Organisers with a Senseo machine on site
If the venue has a machine for soft pods, start by checking that each product is compatible. You can then choose how many pods to order and which coffee profiles to offer.
Who are these formats for?
Organisers with hot water but no pod machine
Instant coffee sticks are made with hot water and counted individually. The box of 80 sticks offered by Auchan is designed for this method of preparation, not for use as soft pods.
Buyers catering for a range of tastes
Classic coffee can make up the bulk of your stock, with other recipes added to suit your guests’ preferences. Check the packaging for each one before serving, especially if you’re offering a drink with ingredients other than coffee.
What should you check before ordering?
Check how coffee will be prepared at the venue before counting servings and splitting your stock between different recipes.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment available | Confirm the type of machine and whether the pods are compatible, or make sure hot water is available for instant coffee sticks. | Without a suitable machine at the venue, I need to avoid ordering pods that can’t be prepared. Around 36% of consumers would put compatibility with the available equipment first. |
| Number of servings | Check the number of units per pack and calculate your stock based on the planned breaks. | If several breaks are planned, I want to be able to serve everyone without running short. Around 29% of consumers would put counting servings first. |
| Choice of recipes | Compare the coffee profiles listed and check the compatibility of each product separately. | When catering for different tastes, I’d rather not offer just one coffee strength. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise variety. |
| Ingredients and waste sorting | Check the packaging for each recipe and, if it mentions composting, check what waste collection is available on site. | When serving several recipes, I need to be able to tell participants what they contain and organise waste sorting after the break. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this information. |
Service mistakes to avoid
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Confusing instant coffee sticks with soft pods
The word ‘pod’ can refer to different products: an instant coffee stick is mixed with hot water, while a soft pod is used with a compatible machine.
Specify how the coffee will be prepared when you order, then check the product name on each pack.
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Assuming the number on the box is the stock you need
Senseo France offers packs of 40, 54 or 72 soft pods, among other options. You may therefore need several packs to get close to 80 servings, while a box of 80 instant coffee sticks is a different product.
Calculate the total using the unit counts on packs that are suitable for the equipment at the venue.
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Assuming a ‘compostable’ label tells you how to sort the waste
A claim that a product is suitable for industrial composting isn’t enough to determine where to dispose of the pods after the conference.
Check the instructions on the product and find out what waste collection the venue actually provides.
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Assuming every recipe has the same ingredients
Flavoured or milky recipes are not the same as plain coffee. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control points out that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of the relevant food products.
Check the packaging for each recipe and clearly label the different options at the serving point.
Brands and retailers to consider
Senseo
Senseo France offers soft pods in a range of recipes, including classic, mild, strong and decaffeinated.
- Packs of 40, 54 or 72 pods let you build up your stock based on the recipes you choose.
- Some indulgent recipes use double pods, so check the type of drink and the number of servings shown on the pack.
Carte Noire
Its soft pods compatible with Senseo machines include classic, strong and espresso profiles, depending on the recipe.
- These profiles let you add a different strength to a stock made up mainly of classic coffee.
- Check compatibility and waste-sorting instructions for the specific product you order.
Carrefour Sensation
This own-brand range includes Senseo-compatible pods in several profiles, including classic, intense, mild and decaffeinated.
- The range of profiles and pack sizes gives you options for splitting up your stock.
- Check the format and recipe on each pack rather than assuming every product is the same.
Auchan
Its range includes soft pods compatible with Senseo machines, as well as a box of 80 individual L’OR instant coffee sticks.
- This distinction helps you choose between using a machine and making coffee with hot water.
- The ‘80’ on the box of sticks does not mean it contains 80 soft pods.
Pods for a Senseo machine on Joybuy
These products are for use with a machine that accepts Senseo soft pods. The packs of 60 or 100 units don’t each provide a stock of 80 servings, so choose the quantity you need for your event.
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METROPOLE Senseo Classic, 100 pods
A classic coffee option if the venue has a machine that accepts these soft pods.
The pack contains 100 units, which is more than the 80-serving benchmark. Check the information on the packaging before serving.
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CARTE NOIRE Senseo Classique No. 5, 60 pods
A classic option to consider for a machine that accepts Senseo soft pods.
The pack contains 60 pods, so work out how many packs you’ll need if you’re aiming for around 80 servings. Check the information on the packaging before serving.
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METROPOLE Senseo Strong, 100 pods
This strong coffee profile can complement a classic recipe if participants would like a choice and the machine accepts these pods.
The pack contains 100 units, not 80. Check the information on the packaging before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Will a box of 80 units always work with a Senseo machine?
No: the box of 80 units offered by Auchan contains instant coffee sticks that are prepared with hot water. For a Senseo machine, choose soft pods that are clearly labelled as compatible.
How can I provide around 80 coffees using a Senseo machine?
Add up the units in packs of soft pods that are compatible with the machine at the venue. Senseo France offers packs of 40, 54 and 72 pods, among other options. Choose a combination based on the number of servings you need, without confusing these packs with 80 instant coffee sticks.
What should I check on the packaging before serving?
Check the product name, the number of units and the ingredients in each recipe. For the relevant food products, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control says that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted. Pay particular attention to recipes containing ingredients other than coffee.
Can a pod labelled as compostable go in any bin?
No: the correct disposal method depends on the exact wording on the product and the waste collection available at the conference venue. Check both before organising waste sorting after the event.