CATEGORY

Soluble Coffee Drink Mixes

2007 CHEFSBEST® AWARD FOR BEST TASTE WINNER

Folgers Café Latte

What Makes a Great Soluble Coffee Drink Mix?

Coffee drink mixes have a wide appeal, especially to those who don’t like regular coffee. Offering vanilla, mocha and caramel flavors, soluble coffee drink mixes deliver that coffee kick in the morning without the bitterness and acidity associated with regular coffee. They’re much easier to make, as well—just add hot water and stir.

Our chefs define high-quality flavored coffee drink mixes as dissolving completely without too much stirring. Floating particles and undissolved chunks of powder should not remain after stirring, though it is appropriate for a slight film or oil droplets to appear on the drinks’ surface. The aroma should be complex, with the specific product flavor (caramel, mocha or vanilla), coffee and dairy notes adding to the complexity. There should not be any inappropriate off notes that detract from the overall aroma and flavor.

Taste balance is optimal when sweetness is the most noticeable taste. There should also be a touch of bitterness to prevent the coffee from being too sweet, but sourness should not be discernible.

With a pronounced intensity, the flavor of the coffee mix—caramel, mocha or vanilla—should be the dominant flavor, followed by lower dairy and coffee flavors. The drink’s overall character should have the same complexity as the aroma, delivering caramel, mocha or vanilla, dairy and coffee notes.

The mouthfeel of flavored coffee should have a rich and creamy weight. The drink should not be thin or watery, nor should it be waxy. Finishing cleanly, it should not leave a greasy coating in your mouth.

Product Category Definition

The product judged was defined as soluble coffee drink mixes for the consumer market, not including ground coffee, instant coffee or pre-prepared coffee drinks. This judging included caramel, mocha and vanilla coffee drink mixes. 

Other Leading Brands:

Hills Bros., Folgers, General Foods Int’l Coffees