grounds, resulting in a higher caffeine content than instant coffee. So, if you need an extra push to get you through the morning (and if you don’t, please tell us your secrets), ground coffee is the one. Although, it is possible to get great tasting decaf ground coffee, too.