Instant coffee is a household staple in the Philippines. We are known coffee drinkers, and this is one of the reasons why there are many coffee shops across the countryーfrom big ones like Starbucks to humble local coffee shops. However, nothing beats our love for instant coffee and creamer. With this rise of 3-in-1s from brands, such as Nescafe and Kopiko, it's not a secret that instant coffee powder or instant coffee granules are not one-size-fits-all.
You might like your coffee, black, creamy, or extra sweet. So in this article, we're giving you our recommendations among the best instant coffee brands in the Philippines, as well as a buying guide, fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales. Plus, we've got notes on instant coffee calories for you as well. Scroll for more!
Quick List - Top Instant Coffees
Nescafe
A Classic Coffee Taste for Every Morning That Is Made From Locally Grown Robusta Beans
Starbucks
Recreate Your Favorite Caramel Macchiato With This Luscious Coffee With Buttery Caramel Notes
Kaffea
Instant Coffee That Uses Coconut Sugar for Extra Health Benefits
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
For more information, read through our buying guide below.
Arabica and Robusta beans are the two most common types of coffee beans worldwide, but in the Philippines, homegrown and cultivated Kapeng Barako is also widely-known.
Arabica makes up 60% of the world's production of coffee because of its popularity and demand. Arabica coffee has a sweet flavor that includes floral and fruity notes, and it has higher acidity content. Since the price of Arabica beans tends to be more expensive compared to other beans, they are not usually used in instant coffees.
Robusta is the second most popular variety of coffee. It is characterized by a more bitter and deep flavor with earthy, smokey, and nutty notes. Compared to Arabica beans, Robusta has a higher content of caffeine. Robusta beans are easier to grow, so they’re mostly used in instant coffees or mixes.
Another type of coffee bean that is popular in the Philippines is Kapeng Barako, which is classified under Liberica species. It is grown and cultivated locally and is characterized by its strong, woody flavor. Quick fun factーLiberica beans are larger than the others, often asymmetrical, and they’re the only coffee bean in the world that has such an irregular shape!
When choosing coffee, one of the main factors we look at is its taste. Some people like their coffee strong and bitter, while some prefer it light. This is where the type of coffee roast comes into the picture. Coffee’s aroma, flavor, and depth of bitterness are determined by its roasting.
Pre-mixed instant coffees or widely known as 3-in-1coffee, already have a pre-determined amount of coffee, milk, and sugar. Depending on your taste, some brands offer different ratios of these 3, and some even replicate lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and more. It’s a very quick way of making your own cup since you don’t have to get each ingredient for your preferred taste.
Recently, there are also 5-in-1s, 7-in-1s, and more that offer a mix of different ingredients such as collagen powder, ginseng, and so on that claim to have health benefits. Do note, however, that some may find pre-mixed coffees on the unhealthier side because of their sugar content.
If you would like a late-night coffee but you’re afraid that you won’t be able to sleep after drinking or if you are just simply cutting back on caffeine, choose a decaf coffee. It does not completely mean that there is no caffeine content but it simply means that there is less caffeine than its regular counterpart.
Always on the go? Go for instant coffee packed in sachets! These are the most convenient as they come in predetermined proportions, so you'll only need hot water. This is great for people who don't have much time to craft their own coffee blend.
