As its name implies, instant coffee is created by dehydrating brewed coffee into granules that can be easily dissolved in hot water to become your daily cup of joe. Unfortunately, however, many find this process unsatisfying; many find instant coffee lacking taste and lacking its full spectrum of aroma and flavour compared to brewed ground beans; additionally it may lack some of the health benefits found in its fresh counterpart such as high levels of antioxidants and chlorogenic acid that have been linked with lower risks of type 2 diabetes risk reduction.

Ground and instant coffee differ most in their beans used, which has a direct bearing on its taste and flavour. Higher quality beans result in more authentic tasting brews with richer notes and aromas; although brands have attempted to improve instant coffee taste over the past years, nothing beats freshly brewed ground coffee for authenticity and flavor.

Instant coffee typically earns poor reviews in terms of taste due to its use of lower-grade Robusta beans, which tend to be less expensive and possess a stronger caffeine kick while lacking complex nutty or sweet notes found in freshly-ground beans. Some may be able to overlook this taste variation while for others it makes instant coffee altogether unappetizing.

Note that when turning brewed coffee into instant granules, acrylamide may form which has been linked with neuropathy or nerve damage. While not something to worry about on its own, drinking large quantities (over 400 mg per day) of instant coffee could increase your risk for this side effect.

Ground coffee typically contains more caffeine than instant coffee due to being less processed, though its processing often leads to greater caffeine loss due to it absorbing into water instead of binding with beans.

What has an even greater bearing on whether or not coffee promotes or detracts from overall health is what you add to it – such as creams, sugar and syrup which all add unnecessary calories that could offset any potential health benefits of drinking coffee. Opting for lower calorie sweeteners and dairy free creamers may help cut back on excess sugar intake as well as saturated fats and salt content in creamers and syrups.

Freshly-brewed ground coffee typically offers more flavour than instant, and should be the go-to choice when trying to maintain a healthy diet. If you need help making the decision between them both, consult a registered dietitian nutritionist. He or she can ensure you maximize caffeine intake according to your specific lifestyle needs while remaining within safe limits; drinking too much caffeine may lead to anxiety or sleep disturbance.