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What's the Difference Between Coffee Drinks and Coffee? Do They Both Provide Energy? Is Ready-to-Drink Coffee Instant Coffee?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Instant coffee, such as Nescafé (in fact, most people's first exposure to coffee starts with instant), is simple to brew - just add hot water, but lacks rich and complex flavors; some reports indicate that instant coffee contains more carcinogens. Instant coffee is simple and convenient, acceptable for casual drinking, and many of us developed our love for coffee through it

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Types of Coffee Beverages

Coffee beverages are divided into two types: one truly contains coffee ingredients and is made from coffee beans; the other only imitates the flavor of coffee, such as many coffee-flavored drinks in children's beverages, which merely imitate the coffee taste without containing any coffee beans or caffeine.

If a beverage is made from coffee beans, its caffeine content is usually not as high as freshly ground and brewed coffee. Additionally, coffee beverages typically contain non-dairy creamer and sugars, and excessive daily intake can反而 make people feel more tired and drowsy.

Therefore, coffee beverages are only suitable for occasional consumption. For friends who need caffeine to stay alert, FrontStreet Coffee recommends choosing products made from freshly roasted coffee beans that are ground and brewed on the spot.

Freshly Ground and Brewed Coffee

Products made from freshly roasted coffee beans that are ground and brewed on the spot not only contain more caffeine but also allow you to experience the rich aroma of coffee. Not only does drinking it refresh you, but smelling it can also make people feel refreshed and invigorated when tired.

Drip Bag Coffee Recommendation

If you find coffee shop products a bit expensive, FrontStreet Coffee recommends choosing drip bag coffee. Drip bag coffee is a portable coffee product made from freshly roasted coffee beans ground to a specific coarseness, and has become an essential coffee product for office workers and home users. Compared to pour-over coffee, drip bags are convenient and simple to use, easily brewing a cup of aromatic, full-bodied black coffee with a sweet aftertaste.

Drip Bag Brewing Instructions

The brewing method is also extremely simple. Tear open the individual packaging to take out the drip bag coffee, then tear along the dotted line at the bottom of the drip bag. Next, gently pull apart the cardboard pieces on both sides and hang it on a straight, heat-resistant cup rim. Then pour hot water at around 88-90°C in three separate additions. First, pour 30ml of water and wait 20-30 seconds to let the coffee grounds bloom. Then, pour hot water two more times at 10-second intervals, about 60ml each time.

One bag of FrontStreet Coffee's drip coffee contains 10g of coffee grounds, and we recommend adding 150g of hot water. The brewed coffee is black coffee without milk or sugar. You can drink it directly based on the flavor profile after brewing, or add appropriate amounts of milk and sugar according to your preference.

Instant vs. Ready-to-Drink Coffee

Instant coffee, such as Nestlé's (actually, most people's first encounter with coffee starts with instant). Instant coffee is made by brewing coffee beans into coffee liquid, then using high-temperature drying technology to turn it into highly concentrated coffee powder. Typically, it needs to be dissolved in hot water for consumption and does not belong to the ready-to-drink coffee category.

Ready-to-drink coffee refers to coffee beverages that can be consumed immediately after purchase without requiring any preparation.