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After trying a few other instant coffees, I found myself missing Maxim Original. My mother likes it too. To me, the Original mix has a fuller taste than Mocha Gold, although the amount of water you add makes a noticeable difference.
My experience with Original
When I ran out of my usual coffee, I tried some gift coffees and found myself missing Original. My brother had encouraged me to compare it with Mocha Gold, which I had also enjoyed. After another purchase, I preferred Original’s taste enough to consider making it my usual mix.
This is the experience from my earlier purchase. It’s useful as a taste comparison, but it doesn’t tell you which shop has stock today or what your next box will cost.
Coffee mix and black coffee are different
Before ordering, check whether a listing is for Original coffee mix or Original black instant coffee. The mix and plain coffee aren’t substitutes if you expect the same sweetness and creaminess. Match the product photograph, ingredient list and serving format.
The black-coffee link below is another option if you want to add your own milk or sweetener. Make sure the seller is supplying the format you expect. A plain black stick will not give you the same cup as a sweetened mix.
View Maxim Original Black Stick: Pure Korean Instant Coffee on Amazon
Preparation and value
Use the water amount on your packet as a starting point, then adjust a little at a time. For an iced drink, dissolve the powder before adding ice. If you want independent control over sugar and milk, plain coffee may be easier to tailor than a premixed stick.
My earlier 100-pack cost $25. I would use that only as a record of that purchase, not as today’s target price. Compare the delivered total, stick size and best-before date. A box disappearing from one supermarket shelf doesn’t necessarily mean the coffee has been discontinued.
How it compares with other Maxim products
Mocha Gold Mild is another sweet, creamy mix to compare by taste. White Gold should not be assumed sugar-free or lower in sugar without checking the label. Arabica 100 is a separate product line; confirm whether the listing is a mix or plain coffee.
View Maxim Mocha Gold Mild: Classic Korean Instant Coffee on Amazon
View Maxim White Gold: Korean Coffee Mix on Amazon
View Maxim Arabica 100: Smooth & Rich Korean Coffee Mix on Amazon
The taste is what would bring me back to Original. I would still buy a box I can comfortably finish rather than stocking up just because the largest pack works out a few cents cheaper per stick.
Related guides
Explore the Maxim coffee mix guide · Learn about Korean kimbap.
