Who are these formats for?

Teams serving coffee without a dedicated machine

Instant coffee sticks let you make a cup with hot water and keep track of the servings used during service. They do require manual preparation.

Care homes already equipped for soft pods

Decaffeinated pods let you prepare coffee by the cup, provided the machine model on site accepts the format specified on the product. Confirm compatibility before placing a bulk order.

Managers following individual guidance on caffeine

Decaffeinated coffee can be included as part of the service, but it does not replace the instructions for each resident concerned. Anses points out that the effects of caffeine vary according to factors including health, habits and certain medicines.

What should you check before ordering?

Instant decaffeinated coffee sticks

Consider these : for serving individual cups without a dedicated coffee machine.

Bear in mind : you’ll need hot water and will have to prepare each cup by hand.

Decaffeinated soft pods

Consider these : if your care home already has a compatible machine and you want to make coffee by the cup.

Bear in mind : service depends on the machine, so you can’t move it to an area without suitable equipment.

For meals in care homes, the preparation method and number of servings needed determine which format to consider. You should also check individual instructions and the storage conditions for the product you choose.

Criterion What to check Consumers concerned
Servings and restocking Count the sticks or pods in each box and case, then compare the total with the number of cups planned. When organising several meals, I want to be able to count the servings and plan ahead for restocking. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this need for portion control.
Instructions relating to caffeine Check the coffee description and follow the individual instructions in place at the care home. If a resident has specific instructions, I need to keep the product choice separate from the decision about their care. This individual check comes first for around 29% of consumers.
Equipment and service Confirm the machine model for pods, or make sure hot water is available for sticks. At mealtimes, I need a format that works with the service equipment. Compatibility and preparation are the priority for around 21% of consumers.
Storage and identification Check the storage instructions and keep product information with the stored servings. If cases are opened and then distributed between services, I still want to be able to identify the products. Around 14% of consumers put storage and this information at the heart of their choice.

Mistakes to avoid when buying

  • Assuming a case contains 240 servings

    Pack sizes vary: Auchan lists a box of 25 decaffeinated sticks, while JDE Professional offers Senseo Decaffeinated in packs of 10 boxes of 40 pods. A case of 12 boxes of 25 L’OR Classique sticks contains 300 sticks, but this Classique product is not decaffeinated.

    Check the number of units in each box and case for the exact decaffeinated product, then compare it with the number of servings needed over the service period.

    Miscounting the pack size could leave you with too many servings in stock or mean you need to restock sooner than expected.

  • Ordering pods without checking the machine

    A claim that pods are compatible with soft-pod machines does not confirm they will work with every machine at your care home.

    Note down the machine model and check it against the stated compatibility of the pods you’re considering.

    Incompatible pods cannot be used with the machine intended for service.

  • Assuming ‘decaffeinated’ is suitable for everyone

    According to Anses, the effects of caffeine vary from person to person, depending on factors including health, habits and certain medicines. Choosing decaffeinated coffee for everyone does not replace individual instructions.

    For a resident who has a restriction, follow the care home’s protocol and consult the appropriate professional where the protocol requires it.

  • Splitting up servings without keeping their product information

    Once servings have been removed from the case, it can be difficult to find details about ingredients, batch number or storage when you need them during service.

    Keep the label or another way of identifying the product, linked to the packaging and supplier’s product information, in line with your care home’s procedures.

Brands to consider by format

Auchan

The freeze-dried decaffeinated instant coffee listed by Auchan comes in 25 sticks, weighing 50 g, with a stated intensity of 6/10.

  • Individual servings are suitable for making coffee by hand, one cup at a time.
  • A box of 25 sticks is not a pack of 240 servings.

Carte Noire

The decaffeinated product listed by Auchan contains 36 soft pods. Its product information states an intensity of 5 and 100% Arabica coffee.

  • The product information states that it is compatible with soft-pod machines.
  • Check your machine model; the 36 pods do not make up a box of 240.

L’OR / JDE Professional

JDE Professional lists L’OR Classique in cases of 12 boxes of 25 sticks, giving a total of 300 sticks.

  • This pack size shows why it’s important to distinguish the number of boxes from the number of servings.
  • The L’OR Classique product mentioned is not decaffeinated, so it should not replace an order for decaffeinated coffee.

Senseo / JDE Professional

JDE Professional lists Senseo Decaffeinated in packs of 10 boxes of 40 soft pods, giving a total of 400 pods.

  • This pack size makes it easy to count the pods for a service equipped for this format.
  • Check that the machine is compatible and adjust your order if you need exactly 240 servings.

Decaffeinated pods available on Joybuy

This selection is for serving coffee by the cup using decaffeinated pods compatible with Senseo machines. It’s worth considering if you’re looking to stock up on pods, but the pack shown contains 36 units, not 240.

GIMOKA decaffeinated coffee pods compatible with Senseo, box of 36 pods

GIMOKA decaffeinated pods compatible with Senseo, 36 pods, 252 g

For serving decaffeinated coffee by the cup with a machine compatible with the pods listed as Senseo-compatible.

The pack contains 36 pods weighing 252 g, not 240 servings. Check compatibility with your care home’s machine model before ordering.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can you check whether 240 servings will be enough for meals?

Count the decaffeinated cups planned for each service and each day, then calculate the total for the period the order needs to cover. Compare this with the actual number of sticks or pods in each box and case: needing 240 servings does not mean a supplier will offer a box of 240 units.

Can soft pods replace sticks?

Yes, for a service with a machine compatible with the pods you’ve chosen. They can’t replace sticks at a service point without that machine. Check the equipment model before deciding which format to order.

Is decaffeinated coffee automatically suitable for all residents?

No. The term ‘decaffeinated’ does not replace individual instructions. Anses says the effects of caffeine vary according to factors including health, habits and certain medicines. For any resident concerned, follow the care home’s protocol.

What information should you keep when a case of servings is opened?

Keep the information needed to identify the product and its storage conditions, even if the servings are distributed between several services. The packaging and supplier’s product information can help you find details such as the ingredients and batch number associated with the servings.