Travellers who want to take a portion with them
If you have a cup and hot water, a stick of instant decaf coffee means you won’t need to bring a jar to measure from or any brewing equipment. Auchan and Carrefour list decaf options in stick format.
Who are these formats for?
The right format depends mainly on what you’ll be able to use at mealtime: hot water, a specific machine or equipment for ground coffee.
People looking for a bolder taste
The intensity rating can help you choose within a range. For example, Carrefour gives its Carte Noire ground decaf coffee an intensity rating of 7. You’ll still need a way to prepare ground coffee while you’re there.
People with a compatible machine
If there’s a machine available where you’re having your meal, check which system it uses before you buy. According to Carrefour, Carte Noire capsules advertised as compatible with Nespresso and its pods advertised as compatible with Senseo are designed for two different systems.
What should you check before buying?
When choosing decaf coffee to have with a meal at the airport, start by checking how you’ll be able to prepare it, then think about the taste you’re looking for. The percentages below show the share of consumers who put each need first; they don’t mean that the other factors stop mattering.
Instant decaf sticks
Choose these if: you’ll have a cup and hot water, but no machine.
Bear in mind: preparation depends on having hot water, and the result may not be the same as coffee brewed in a machine.
Ground decaf coffee
Choose this if: you’ll have access to suitable equipment for ground coffee and want to check the intensity rating for the product.
Bear in mind: you won’t be able to make a cup with just the pack; you’ll need the right equipment too.
Decaf capsules or pods
Choose these if: you know which system the machine available at mealtime uses.
Bear in mind: a capsule and a pod designed for different systems aren’t interchangeable.
| Factor | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Carrying and preparation | Choose individual portions if you don’t want to measure out the coffee; make sure you can get a cup and hot water. | I want to make a cup with things I can easily carry, without needing a machine. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Bold taste | Check the intensity rating for the exact product and how it should be prepared; don’t compare figures directly across different brands or formats. | I’m primarily looking for a bold taste, even if that means using ground coffee and the right equipment. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Choosing decaf | Check that the version you’re buying is labelled “decaffeinated”, particularly if the range also includes regular coffee. | When choosing a drink for my journey, I mainly want the decaf version rather than another option. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Machine compatibility | Check which system is available: capsules advertised as compatible with Nespresso and pods advertised as compatible with Senseo are different formats. | I have access to a machine and want to buy a portion I can actually use with it. Around 19% of consumers put compatibility ahead of other factors. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Buying a capsule without checking the machine
A capsule advertised as compatible with Nespresso won’t work in a machine that takes Senseo-compatible pods. Without the right system, you won’t be able to make the coffee.
Check what equipment will be available where you’re having your meal before choosing a format. If you can’t find out, consider instant decaf instead, provided you can get hot water.
-
Comparing intensity ratings as if they were a universal measure
Carrefour gives its Carte Noire ground decaf coffee an intensity rating of 7 and its Carte Noire decaf capsules a rating of 5; Auchan gives its decaf sticks a rating of 6/10. These figures aren’t enough to establish that the different preparations will taste the same.
Use the intensity rating as a guide to the product in question, and take the format, amount of water and brewing equipment into account.
-
Making your drink before security without checking the rules
For departures covered by European Union security rules, the European Commission states that liquids carried in hand luggage are limited to 100 ml per individual container. A prepared drink counts as a liquid; this guidance doesn’t apply to dry coffee.
Check your airport’s and journey’s requirements before taking a prepared drink with you. If you plan to make your coffee later, make sure you’ll have access to hot water.
Brands to know by format
These products show different ways to prepare decaf. The brands featured here aren’t a guarantee that a particular version will be available, or that different formats will taste the same.
Carte Noire
Carrefour lists Carte Noire decaf options as ground coffee, capsules advertised as compatible with Nespresso and pods advertised as compatible with Senseo.
- The Carte Noire ground decaf coffee listed by Carrefour has an intensity rating of 7.
- The capsules and pods reviewed have an intensity rating of 5. These figures alone aren’t enough to compare the taste of the different formats.
Auchan
Auchan lists freeze-dried instant decaf coffee in a box of 25 sticks, suitable for making with a cup and hot water.
