Is Taster's Choice Instant Coffee Good for You?

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

While standard instant coffee generally contains less caffeine than regular brewed coffee (30–90 mg versus 70–140 mg per cup), its health implications are more complex. Evaluating whether Taster's Choice instant coffee is good for you requires a closer look at its ingredients, processing, and how it compares to other coffee varieties.

Quick Summary

An examination of Taster's Choice instant coffee's nutritional profile, including its antioxidant content and low-calorie nature, along with the potential downsides like higher acrylamide levels compared to brewed coffee. The health impacts depend on individual tolerance and preparation.

Key Points

Antioxidant Source: Taster's Choice, like all coffee, is rich in antioxidants that protect cells and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Higher Acrylamide Levels: Instant coffee, including Taster's Choice, contains more acrylamide than brewed coffee, but the amounts are considered safe.
Health Benefits: Moderate consumption is linked to enhanced brain function, boosted metabolism, and a lower risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
Depends on Preparation: The healthiness of your cup significantly depends on additions like sugar and high-fat creamers, which can counteract the benefits.
Caffeine Management: With generally lower caffeine content than brewed coffee, it can be a good option for those managing their intake, but sensitive individuals should still monitor effects.
Low Calorie: Plain Taster's Choice instant coffee is very low in calories, making it a suitable choice for weight management when consumed black.
Flavored vs. Plain: Flavored versions may contain added sugars and artificial ingredients that negatively impact health compared to the pure coffee blends.

What are the core ingredients of Taster's Choice?

For a standard, unflavored product like Taster's Choice House Blend, the ingredients list is simple: 100% pure premium coffee made with a blend of responsibly sourced Robusta and Arabica beans. For these products, the nutritional profile is exceptionally minimal, offering only trace amounts of calories, sodium, and nutrients unless additives are used. The health impact largely hinges on the intrinsic properties of instant coffee itself and any additions made by the consumer.

However, it is crucial to check the ingredient list for other Taster's Choice products, such as flavored versions. For instance, the Hazelnut instant coffee includes added sugar, caramelized sugar, caramel color, and artificial flavors, which significantly change its nutritional content. These extra ingredients can add unwanted calories and sugars, diminishing the health benefits of the base coffee.

Potential health benefits of Taster's Choice instant coffee

Like regular coffee, Taster's Choice offers many of the same health benefits when consumed in moderation. Coffee is one of the richest dietary sources of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. These beneficial compounds are linked to a host of positive health outcomes:

Enhanced Brain Function: The caffeine in coffee can boost alertness, improve mood, and sharpen cognitive function.
Disease Risk Reduction: Regular coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, liver disease, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
Boosted Metabolism: Caffeine is known to stimulate the metabolism and may aid in fat burning, which can support weight management goals.
Improved Liver Health: Studies suggest that coffee consumption, including instant varieties, can lower the risk of liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Mental Health Support: Coffee is linked to a lower risk of depression and suicide.

It's important to note that the concentration of these antioxidants can differ. The processing methods used to create instant coffee might reduce the level of certain compounds, but they still provide a significant amount of antioxidants.

Potential drawbacks and risks

Despite the benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider when drinking instant coffee, including Taster's Choice.

Acrylamide Content: The roasting process naturally forms a chemical called acrylamide, and instant coffee contains up to twice as much of this substance as regular brewed coffee. While animal studies link high doses of acrylamide to cancer, the amount found in instant coffee is still considered safe for human consumption by health experts.
Caffeine Sensitivity: Individuals sensitive to caffeine may experience side effects such as anxiety, jitteriness, and disrupted sleep from instant coffee. While instant coffee generally contains less caffeine, the effects are still present.
Digestive Discomfort: Coffee's acidity and stimulating properties can cause digestive issues like heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach discomfort, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.
Nutrient Absorption: Drinking instant coffee near meal times can interfere with the absorption of essential minerals like iron and calcium.