Meanwhile, if you're a coffee aficionado and require a little more know-how in measuring for your coffee mix, instant coffee packed in a jar would be your best bet! This will allow you to have control of how much coffee to use, letting you be more creative with your drink. On top of all that, it produces less waste footprint!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nescafe Classic Instant Coffee | ![]() | A Classic Coffee Taste for Every Morning That Is Made From Locally Grown Robusta Beans | |
2 | UCC Class One Premium | ![]() | First-Class Quality Coffee With a Rich, Crisp Flavor and a Black Finish | |
3 | Starbucks Caramel Latte Premium Coffee Mix|21.5 x 4 | ![]() | Recreate Your Favorite Caramel Macchiato With This Luscious Coffee With Buttery Caramel Notes | |
4 | Kaffea Healthy Coffee Blend with Coconut Sugar|12 sachets | ![]() | Instant Coffee That Uses Coconut Sugar for Extra Health Benefits | |
5 | Kopiko Brown Coffee|25g x 10 sachets | ![]() | 3-in-1 Coffee That Uses Brown Sugar for Just the Right Sweetness | |
6 | Nescafe Taster's Choice Decaf | ![]() | Smooth and Medium-Light Roast Coffee That Is 99.97% Caffeine-Free | |
7 | Great Taste Great Taste White 3-in-1 Twin Pack|10x50g (Pack of 2) | ![]() | A Combination of Real Coffee Taste and Rich Vanilla Cream That Resembles a Latte | |
8 | Maxim Mocha Gold Mild | ![]() | Smooth, Mild, and Well-Balanced Flavor With a Hint of Creaminess | |
9 | Cafe Puro Cafe Puro Instant Coffee | ![]() | 100% Natural Mix That Lets You Enjoy the Taste of Brewed Coffee in an Instant | |
10 | San Miguel Foods San Mig Super Coffee Original Sugar-Free|10s | ![]() | A Low-Fat and Sugar-Free Mix for Everyday Cup of Guilt-Free Coffee |
This product is one of the pioneers in the Philippine coffee industry. Before the rise of 3-in-1s, this was a classic household staple because of its rich and strong coffee taste, delicious when taken as is or with extra milk and sugar. Depending on your taste preference, this coffee works well with anything!
Reviewers of this product mention that it has a thick body and full-strength flavor that is not too strong. It also has good quality with almost no bitter aftertaste. On top of all that, Nescafe claims that they source their Robusta beans from Filipino farmers, in support of local livelihood.
UCC is widely-raved for their black coffee, and this Class One Premium definitely does not disappoint! Made from 100% Brazilian beans, this instant coffee has a rich, crisp flavor with a black finish.
Its coffee granules also dissolve easily even in cold water so you can enjoy a cup of hot or iced coffee effortlessly. In addition, UCC commits to its meticulous roasting techniques, guaranteeing to deliver an instant coffee that tastes just as if it was freshly brewed.
Too busy to order your Starbucks staple in the morning? No problem! Now you can recreate their premium Caramel Macchiato at home with the Caramel Latte Premium Coffee Mix—for less. The premium mix is also four times healthier than your regular Macchiato order, as it only has 61 calories, even with semi-skimmed milk and white sugar!
Made with 100% Arabica coffee, this product is expertly blended with dairy milk and has a deliciously buttery caramel flavor. It's also topped with a soft layer of foam, making it just like it's straight out of a Starbucks store! Now, that's definitely one way to enjoy quality coffee at home.
This product is one of the healthiest alternatives for instant coffee. It uses coconut sugar mixed with coconut cream as a natural sweetener. Coconut sugar regulates blood sugar levels and aids weight management, preventing obesity.
While this product may be a little bit on the pricier end, buyers love it because of its added health value. Kaffea includes L-Carnitine, which helps burn excess fat, plus glutathione, and collagen to improve skin texture and elasticity. Other beneficial ingredients include Agaricus mushroom, Ganoderma, grapeseed, and CoQ10.
This is also perfect for those who are prone to hyperacidity or acid reflux since reviewers say that this coffee does not upset their sensitive stomachs at all.
Kopiko Brown Coffee is probably one of the most popular choices of 3-in-1 coffee, especially with college students! Its flavor is quite mild yet it has a strong coffee aroma. Kopiko Brown boasts its slight caramel finish with no bitterness. It's also not too creamy and has just the right balance of sweetness.
Dissolve it in a little bit of hot water, pour some cold water, add some ice, and voila! Instant iced coffee. Reviewers have praised this coffee blend as it gives you the best value for your money. Not only is it convenient and easy to prepare, but the result is also tastyーsurely a perfect way to brighten up your mornings!
Smooth with no bitter after-taste, this product is equally as delicious as its regular counterpart. It is 99.97% caffeine-free, so you don't need to worry about your caffeine intake for the day! If you're the type who gets jittery after drinking a cup of coffee but still crave that deep coffee taste, this might be the one for you.
