Fans of a short, bold cup
If you’re after a pronounced flavour, look at espresso-style instant coffees and the recommended water volume. A high intensity rating doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains.
Which format is right for you?
Buying your first jar for home
A jar lets you change the amount of instant coffee from one cup to the next. Choose its size to suit how often you drink it, and check the storage instructions.
Newcomers drawn to individual portions
Sticks mean you don’t have to measure out the coffee each time, and they’re easy to take with you. Check that it’s black instant coffee if you’re not looking for a cappuccino- or latte-style drink.
What should you look at first?
For your first shop, start by deciding what matters most: the flavour of your cup, a format that suits your routine or the product’s ingredients.
| What matters | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Bold flavour | The flavour profile on the pack, the range’s intensity scale and the recommended water volume; an intensity rating doesn’t measure caffeine. | I want a small cup with a pronounced flavour, without confusing taste with a stimulating effect. Around 50% of consumers put this first. |
| Format and portions | The jar’s weight or the number of portions, then the recommended amount in relation to the stated number of cups. | At home, I prefer to adjust each cup; when I’m out, I want a portion that’s easy to carry. Around 30% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients list, to distinguish black instant coffee from a drink mix containing other ingredients; check allergen information where applicable. | I want to know whether I’m buying black coffee or a milky or sweetened drink, and not to assume that “intense” means more caffeine. This is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Taking intensity to mean caffeine content
According to Carte Noire, intensity describes the flavour profile and doesn’t tell you how likely the coffee is to keep you awake. A higher rating alone can’t tell you how much caffeine is in a cup.
Compare intensity ratings within the same range, and start with the recommended amount on the pack before adjusting it to suit your taste.
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Confusing black coffee with a cappuccino or latte mix
An instant drink mix can contain ingredients other than coffee, including milk or sugar, depending on the recipe. The name or appearance alone won’t tell you what’s in it.
If you want to buy black instant coffee, check the product name and ingredients list for the exact product.
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Choosing a large jar without thinking about storage
A jar is handy if you make coffee regularly, but it’s less practical if you rarely drink instant coffee or need to take it with you.
Choose an amount that suits how you use it, close the jar after each serving and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
A jar left open or stored somewhere damp may lose its appeal before you finish it.
Instant coffee brands to consider
NESCAFÉ
The range includes Espresso Intenso, made for a short cup. Auchan’s product listing gives it an intensity rating of 7, says it’s made with 100% Arabica instant coffee and states that the 95 g pack makes 52 cups.
- The recommended 60 ml of water helps you prepare this product as intended.
- Its intensity rating doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains, nor can you compare it like for like with every other brand.
Auchan
Auchan’s intense instant coffee listing shows a 200 g jar, an intensity rating of 6/10 and around 100 cups.
- The recommended amount of one to two teaspoons gives you room to adjust your coffee at home.
- Read the intensity scale for the specific product; don’t assume it’s comparable with another brand’s scale.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s range includes Simpl Café Soluble Corsé in a 200 g pack.
- The word “Corsé” (bold) is a useful indication if you’re looking for a pronounced flavour.
- Before choosing it, check the packaging for this specific product’s ingredients and recommended amount.
Carte Noire
Carte Noire describes its intensity scale as an indication of flavour. The stick-format instant coffee found in shops is called “Café Soluble Classique”.
- Sticks may suit anyone who wants handy portions to take with them.
- “Classique” means classic, not “extra strong”; the brand’s own intensity scale can’t be directly compared with a rating out of 10.
E.Leclerc / Plantation
E.Leclerc offers Plantation instant coffee in jars and sticks, making it worth considering if the packaging format is a priority for your first shop.
- These formats let you choose between a jar for home and individual portions.
- Check the flavour profile of the specific product before buying it for a bold cup.
Instant coffees available on Joybuy
These two instant coffee formats could suit different needs for your first shop: a small pack of black coffee and individual portions. The product names alone don’t tell you which will make the boldest cup, so check the product details and adjust how you prepare it to suit your taste.
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Trung Nguyen G7 Pure Black, 30 g
The 30 g pack may suit you if you’d like to start with a small amount of black instant coffee. Check the recommended amount on the packaging before making your first cup; the name “Pure Black” alone doesn’t tell you how intense it is or how much caffeine it contains.
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SLAB TOWN American Freeze-Dried Instant Coffee, 12 × 2,8 g
The 12 individual portions of 2,8 g are worth considering if you’d rather not measure coffee out of a jar for every cup. This is freeze-dried instant coffee. To find out whether its flavour suits your search for a very bold cup, check the product’s preparation instructions and flavour details.
Frequently asked questions
Does “intense” instant coffee always contain more caffeine?
No. Intensity refers mainly to the flavour profile, not the amount of caffeine. Carte Noire explicitly distinguishes between the two, so if caffeine is your priority, don’t choose your coffee based on this rating alone.
How can you make an instant espresso without making it more bitter?
Start with the recommended amount and water volume for the product you’ve bought. For its Espresso Intenso, NESCAFÉ recommends one heaped teaspoon and 60 ml of just-boiled water. The brand also advises leaving the hot water to stand for around 30 seconds before pouring.
What should you look for on the label before buying instant coffee?
First, check the product name, ingredients, quantity and preparation instructions to make sure it’s right for the cup you want. Also check any allergen information, the date shown and the storage instructions. The DGCCRF states that mandatory information on food sold in France must be visible, legible and written at least in French.
How should you store an opened jar of instant coffee?
Close it carefully and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The product listings for NESCAFÉ Espresso Intenso and Auchan intense instant coffee say to store them in a cool, dry place; always follow the instructions on your own jar.