For your afternoon break, choose an espresso to suit the flavour you’re after and the role caffeine plays in your day, rather than relying on the intensity rating alone. According to Carte Noire, this rating describes characteristics such as aroma, body and roast. A 100% Arabica blend is one option for a smoother cup, while an Arabica-Robusta blend suits a preference for a fuller-bodied flavour. If coffee late in the day affects your sleep, consider decaffeinated coffee. In every case, check that the format is suitable for your machine.
If you prefer an espresso that’s less intense on the palate, compare 100% Arabica blends and their flavour descriptions. Intensity ratings are based on each brand’s own scale and don’t, on their own, guarantee how the coffee will taste to you.
If you’re after more body or roasted notes, look at Arabica-Robusta blends and the roast description. A coffee described as intense doesn’t tell you directly how much caffeine your cup contains.
If your afternoon coffee makes it harder to fall asleep, compare decaffeinated options in a format that suits your machine. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) says caffeine can affect how quickly you fall asleep and the quality of your sleep. Remember to take your other sources of caffeine into account too.
Start with the profile you enjoy drinking, then check the preparation format. If afternoon coffee affects your sleep, consider caffeine separately: flavour intensity can’t tell you how much caffeine it contains.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour balance | Compare the Arabica content, the tasting notes and the intensity rating on the brand’s scale. | For an everyday cup that’s less intense on the palate, I focus on the aromas and a level of bitterness I enjoy; around 33% of consumers rank this balance as their top priority. |
| Full-bodied flavour | Check the Robusta content, if stated, and the roast description. | If I enjoy a full-bodied espresso, I’m happy with a more bitter taste; around 25% of consumers put this profile ahead of other criteria. |
| Preparation format | Check whether the coffee is whole bean or in capsules and, for capsules, make sure they’re designed for your specific machine system. | I want to be able to make coffee with the equipment I already own, without buying a format I can’t use; compatibility is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Caffeine later in the day | Look for the decaffeinated label and consider any other sources of caffeine you consume throughout the day. | When afternoon coffee affects my sleep, my first priority is to cut down on caffeine; around 17% of consumers prioritise this. |
According to Carte Noire, intensity describes characteristics such as aroma, body and roast. So choosing the highest rating won’t tell you how much caffeine is in your cup.
Check the ingredients, flavour description and decaffeinated label separately if reducing your caffeine intake is important to you.
Beans need to be ground before brewing, while capsules are designed for specific systems. The same drink name doesn’t guarantee that the packaging will work with your equipment.
Identify your machine or grinder, then check the exact format on the pack: whole beans, capsules for the stated system or E.S.E. pods.
Anses says caffeine can make it harder to fall asleep and reduce sleep duration or quality, although the effects vary from person to person.
If this break affects your sleep, consider decaffeinated coffee and remember to account for other drinks or products containing caffeine that you consume during the day.
The range includes whole-bean, ground and capsule espressos, with a choice of blends and roast profiles.
The brand offers 100% Arabica coffee in several formats, including whole beans, ground coffee and decaffeinated options.
The espresso range includes whole-bean and pre-portioned options, with several stated intensity levels.
The supermarket’s own-brand range includes an Arabica-Robusta whole-bean blend, which you can compare with products made from different blends.
The range includes a 500 g pack of 100% Arabica whole-bean espresso.
Plantation offers whole-bean and ground coffees in a range of profiles and pack formats.
These options let you compare whole-bean coffees for espresso with capsule choices, including a decaffeinated espresso. First choose the flavour and cup size you prefer, then check that the format is compatible with your machine.
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Worth considering if you make espresso from whole beans. You’ll need a machine with a grinder or a separate grinder. To choose based on flavour or caffeine, check the information on the pack rather than relying on the Oro name.
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If you’re comparing whole-bean espressos labelled Intense, check the blend and flavour description on the pack. You’ll need a machine with a grinder or a separate grinder; Intense doesn’t indicate how much caffeine is in each cup.
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An option if you want to stick with espresso capsules while choosing decaffeinated coffee. This product is described as compatible with Nespresso machines; check your machine’s system and the residual caffeine content if that matters to you.
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Worth a look if you prefer a lungo to a short espresso for your break. Check your machine’s capsule system and look for a decaffeinated label on the packaging if reducing your caffeine intake is the reason for your choice.
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If you’re comparing 100% Arabica whole-bean espressos, this one is described as medium-roasted and rated 9/13 for intensity. You’ll need a machine with a grinder or a separate grinder; this rating doesn’t measure the caffeine in your cup.
No, the intensity rating doesn’t directly measure caffeine. According to Carte Noire, it describes characteristics such as aroma, body and roast. If caffeine is a deciding factor for you, also consider how the coffee is prepared and your other sources of caffeine throughout the day.
A 100% Arabica or Arabica-dominant blend is a good starting point to compare if you’re after a less intense flavour. Lavazza describes Arabica as smoother than Robusta; check the flavour description too, as taste is a matter of personal preference.
No, beans need to be ground before brewing unless your machine has a built-in grinder. Check how your equipment works and, if you use a separate grinder, choose a grind that suits your brewing method.
No, compatibility depends on the specific system your machine uses. The illy range includes Iperespresso capsules, capsules compatible with Nespresso Original and E.S.E. pods; check the wording on the box against your machine’s model.