True to its name, it really is the Taster's Choice. Reviewers say that despite being decaffeinated, this product still has a bold flavor and a little bit of a fruity taste to it. This product comes in a glass jar that seals its freshness and aromaーand it can make up to 210 cups!
It is no secret that many Filipinos enjoy a sweet cup of coffee to start their day with. Marketed as the "First White Coffee in the Philippines," this product promises a creamy and slightly sweet cup of coffee, perfect for that energy boost in the morning or as a quick mid-day pick-me-up drink!
This drink can be enjoyed either hot or iced, so it can be enjoyed even during sweltering days! However, if you're mindful about your instant coffee calorie intake, this one's around 140 calories with 17 grams of sugar, so you might want to consume this drink in moderation.
For the K-Drama fans, we're sure that you have seen this instant coffee numerous times in various shows or movies! And it is highly advertised for a good reasonーit's an instant coffee that boasts the perfect balance between caffeine and sugar. So if you're looking for something that's not too sweet and not too strong, this might be just right for you.
This has other flavor variants too, but the Mocha Gold has a smooth and mild taste that many customers love! To fully enjoy its taste, make sure that you dissolve one stick's content into 150 ml of hot water. However, if you want to cut back a little on sugar, you can slightly pinch on the stick's bottom part so that all the sugar won't be dispensed in one go!
Cafe Puro prides itself with its 100% natural ingredients, available at a very affordable price! Since this product is in a jar, this is an economical option for the coffee-lovers, plus you can keep it in your pantry for a relatively long time.
Best for household pantry staple for a day's quick cup of coffee, reviewers say that this product's taste is exactly just like brewed coffee. Many say that it is best consumed without sugar to fully enjoy its rich taste. This is also a good choice for those who like to get creative with their drinks!
Most 3-in-1 coffees are loaded with sugar and creamer, which makes them considerably less healthy. This product, however, is sugar-free and low fat, with only 40 calories per servingーthe perfect alternative for the health-conscious! You'll also be pleased to know that it uses a non-dairy creamer.
As for the taste, this particular variant has a lighter taste and is a little bit similar to mocha. Aside from the original flavor, this product also has mild and strong flavor options. This product has been a household favorite for a while now, and it flies off the shelves pretty quickly, so grab yours now to try the delicious, guilt-free goodness.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
According to studies, coffee may raise your cholesterol, but it depends on how you brew it and how much you drink.
A 2007 study in Turkey actually found that simmered coffee and french press produce higher levels of cafestol than coffee pots with filters. Meanwhile, instant coffee produces little to no cafestol at all! Moreover, coffee may raise alarming levels of cholesterol if you take 5 or more cups a day. So if you're just drinking instant coffee in restrained amounts, you should be okay!
Typically, it will lose its flavor over time and will become stale. Instant coffee's shelf life ranges from 2 to 20 years, depending on the type of coffee, but if it presents with a bad odor or if molds appear, it is best to get rid of it immediately.
Click the link down below to find out our recommended healthier sugar alternatives that you could enjoy with your coffee and other drinks as well.
10 Best Sugar Alternatives in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
10 Best Coconut Milk in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
10 Best Local Coffees in the Philippines 2022 | Figures of Beans, Commune, and More
10 Best 3-in-1 Coffees in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
Author: I. Honda
Re-editor: Bea Lleander
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Nescafe|Classic Instant Coffee
No. 2: UCC|Class One Premium
No. 3: Starbucks|Caramel Latte Premium Coffee Mix|21.5 x 4
No. 4: Kaffea|Healthy Coffee Blend with Coconut Sugar|12 sachets
No. 5: Kopiko|Brown Coffee|25g x 10 sachets
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Beauty
Health
Household goods
PCs and laptops
Home appliances and electronics
Cameras
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Mom and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, and DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Home improvement and tools
Smartphones and tablets
Banking and finance
Insurance
Audio
Smartphone applications
Others