Hosts with a coffee grinder
If you have a coffee grinder and are welcoming several espresso fans, beans let you adjust the grind to suit your preparation. Look at the flavour profile too, rather than focusing only on the intensity score.
Who are these formats for?
Hosts who want to serve coffee quickly
Capsules can make it easier to serve one cup after another, as long as they’re explicitly labelled as compatible with your machine’s system.
Fans of a bold but more nuanced coffee
If you’re after a full-bodied cup without choosing the highest intensity score, an intense ground coffee could suit an espresso machine that accepts ground coffee. The cocoa and dried-fruit notes listed for illy Intenso give you a flavour profile to consider.
What should you look for first?
When making coffee for friends, start with the machine you have, then choose the flavour you’re after and a pack size that suits the number of cups.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| A distinctly bold flavour | The flavour profile and intensity within the brand’s range; don’t compare scores of 9, 10 and 13 directly. | I’m looking first and foremost for a cup with real character, even if smoky or spicy notes aren’t to every guest’s taste. Around 33% of consumers would put boldness first. |
| Serving several cups | The format your machine accepts and how many beans, ground coffee or capsules you’ll need. | When several friends are waiting for an espresso, I want to prepare their cups without constant interruptions. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise this convenience. |
| Machine compatibility | The exact capsule system; for beans, whether you have a grinder; and for ground coffee, whether your machine accepts it. | I don’t want to buy coffee my machine can’t prepare, especially if I’m planning to serve everyone without delay. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise compatibility. |
| A flavour profile to suit different tastes | The listed flavour notes and roast description, without assuming that everyone enjoys smoky or spicy flavours. | I want to serve a full-bodied espresso to friends with different preferences, without relying on the intensity score alone. Around 13% of consumers would put flavour profile first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing intensity scores as if they were on a universal scale
Lavazza, Carte Noire and illy list products with scores including 9/10, 11/13 and 7/9. These figures alone don’t tell you which coffee will taste the boldest.
Compare intensity within the same range, then read the flavour descriptions and check the coffee’s composition.
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Choosing capsules without checking the system
Carte Noire says its Espresso Puissant N°11 capsules are compatible with Nespresso Original. This doesn’t mean they work with every capsule system.
Check which system your machine uses and look for a compatibility statement on the box before planning how many cups to serve.
A pack of incompatible capsules won’t work with your machine.
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Relying on intensity to make up for a poorly adjusted extraction
With a manual espresso machine, the grind, dose and extraction time all affect the cup, even when the coffee is described as bold.
Adjust the grind and check the extraction before serving coffee to your guests.
Brands and products to know
Lavazza
Lavazza describes Espresso Barista Intenso as a whole-bean coffee for espresso and moka, with an intensity of 9/10.
- The brand describes a 1 kg Arabica/Robusta blend with cocoa and woody notes.
- You’ll need equipment that can grind the beans; Lavazza’s 9/10 score can’t be compared directly with a score out of 13.
Carte Noire
The Espresso Puissant range includes whole beans rated 11/13 and Espresso Puissant N°11 capsules listed as compatible with Nespresso Original.
- Carte Noire describes its beans as an Arabica/Robusta blend with a bold, spicy and smoky profile.
- This profile may not suit everyone; for the capsules, check your machine’s exact system.
illy
illy Intenso is ground coffee for espresso, described as 100% Arabica with an intensity of 7/9.
- illy describes cocoa and dried-fruit notes, with a bold finish.
- Consider whether the 250 g tin will be enough for the number of cups you’re planning; your machine must accept ground coffee.
Carrefour Selection
Carrefour Selection offers Espresso Forte capsules with an intensity of 9, listed as compatible with Nespresso.
- A pack of 100 capsules could be worth considering if you’re planning to serve coffee several times.
- Check the compatibility information for your machine and choose a quantity that suits the number of cups you plan to make.
Coffees for making several cups
This Joybuy selection includes four whole-bean coffees for hosts with a coffee grinder, as well as a pack of Carte Noire Espresso Puissant N°11 capsules. If you’re choosing coffee for a particular machine, start by checking the format.
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KIMBO BARISTA INTENSO whole-bean coffee, 1 kg
Worth considering for serving several espressos if you have a coffee grinder.
Listed intensity: 12/13. This score can’t be compared directly with other brands’ scales.
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KIMBO INTENSO whole-bean coffee, 1 kg
A whole-bean option to consider for several cups, provided you can grind the coffee.
Listed intensity: 12/13. To choose between two coffees, look at their flavour descriptions too.
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KIMBO Espresso Crema Intensa whole-bean coffee, 1 kg
This whole-bean coffee is a good choice if you want beans to grind for several espressos.
Listed intensity: 11/13. Make sure you have a coffee grinder or a machine with a built-in grinder.
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KIMBO Barista Espresso Napoli whole-bean coffee, 1 kg
The whole-bean pack lets you prepare several cups, as long as your equipment can grind the beans.
Listed intensity: 10/13. Then choose according to the flavour profile you’re after, without treating this score as directly comparable with other brands’ ratings.
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CARTE NOIRE Espresso Puissant N°11, 10 aluminium capsules
If you’re serving coffee in capsules, first check your machine’s system and whether 10 capsules will be enough for the cups you’re planning to make.
Carte Noire lists Espresso Puissant N°11 as compatible with Nespresso Original; this doesn’t cover other systems.
Frequently asked questions
Does an intensity score of 11/13 necessarily mean a bolder coffee than 9/10?
No. Brands such as Carte Noire and Lavazza use different scales, so their scores can’t be compared directly. Use the score to compare coffees within the same range, then check the flavour descriptions and composition.
How can I prepare several espressos without compromising the last few cups?
Prepare each cup just before serving and use an extraction setting that suits your coffee and machine. As a guide for its own method, illy France recommends around 7 g of finely ground coffee and an extraction time of 25 to 30 seconds.
What should I check before choosing bold capsules?
Check the exact system your machine uses and how many capsules you’ll need. Carte Noire lists Espresso Puissant N°11 as compatible with Nespresso Original, but that doesn’t mean it works with other systems.
How should I store coffee after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the coffee packaging. For its Intenso ground coffee, illy recommends protecting it from light and heat and, once opened, preferably storing it in the fridge. These instructions apply to this product.
What should I look for on the packaging of coffee sold in France?
Check the product name, net quantity and storage instructions to make sure it’s suitable for the number of cups you’re planning to make. The DGCCRF states that the labelling of prepacked foods must be visible, legible and written at least in French.