Who are these options for?

Capsule machine owners

If you want to make tea with a machine, check which system it uses before choosing a box. Lipton Red Fruits is stated to work with Nespresso® machines; SPECIAL.T requires its own infuser and a compatible machine.

Fans of a more indulgent breakfast

With brioche, jam or cereal, you might prefer the character of a breakfast black tea, or be looking for notes of bergamot, red fruit or caramel. These blends have different ingredients.

Shoppers who check the ingredients

If you want to distinguish between black tea, a flavoured blend and a milk-based drink, check the ingredients of the product you choose. Allergens in the ingredients list must be highlighted, as the DGCCRF reminds us.

What should you check before buying?

Start by checking that the tea works with your machine, then compare its flavour profile and ingredients. An indulgent-sounding flavour doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in it.

What to considerWhat to checkWho it matters to
Compatibility Check your machine’s system and model. For SPECIAL.T, also check that you have the dedicated infuser. I want to use my current machine without buying a box that won’t fit it; around 36% of consumers would prioritise compatibility.
Flavour profile Compare the tasting notes listed, such as red fruit, bergamot or caramel, depending on what you’re looking for. With a sweet slice of toast, I’m mainly looking for a fruity or indulgent note; this would be a priority for around 29% of consumers.
Plain black tea Read the ingredients list to tell the difference between a black tea blend, a flavoured blend and a powdered drink. With a pastry, I’d rather enjoy the taste of black tea than choose a dessert-style drink; around 21% of consumers would make this their priority.
Ingredients Check the packaging for sweetened ingredients and allergens, and bear in mind that tea naturally contains caffeine. Before making a caramel blend or a latte-style drink, I want to know what’s in it; around 14% of consumers would put this check first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming Dolce Gusto machines work directly with SPECIAL.T capsules

    According to NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto France, SPECIAL.T capsules need a SPECIAL.T infuser, which works with selected machine models only.

    Check your machine model and make sure you have the infuser before choosing a box of SPECIAL.T capsules.

    If you don’t already have the infuser or a compatible machine, you’ll need to buy additional equipment.

  • Assuming every black tea drink is plain black tea

    Auchan’s listing for SPECIAL.T Caramel Gourmand states that its caramel pieces contain sugar and glucose syrup. Twinings Chocolate Hazelnut & Chai Tea Latte powder also contains dairy ingredients.

    Compare the ingredients lists rather than relying on the flavour name on the front of the pack.

  • Assuming a fruity blend will always go best with sweet food

    Lipton Red Fruits, SPECIAL.T French Brunch and SPECIAL.T Earl Grey offer different profiles: red fruit, a black tea blend described as malty, and bergamot. The best choice depends on what you like with breakfast.

    Decide whether you prefer the character of black tea or a flavoured blend, then check that the format you choose works with your machine.

  • Overlooking the label and caffeine content

    The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list. The Anses states that tea naturally contains caffeine.

    Read the label on the product you buy, and consider how many other caffeinated drinks you have if you’re sensitive to caffeine.

Brands to know when comparing formats

Lipton

The Black Tea Red Fruits capsule listed by Auchan is designed for Nespresso® machines.

  • Auchan’s listing states that the box contains 10 capsules (25 g), with notes of raspberry, strawberry and cherry.
  • Check that the product works with your machine, and read the ingredients if they’re an important part of your decision.

SPECIAL.T

The range includes black tea capsules such as French Brunch, Earl Grey and Caramel Gourmand.

  • French Brunch blends Yunnan, Assam and Kenya black teas; Earl Grey has a citrus profile.
  • The capsules require a SPECIAL.T infuser and a compatible machine model. According to Auchan, Caramel Gourmand contains caramel pieces made with ingredients including sugar and glucose syrup.

Twinings

Its black tea options also include blends you can make without capsules.

  • According to Twinings, The Original Earl Grey combines black tea with bergamot flavouring.
  • Chocolate Hazelnut & Chai Tea Latte is a powdered drink containing ingredients including sugar and dairy. It isn’t a plain black tea capsule.

Kusmi Tea

The range includes tea blends such as English Breakfast and Tchaï of the Tiger.

  • Its loose-leaf and tea bag formats let you make tea without a capsule machine.
  • Check the format of the product you choose: loose-leaf tea and tea bags aren’t used like capsules.

Carrefour

Its tea range includes Carrefour Classic’ Thé Noir English Breakfast and flavoured black teas.

  • These options let you compare black tea profiles designed to be made without capsules.
  • The Carrefour capsule compatible with Dolce Gusto machines listed in the range is mint green tea. Check the exact category and format before choosing.

Black tea bags on Joybuy

These two black teas in tea bag format are for anyone who prefers to make tea without a capsule machine: one is called English Breakfast, while the other combines vanilla and caramel.

Box of 25 Twinings English Breakfast black tea bags

Twinings English Breakfast, 25 tea bags

An English Breakfast black tea to enjoy with breakfast if you want to make a brew without using a capsule machine.

Box of 25 tea bags; listed ingredient: black tea.

View on Joybuy
Lipton Vanilla Caramel black tea bags

Lipton Vanilla Caramel, 20 tea bags, 34 g

A tea bag option if you’re looking for vanilla and caramel notes with a sweet breakfast, rather than a capsule for your machine.

The ingredients include caramelised pieces containing sugar and 1% powdered vanilla pod. The recommended brewing time is 3 to 5 minutes.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a SPECIAL.T capsule directly in a Dolce Gusto machine?

No, not like a standard Dolce Gusto capsule. According to NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto France, you’ll need a SPECIAL.T infuser and a compatible machine model. Check both before buying.

Does a fruit- or caramel-flavoured capsule always contain sugar?

You can’t tell from the flavour name alone, so check the ingredients list for each product. Auchan’s listing for SPECIAL.T Caramel Gourmand states that its caramel pieces contain ingredients including sugar and glucose syrup. You can’t assume the same ingredients are used in another fruit-flavoured blend.

What should I check if I need to avoid dairy ingredients?

Check the ingredients and any highlighted allergens on the product packaging. Twinings Chocolate Hazelnut & Chai Tea Latte contains ingredients including whey powder and skimmed milk powder, so don’t treat it as plain black tea.

Does black tea in capsules contain caffeine?

Tea naturally contains caffeine, as the Anses points out. If you’re sensitive to it, consider all the caffeinated drinks you have rather than assuming that the capsule format changes the tea’s caffeine content.