To answer the question re cheaper instant coffee...
They use dry cleaning fluid in the process!
Moccona and a few of the more expensive brands are freeze dried.
The thing is, regardless of the process most of the aromatic oils are lost resulting in a cup of brown water...

To make a good cuppa, an espresso machine is a must.
Preferably a good quality machine such as Saeco or Jura.
The water temp is also critical. Anything over 95-98 degrees centigrade will destroy the bulk of the aromatic oils.

I am with Muzza on pod machines. Apart from the ecological dramas they make a very ordinary cuppa.

Cafe Lombok... pooed out coffee beans...
Came about when the folk working the plantations started to collect the poo beans as they could not afford coffee otherwise.
Having passed through the Civert, it is naturally de caffinated....
And now because it is trendy, the workers are denied thier coffee!