If you’re concerned about caffeine close to bedtime, start with a decaffeinated espresso, then check that the format is suitable for your machine: decaffeinated doesn’t necessarily mean caffeine-free. A half-caff still contains some regular coffee; if evening caffeine isn’t your main concern, choose your espresso for its flavour instead, and don’t mistake the stated strength for a measure of caffeine.
If you have an espresso after dinner and want to limit your caffeine intake, start by looking at decaffeinated options and their labelling. Anses notes that caffeine can disrupt sleep, so it’s worth paying closer attention to the caffeine content of a specific product than to its flavour description alone.
A half-caff might suit you if you’re happy to have some regular coffee. Carte Noire describes one of its options as half regular coffee and half decaffeinated coffee, but those proportions don’t tell you how much caffeine is in the cup.
Your machine’s system determines which formats you can compare. Lavazza, for example, distinguishes between A Modo Mio and capsules compatible with Nespresso® Original; illy distinguishes between Iperespresso, capsules compatible with Nespresso® Original and E.S.E. pods.
For an espresso after dinner, first decide how important caffeine is to you, then compare the flavours available in formats compatible with your machine.
Worth considering : if you want to limit caffeine while still enjoying an espresso in the evening.
Keep in mind : check the caffeine content stated for the option you choose. For the relevant ground and whole-bean decaffeinated espressos, illy states a maximum caffeine content of 0.1 %.
Worth considering : if you’re happy to have some regular coffee in your evening drink.
Keep in mind : Carte Noire’s 50/50 blend description doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in a cup.
Worth considering : if taste is your main consideration and you’re not looking to reduce the caffeine in your drink.
Keep in mind : a milder-tasting coffee isn’t necessarily lower in caffeine. Anses states that caffeine can delay falling asleep and reduce the duration or quality of sleep.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for ? |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | Whether it’s labelled decaffeinated or half-caff and, where stated for that product, its caffeine content. | If I drink my espresso close to bedtime, I want to limit caffeine rather than rely on a mild strength rating; around 42 % of consumers put reducing caffeine at the top of their list. |
| Flavour | The stated flavour notes and blend ingredients, comparing strength within the same range. | After dinner, I mainly want to enjoy the espresso profile I like, even if I switch blends; flavour remains the priority for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Format | The exact system accepted by your machine and the compatibility information on the packaging. | If I already have a machine at home, I need to be able to make my chosen coffee without switching systems; this compatibility comes first for around 25 % of consumers. |
Strength describes the flavour profile of a range, not the amount of caffeine in your cup. This distinction matters if you’re drinking coffee close to bedtime: Anses states that caffeine can disrupt sleep.
First choose between decaffeinated, half-caff and regular coffee, then use the flavour notes to narrow down your options.
A Modo Mio, Nespresso® Original, Dolce Gusto and Iperespresso are different systems; E.S.E. pods are another format altogether.
Check which system your machine uses, then look for the compatibility information on the coffee’s product page and packaging.
Carte Noire describes its half-caff option as a blend of 50 % regular coffee and 50 % decaffeinated coffee. This describes the blend, not how much caffeine is extracted into each cup.
If reducing caffeine is your main concern, look instead at the information for a specific decaffeinated product.
Carte Noire states that its Espresso N°8 soft pods shouldn’t be put in a home compost bin, the garden or the countryside.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions and your local waste-sorting rules before choosing a format based on how it should be disposed of.
A range to explore if you’re looking for espresso in a format that suits your machine.
An option to explore when comparing ground or whole-bean decaffeinated espresso, capsules and pods for your machine.
Options to compare if you’re choosing between decaffeinated and half-caff espresso.
A supermarket own-brand to consider if you use ground or whole-bean coffee.
A supermarket own-brand to look at if you’re after decaffeinated coffee in capsules or pods.
Another supermarket own-brand offering decaffeinated coffee in several formats.
These three options let you look for an evening decaffeinated espresso to suit your capsule system: Dolce Gusto, A Modo Mio or the format specified for Carte Noire N°5. Check the exact compatibility before choosing.
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For an evening decaffeinated espresso if your machine takes Dolce Gusto capsules.
The pack contains 16 capsules, weighing 112 g. Check the labelling for this product if you need a specific figure for its caffeine content.
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A decaffeinated option for the evening if you use the A Modo Mio system specified for these capsules.
The box contains 36 capsules. Check the packaging for caffeine information specific to this product.
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For a decaffeinated evening espresso, provided your machine accepts the capsule format specified for this product.
The box contains 10 aluminium capsules. Carte Noire describes its Espresso Décaféiné N°5 as a 100 % Arabica blend; check the labelling for any information about its caffeine content.
No, you shouldn’t assume it contains no caffeine at all. For the relevant ground and whole-bean decaffeinated espressos, illy states a caffeine content of no more than 0.1 %; check the information for the specific product you’re considering.
No. Stated strength describes the flavour profile and doesn’t measure caffeine. If caffeine is your main concern for an evening drink, look for the decaffeinated or half-caff label and check the information for the specific product.
Find the exact name of your machine’s system and look for the same compatibility information on the packaging. For example, Lavazza distinguishes A Modo Mio from capsules compatible with Nespresso® Original, while illy distinguishes Iperespresso from its capsules compatible with Nespresso® Original.
Not necessarily: Carte Noire states that its Espresso N°8 soft pods shouldn’t be put in a home compost bin or the garden. Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought and your local waste collection guidance.