About Waka Coffee
Waka Coffee founder David Kovalevski discovered a passion for high-quality yet convenient coffee during his years in corporate finance. After becoming frustrated with subpar breakroom brews and long Starbucks lines, David learned about an intriguing new freeze-dried method for making instant coffee that preserved incredible flavor.
In 2018, he launched Waka Coffee to share this innovative approach in making coffee shop-quality instant coffee and tea with busy professionals, travelers, outdoors enthusiasts, and really anyone seeking an easy yet delicious cup.
Headquartered in San Diego, the brand has amassed over 25 awards for its line of 100% Arabica instant coffees and whole leaf teas. From Forbes to National Geographic, Waka‘s appeared in dozens of major publications celebrated for its smooth taste rivals and sustainable sourcing practices.
But is this buzzy startup all it‘s cracked up to be? I decided to dig deeper into Waka Coffee to find out.
The Freeze-Dried Difference
Instant coffee is notorious for tasting stale, bitter, and downright offensive. This powdered iteration ditches fresh-brewed flavors for the convenience of mixing with hot water for near-instant gratification.
While older instant coffee production methods compromised too heavily on taste, Waka Coffee‘s innovative freeze-drying process strikes the perfect balance of quality and convenience by protecting the bean‘s essential oils and aromatic compounds.
Here are the steps Waka takes when crafting their instant varieties:
- Start with 100% specialty-grade Arabica beans or whole leaf teas
- Roast and grind beans or leaves depending on variety
- Brew into a concentrated liquid extract
- Flash-freeze liquid at -50° C to lock in flavors
- Place frozen coffee concentrate in a vacuum chamber to remove the ice through sublimation—transitioning from solid to gas while bypassing the liquid phase
- The result is an instantly soluble powder that simply needs hot water for a smooth, flavorful cup of coffee in seconds
This intricate freeze-drying system encapsulates the aromatic compounds and essential oils within the bean to remarkably emulate a fresh cup when rehydrated. The biggest difference you‘ll notice between Waka instant vs brewed coffees is the lack of clean up!
Taking a Closer Look at Waka Coffee
Curious to learn if Waka truly tastes as good as the brand promises, I ordered an assortment of their most popular coffee and tea varieties. Here are my honest thoughts after brewing each one:
Waka Coffee Medium Roast Colombian Single-Serve Instant Coffee
As Waka‘s #1 best-seller, I had to try the medium roast first. Opening an individual packet awakened my senses with nutty, caramel notes just like walking into my favorite local roastery.
Stirring the fine coffee powder into hot water produced a lovely crema foam. That first sip surprised me with vibrant notes of toasted pecans, brown sugar, and milk chocolate for a lovely balanced flavor.
The finish was smooth without any acidity or bitterness, which can happen when I occasionally under-extract my French press. I‘d compare it to my daily pour over with a splash of cream.
Waka Coffee Light Roast Indian Single-Serve Instant Coffee
Seeking a fruitier profile, I also sampled Waka‘s Indian single-origin light roast. The complex aroma promised hints of berries and maple syrup.
That first slurp delivered all the milk chocolate and caramel goodness mentioned in reviews plus a tart blueberry twist. I‘d liken it to my weekend cold brew when I have more time to nail the ratios plus a touch of brown sugar.
It blended beautifully with foamed milk and a dash of cinnamon when I made myself a cozy latte. This light yet intricate Indian variety makes for a lovely dessert-like treat any time of day.
Waka Coffee Kenyan Black Instant Tea
As a full-time chai addict, I had to give Waka‘s tea offerings a try too. The Kenyan black tea exuded the same attention to detail as the coffee.
It smelled bright, floral, and comforting like walking through rows of orchids. The tea powder dissolved completely clear into hot water without any grittiness.
That first sip greeted me with light malty notes followed by bursts of hibiscus and ripe berry. I‘ve tried other instant teas that tended towards dull or dusty, but this one was alive with juicy flavor for a genuine loose leaf experience I could make in seconds.
Waka Coffee Medium Roast Colombian Decaffeinated Single-Serve Instant Coffee
My husband prefers the occasional decaf cup after dinner, so I ordered him Waka‘s decaf Colombian to sample. Opening the pouch released the same wonderfully toasted, smooth scent as the regular medium roast.
The brand uses a sugar cane ethyl alcohol (EA) method to decaffeinate this variety to remove 99.9% of caffeine without compromising rich flavor.