- The product has an intensity rating of 6/10 and comes in individual portions.
- The preparation instructions call for hot, but not boiling, water, so check that you’ll be able to get some where you are.
Nescafé
Nescafé has a range of decaf coffees. If you’re looking for individual portions of instant coffee, choose a version that is itself labelled “decaffeinated”.
- The range lets you compare decaf options according to how you want to prepare your coffee.
- A stick product from the brand isn’t necessarily decaf, so check the exact product name.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists 100% Arabica ground decaf coffee and instant decaf coffee sticks under this brand.
- The 25 sticks in the instant coffee product make handy portions to take with you.
- Ground coffee requires brewing equipment. Check whether the sticks are available at your store and through your chosen way of shopping.
E.Leclerc / Eco+
E.Leclerc lists a 250 g pack of Eco+ ground decaf coffee, worth considering if you’ll have access to equipment for ground coffee.
- If you’re looking for a bold-tasting cup, check the details on the exact product rather than judging its intensity by the format alone.
Joybuy products to suit your equipment
These products include instant coffee to measure out, decaf café au lait sticks, and capsules or pods for different systems. If you’re having a meal at the airport, first choose a preparation method you’ll actually have access to. Not all of the products featured are suitable if you’re looking for black coffee or a bold taste.
Image unavailable
NESCAFÉ decaffeinated coffee, 100 g
Worth considering if you have a cup and hot water, but no coffee machine. This instant coffee comes in a 100 g pack, so bring something to measure it out if you’re taking it with you. If a bold taste is important, check the product details before buying.
Image unavailable
Carte Noire decaf espresso no. 5, 10 capsules
Choose this only if you’ll have access to a machine compatible with Nespresso. This pack contains 10 capsules; the number 5 is a rating specific to this product and doesn’t mean it will make an extra-strong cup.
Image unavailable
AGF Blendy Stick decaf coffee with milk, 6 sticks
The sticks are handy for making a drink with hot water when you don’t have a machine. This is a decaf coffee-with-milk mix, not plain black coffee. Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack, particularly if milk is a concern for you. If you’re looking for a bold taste, check the details for this version too.
Image unavailable
GIMOKA decaf pods compatible with Senseo, 36 pods, 252 g
These pods are designed for a machine compatible with Senseo, so check that this system will be available where you’re having your meal. The pack is listed as containing 36 pods, weighing 252 g. If you’re mainly looking for a bold taste, check the details for the exact product.
Image unavailable
Nescafé Dolce Gusto Lungo Decaf capsules
These decaf capsules are worth considering if you’ll have access to a Dolce Gusto-compatible machine. Check how many capsules are in the pack before buying, and look at the details for this version if intensity is your main priority.
Frequently asked questions
What should I choose if there’s no machine at the airport?
Instant decaf coffee sticks are an option if you can get a cup and hot water. Auchan, for example, lists a box of 25 decaf sticks with instructions to use hot, but not boiling, water. Check the instructions for the product you buy.
Will a decaf capsule work in any machine?
No. Compatibility depends on the system specified for the capsule or pod. For example, Carrefour lists a Carte Noire capsule advertised as compatible with Nespresso and a Carte Noire pod advertised as compatible with Senseo. Check which machine is available before you buy.
Does an intensity rating of 7 mean the coffee will taste bolder than a stick rated 6/10?
Not necessarily. These figures apply to different products and formats, so they don’t provide a shared measure of how the coffee will taste in the cup. Carrefour gives its Carte Noire ground decaf coffee an intensity rating of 7, while Auchan rates its decaf sticks at 6/10. Take the preparation method and your own preferences into account too.
Can I take a prepared coffee through security?
For departures covered by European Union security rules, prepared coffee is subject to the rules for liquids in hand luggage: the European Commission states a limit of 100 ml per individual container. Check your airport’s and journey’s requirements before setting off with a drink.
Is the “decaffeinated” label enough if I need to limit my caffeine intake?
No. Make sure you choose a version labelled “decaffeinated”, but don’t treat that label as advice for every personal circumstance. Anses notes that the effects of caffeine vary from person to person. If you need to follow a specific medical restriction, seek professional advice.