Instant or soluble coffee is appreciated for the quality of its aroma and flavor, specially appreciated for its practicality of use. Brazil is the world leader in the production and export of soluble coffee. Its process of manufacturing is complex and involves high technology. The product is offered in three main ways of presentation: spray dried (powder), agglomerated and freeze dried. The aim of this work was to study the perception of the characteristics of soluble coffees from the consumer's point of view, through the methods Sorting and CATA (Check-all-that-apply) of the products. 10 samples of soluble coffees available on the Brazilian market were evaluated. The Sorting method consisted of asking the consumers to group the samples they considered similar. CATA method was used to obtain a description of the products. Through the Sorting method it was possible to observe the arrangement of four clusters. Through the CATA, four of the samples were characterized as presenting characteristic soluble coffee and strong/intense flavor and for being rough/astringent; other three samples presented strained coffee flavor, (pleasant) acidity and were drained/watery; two samples were rough/astringent, strong /intense and full-bodied and one sample, that was isolated, for being characterized by the attributes of cereals/almonds flavor, weak and thin/watery. The chosen methods showed to be adequate to study consumers' understanding of soluble coffees, showing that they were able to group, differentiate and characterize the samples.