Sure enough his first reaction was, "Wow, this is decaf? Tastes like the real thing!" He loved the supple mouthfeel with chocolatey notes without the acidity that bothers his stomach. The lack of chemical solvent aftertaste pleased him too.
Who is Waka Coffee Best For?
While convenient for all lifestyles, Waka Coffee particularly shines for:
- Busy professionals seeking an exceptional instant coffee to keep at their desk to help power through brainstorming sessions or afternoon slumps.
- Travelers who want to wake up to a delicious cup of joe from their hotel room or on a weekend adventure without packing burdensome brew gear.
- Outdoor enthusiasts like campers and hikers who don‘t want to sacrifice their favorite bold brew while exploring off-grid locations.
- Students cramming late into the nights would appreciate a solid cup of Waka instant coffee to sharpen focus for intense study sessions.
Anyone who wants to enjoy premium specialty coffee or loose leaf tea flavors at light speed will love the quality and convenience Waka Coffee offers. As more former instant coffee doubters discover how flavorful and smooth these brews taste, the brand‘s popularity continues to skyrocket.
How Waka Coffee Compares to Similar Brands
Wondering how Waka stacks up against competitors also praised for high-quality yet convenient coffee brewing? Here is a breakdown:
Blue Bottle Coffee
- Praised as one of the original third wave coffee roasters focused on single-origin quality
- Not instant—requires pour over filter or French press to brew
- Higher price point for 12 oz bags of whole bean or ground coffee
- More complex flavor profiles preferred by hardcore coffee geeks
Death Wish Coffee
- Leading brand for highly caffeinated coffee catering to hardcore coffee drinkers
- Not instant—requires drip coffee maker, French press or pour over setup
- Uses robusta beans in addition to Arabica for intense caffeine kick
- Bolder, darker, grittier flavor profile compared to Waka
Bulletproof Coffee
- "Performance coffee" brand focused on coffee blended with brain-boosting fats
- Not instant—ground beans require brewing equipment to extract
- Higher price point for unique bean-to-cup coffee kit and supplements
- More niche biohacker fan base; everyday drinkers may find flavor too funky
While Waka Coffee holds its own for taste and quality compared to these buzzy java brands, none match the convenience and portability of Waka‘s instantly soluble coffee pouches. Their competition also demands much more effort and equipment to brew a basic cup in comparison.
What Customers Have to Say About Waka Coffee
Scouring hundreds of reviews across Waka‘s website, Amazon, and independent coffee blogs, I discovered an overwhelming number of satisfied fans.
The brand has amassed a passionate social media following who praise both the unmatched convenience and full flavors.
Here is a sampling of standout Waka Coffee reviews:
"This instant coffee puts everything else I’ve tried to SHAME. I will never go back to my old instant coffee brand again." ― Lauren R.
"Nothing I‘ve tried comes close to convenience AND taste that these Waka instant coffee packs provide. I don‘t plan to use my French press again!" ― Brian P.
"Waka Coffee is perhaps the best innovation in the coffee industry I’ve experienced. Finally a guilt-free way to enjoy exquisite flavors sans waste!" ― Clara D.
The resounding feedback reveals even diehard coffee snobs struggle to differentiate Waka‘s smooth yet intricately crafted freeze-dried coffee cups against their pour over or cold brew methods. Fans love discovering they don‘t have to choose between flavor and convenience anymore.
Exclusive Waka Coffee Discount Code
Ready to wake up your mornings with instant gourmet coffee magic? Use code TAKE15 to take 15% off your first Waka Coffee order. Or sign up for their email newsletter to score 20% off instantly.
Claim either savings to help cut down the cost of this specialty coffee habit.
The Verdict: 100% Worth the Hype
I approached my Waka Coffee review a true skeptic. But after extensive testing and research, I can conclusively support this company offers so much more than average instant coffee.
While I still adore my time-intensive pour over rituals on relaxed Sundays, I‘m absolutely keeping Waka Coffee‘s convenient yet smooth pouches stocked in my pantry. Their high-quality freeze-dried method completely transforms my on-the-go coffee game.
For the quality and sheer convenience you get, Waka Coffee‘s price point seems fair compared to the many fancy coffee shops dotting street corners these days. I confidently recommend coffee lovers of all types add Waka‘s instant magic to their rotations.
