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Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee vs Starbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast

Buy Juan Valdez Classic if you want a smooth, single-origin Colombian cup and the reassurance of a large, strong review base. Buy Starbucks Premium Instant if you prefer a medium roast with chocolate and nut notes and a tin that stretches to about 35 cups. Both are 100% Arabica instant coffees in similar tin sizes; Juan Valdez uses freeze-drying, Starbucks blends instant with microground coffee for more body. Owners rate Juan Valdez higher, though from far more ratings.

  • Choose the Juan Valdez Classic if you want a bright, smooth Colombian Arabica cup and a freeze-dried instant that keeps its aroma well.
  • Choose the Starbucks Premium Instant if you like a medium roast with chocolate and nut notes and a bit more body from the microground coffee.

Prices

  • Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee: $7.84 at Walmart (checked today)
  • Starbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast: $9.10 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee is $1.26 cheaper than the Starbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 10)
Juan Valdez
Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee

Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee

4.7(6,667 ratings)
$7.84at WalmartChecked 14 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Price via Klarna.

Pros
  • 100% Colombian Arabica from a single origin
  • Freeze-drying keeps aroma and natural oils
  • High owner rating across thousands of reviews
  • Bold enough to drink black or with milk
  • Larger tin than the Starbucks option
Cons
  • Only one roast level in this line
  • Bold profile may be too strong for light-roast drinkers
  • Ground form means no whole-bean option
Starbucks
Starbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast

Starbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast

4.2(166 ratings)
$9.10at eBayChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Familiar Starbucks medium roast flavor
  • Microground coffee adds body
  • Works in hot or iced water
  • About 35 cups per tin
  • Notes of chocolate and nuts suit milk drinks
Cons
  • Fewer owner ratings to judge by
  • Microground sediment can linger in the cup
  • Milder than the Juan Valdez classic

What separates them

Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant CoffeeStarbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast
ProcessingFreeze-dried, which preserves aroma and oilsInstant blended with microground coffee for more body
Roast profileClassic medium-dark Colombian profile, smooth and vibrantMedium roast with notes of chocolate and nuts
OriginSingle origin, 100% Colombian ArabicaArabica beans sourced for Starbucks blends, North America region listed
Tin size3.5 oz3.17 oz, about 35 cups per tin
DissolvingDissolves cleanly in hot water; fine in milkStir into hot or iced water; microground particles can settle
Owner ratings4.7 out of 5 from 6,667 ratings4.2 out of 5 from 166 ratings
Flavor strengthBold, classic, holds up with milkSmoother, milder medium roast

Price history

$11.99$7.84
Nov 3Nov 10
  • Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee: lowest $7.84 on Nov 10 at Walmart.
  • Starbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast: lowest $7.99 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $7.84+ $6.99 shippingChecked 14 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by service.dai-14

    $15.02Free shippingChecked 14 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • WalmartNew

    Out of stock

    $7.84+ $5.99 shippingChecked 14 h ago
    Visit Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 2 stores and price history →

Starbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $10.22+ $5.99 shippingChecked 14 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by amazingdealsinc3 (98.8% positive, 1,400 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $9.10Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $26.97Checked Nov 9
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • Schnuck MarketsCheck price at Schnuck Markets
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • walgreens.comCheck price at walgreens.com

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 3 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecJuan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant CoffeeStarbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast
multipack_quantity11
size3.5 oz3.17 oz
Form FactorGround—
Country Of OriginUSA—
Net weight3.5 oz—
Coffee typeFreeze-Dried Instant Coffee—
Bean varietypremium Arabica beans—
OriginSingle Origin from Colombia—
IngredientsFreeze-Dried Instant Coffee (100% Colombian Ara…—
Serving sizeone rounded teaspoon—
BlendCumbre premium blend—
Type—Instant
Show all 18 specsShow fewer specs
SpecJuan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant CoffeeStarbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast
Roast—Medium Roast
Roast Level—Medium Roast, Ground Coffee
Weight/pack. (oz)—3.17
No. of Packs (pack)—1
Region of Origin—North America
Flavor—Medium Roast

What reviewers say

Juan Valdez Classic Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee

  • 4.7 / 56,667 ratings

Buyers rate it highly and often call it one of the better instant coffees they have tried, praising its smooth, low-acid Colombian taste and convenience. Some find it milder than expected or wish the flavor were stronger per spoon.

What people mention
  • FlavorPraisedBuyers describe a smooth, rounded Colombian taste with low bitterness.
  • StrengthMixedSome find it mild and use extra spoons for a stronger cup.
  • DissolvingPraisedIt dissolves quickly in hot water and in milk.
  • AromaMixedThe aroma is good when fresh but fades once the jar is open.

Starbucks Premium Instant Medium Roast

  • 4.2 / 5166 ratings

Buyers of Starbucks instant generally rate it above standard supermarket instant for smoothness and flavor, though some find it pricey for what it is.

What people mention
  • TastePraisedBuyers describe it as smooth with chocolate and nut notes, less harsh than basic instant.
  • ValueMixedSome say the per-cup cost is high for instant coffee.
  • ConveniencePraisedStirs into hot or cold water with no equipment.
  • Vs brewedCriticised

Questions and answers

Which is better for iced coffee?
Starbucks Premium Instant is the easier pick because it is made to stir into hot or iced water. Juan Valdez dissolves fine in cold water too, but its bolder flavor stands out more in milk and ice.
Which tastes closer to brewed coffee?
Juan Valdez, thanks to freeze-drying that keeps more aroma and oils. Starbucks gets body from microground coffee but still tastes like instant.
Is the Starbucks tin worth stepping up to?
Only if you want a medium roast with chocolate and nut notes. Juan Valdez is bolder, single-origin and rated higher by owners.
Which lasts longer once opened?
Both are dry instant coffee and keep for weeks in a sealed tin. Juan Valdez's freeze-dried granules are less prone to clumping than Starbucks' microground blend.
Which is better with milk?
Juan Valdez holds its bold Colombian flavor better in milk. Starbucks is smoother and milder, so the coffee taste fades faster in a latte.
Do either contain anything besides coffee?
Juan Valdez lists only freeze-dried instant coffee. Starbucks lists 100% Arabica coffee, instant and microground, with no added flavorings.

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Some find it falls short of brewed Starbucks coffee.