Instant coffee vs. regular coffee: A nutritional comparison

While both offer health benefits, there are subtle nutritional and compositional differences between instant and brewed coffee that are worth highlighting. The table below outlines some of the key points.


Feature	Taster's Choice Instant Coffee	Regular Brewed Coffee
Preparation	Incredibly quick and convenient; just add hot water to the powder.	Requires more time and equipment (e.g., drip machine, French press).
Antioxidants	Contains beneficial antioxidants, but some sources indicate levels might be slightly lower due to processing.	Generally contains a higher concentration of certain antioxidants like chlorogenic acids.
Caffeine	Typically contains less caffeine per cup (30–90 mg). Decaf options are available.	Usually higher in caffeine per cup (70–140 mg).
Acrylamide	Contains higher levels of acrylamide, a byproduct of roasting, though still considered safe.	Contains less acrylamide than instant coffee.
Ingredients	The House Blend is 100% coffee, but flavored versions may contain added sugars and artificial ingredients.	Typically consists of only ground coffee and water, unless sweeteners or creamers are added by the consumer.

The bottom line on Taster's Choice

So, is Taster's Choice good for you? For most healthy individuals, a moderate daily intake of plain Taster's Choice instant coffee is likely not harmful and can provide many of the same health benefits as regular coffee. It’s a low-calorie beverage packed with antioxidants and can positively influence brain function, metabolism, and disease risk. The higher acrylamide content, while a valid concern, is present in very small, safe quantities.

However, a key factor is how you prepare your coffee. If you opt for flavored Taster's Choice varieties, or regularly add significant amounts of sugar, flavored syrups, and high-fat creamers to your cup, the health benefits can be outweighed by the added calories and ingredients. Personal health conditions, caffeine sensitivity, and digestive issues are also important considerations.

For those seeking the maximum health benefits from their coffee, some experts suggest that freshly brewed coffee may have a slight edge due to its potentially higher antioxidant levels and lower acrylamide content. However, for convenience and cost, Taster's Choice provides a comparable, and in many ways, very similar health profile.

Ultimately, a healthy approach to consuming Taster's Choice instant coffee involves moderation and mindfulness of what you add to your cup. For specific dietary concerns, consulting a healthcare professional is always recommended.

Conclusion

On the whole, Taster's Choice instant coffee is a reasonably healthy beverage for most people when consumed in moderation and without excessive added sugars and creamers. It offers many of the well-documented health benefits of coffee, including antioxidant protection and a lowered risk for certain diseases. While it contains more acrylamide than brewed coffee, the levels are not considered a significant health risk. For those with caffeine sensitivities or digestive issues, adjusting intake or opting for decaffeinated versions may be necessary. By focusing on simple preparation and a balanced overall diet, Taster's Choice can fit into a healthy lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While Taster's Choice provides many of the same health benefits, some experts believe brewed coffee may have a slight advantage due to higher levels of certain antioxidants and lower acrylamide content. The overall health impact depends heavily on preparation.

Instant coffee, including Taster's Choice, does contain more acrylamide than regular brewed coffee due to its processing method. However, the amounts are well within safety guidelines and are not considered harmful for most people.

The plain varieties, like House Blend, do not contain added sugar. However, flavored versions, such as Hazelnut, do include added sugars and other flavorings, so it is important to check the label.

No, plain Taster's Choice is very low in calories and will not cause weight gain on its own. Weight gain is more likely when excessive sugar, cream, or flavored creamers are added to the coffee.

Coffee's acidity can irritate the stomach and worsen symptoms for individuals with conditions like acid reflux or IBS. It is best to monitor your body's reaction and potentially opt for low-acid options or consume it after a meal.

Yes, but with caution. Instant coffee generally contains less caffeine than regular brewed coffee. However, if you are particularly sensitive, you may still experience jitters, anxiety, or sleep disturbances and may want to consider a decaf version.

While the processing of instant coffee might slightly lower the concentration of some antioxidants, it is still a potent source of these beneficial compounds. One study even found instant coffee may contain higher amounts of certain antioxidants.