Regular coffee drinkers without a machine
If you often make decaf in the afternoon using a mug and hot water, instant coffee in a jar means you don’t have to rely on a pod system. NESCAFÉ and Auchan both offer products in this format.
Who are the different formats for?
Fans of individual portions to take on the go
At work or while travelling, an individual portion may be more convenient than a jar. E.Leclerc’s Plantation product comes in a pack of 25 sticks, so compare this with how much coffee you drink.
Users of pod machines
If you have a machine that takes soft coffee pods, check the exact compatibility details on the pack. Carrefour offers decaf Carte Noire and Carrefour Sensation products in packs of 36 pods.
What should you check before choosing?
For a regular coffee break, start with the equipment you have. Then decide whether you’d rather measure out the coffee yourself or have individual portions ready to use. The number of cups stated for a jar is not the same as the number of sachets.
Instant coffee in a jar
Choose this if: you want to make a cup with hot water, without using a machine.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure out the coffee each time, and the jar doesn’t contain individually wrapped portions.
Individual sticks
Choose this if: you’d prefer to carry or prepare a separate portion without a machine.
Bear in mind: E.Leclerc’s Plantation pack contains 25 sticks, not 80.
Soft coffee pods
Choose this if: your machine accepts the pod format shown on the pack.
Bear in mind: Carrefour’s decaf Carte Noire and Carrefour Sensation products contain 36 pods per pack.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and compatibility | Know the difference between instant coffee, sticks, soft pods and capsules. For pods or capsules, check that the system shown on the pack works with your machine. | When I make a coffee during a short break, I want a format that works with the equipment I have. Around 42% of consumers would put this preparation question first. |
| Caffeine and coffee profile | Check that the product is labelled “decaffeinated”, and don’t assume you can tell its exact caffeine content from an intensity rating. | For my afternoon coffee, my first priority is choosing a decaf with a flavour profile I enjoy. This matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Portions and packaging | Count the sticks or pods in the pack. For a jar, distinguish the stated number of cups from individually wrapped portions. | If I drink coffee regularly, I want to plan how many portions to buy without mistaking an estimated number of cups for 80 sachets. Around 25% of consumers would make quantity their first criterion. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming 80 cups means 80 sachets
These units aren’t interchangeable: Auchan states that a jar of instant coffee makes around 50 cups, E.Leclerc offers Plantation in packs of 25 sticks, while the pod products mentioned by Carrefour contain 36 pods.
Decide whether you’re looking for individual sachets, pods or coffee to measure out, then compare packs using the same unit.
If you want 80 individual portions, you may need to buy several smaller packs.
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Confusing pods, capsules and sticks
These formats aren’t prepared in the same way. A soft pod for a compatible Senseo machine won’t work in place of a capsule for another system or an instant coffee stick.
Check which system your machine takes and the exact product format before choosing a pack.
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Taking “decaffeinated” to mean “caffeine-free”
“Decaffeinated” doesn’t guarantee that a product contains no caffeine at all. The Anses also notes that the effects of caffeine on sleep vary according to factors including age and consumption habits.
If caffeine content matters to you, check the product information rather than assuming that “decaffeinated” means zero caffeine.
Brands to know when comparing formats
These products show the range of brewing methods and pack sizes available. The brand name alone doesn’t replace checking the details of the specific product.
NESCAFÉ
NESCAFÉ offers decaffeinated instant coffee in a jar, so you can make a cup without a machine.
- For its Spécial Filtre Décaféiné, the brand recommends one teaspoon in 100 ml of hot water.
- The 100 g jar isn’t a box of 80 individual sachets.
Carte Noire
Carte Noire offers N°5 Pure Arabica decaf in soft pods, with an intensity rating of 5/10.
- Carrefour offers this product in a pack of 36 pods as part of its Senseo-compatible range.
- Check your machine’s system: the pack doesn’t contain 80 portions.
Carrefour Sensation
Carrefour Sensation offers ground decaf coffee in soft pods compatible with Senseo machines.
- Carrefour’s product listing states that the pack contains 36 pods and weighs 250 g.
- This format requires a compatible machine and isn’t a box of 80 sachets.
Auchan
Auchan offers decaffeinated instant coffee in a 100 g jar.
- Auchan says this product makes around 50 cups, depending on how much coffee you use.
- This is an estimated number of cups, not a count of sticks. Auchan recommends keeping the jar closed and storing it in a cool, dry place.
Plantation (Marque Repère / E.Leclerc)
Plantation offers freeze-dried decaffeinated instant coffee in individual sticks.
- The E.Leclerc product listing states that the 50 g pack contains 25 sticks.
- This pack contains fewer than 80 portions. Check availability with your E.Leclerc store or Drive service.
Joybuy products by brewing method
These products let you compare instant coffee in a jar, decaf café au lait sticks, pods, capsules and ground coffee. The right choice depends on your equipment and whether you prefer individual portions or coffee you can measure out yourself.
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NESCAFÉ Decaf Filter Coffee, 100 g
Instant coffee in a jar to consider if you make your coffee without a machine and are happy to measure out each portion.
The stated pack size is 100 g: this isn’t a box of individual sachets.
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AGF Blendy stick Cafe au Lait Decaffeinated, 6 pieces
Worth considering if you want individual portions and a café au lait-style drink rather than black instant coffee.
The title states that there are 6 sticks, not 80. Check the ingredients list if the drink’s composition matters to you.
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GIMOKA, decaf pods compatible with Senseo machines, 36 pods, 252 g
A portioned format to consider if your machine takes pods labelled as compatible with Senseo machines.
The title states that the pack contains 36 pods and weighs 252 g. Check that they’re compatible with your machine before buying.
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Nescafé Dolce Gusto Lungo Décafe
Capsules to consider if you use the Nescafé Dolce Gusto system, rather than a machine that takes soft pods.
Check how many capsules are included before buying: the pack size information varies.
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GIMOKA GRAN RELAX, ground decaf coffee, 250 g
Worth considering if you’d prefer to use ground coffee rather than sticks, pods or capsules.
The pack is listed as 250 g. Check the brewing instructions for your equipment: this format doesn’t provide 80 individually wrapped portions.
Frequently asked questions
Is decaffeinated coffee completely caffeine-free?
No: “decaffeinated” doesn’t necessarily mean caffeine-free. For the coffee extracts it covers, French Decree No. 2001-977 sets a limit of 0.3% anhydrous caffeine in the dry matter derived from coffee. This rule shouldn’t be applied indiscriminately to roasted coffee pods.
Should you choose a jar, sticks or pods for the afternoon?
Choose according to how you make your coffee: instant coffee from a jar can be measured into a cup without a machine, a stick provides a separate portion, and a pod requires a compatible machine. To plan your shopping, compare the number of units in the pack with how much you drink.
How should you store decaffeinated instant coffee after opening?
Reseal the packaging and follow the storage instructions. For its intense decaffeinated instant coffee, Auchan recommends keeping the jar closed in a cool, dry place.
What should you check if you’re sensitive to caffeine?
Don’t treat the word “decaffeinated” alone as a guarantee that a product contains no caffeine. The Anses says that caffeine’s effects on sleep vary according to factors including age, sex and consumption habits. For advice related to your personal circumstances, speak to a healthcare professional.