People short on time at lunch
You want to make a cup with hot water, without using a coffee machine. NESCAFÉ decaf instant coffee is described as being prepared directly in the cup.
Who is this choice for?
People who already have a coffee machine
You’d like to stick with your usual brewing method. Auchan and Malongo product pages describe ground coffees for specific methods; Carrefour also offers decaf coffee beans.
People drawn to individually wrapped tea bags
You’re looking for a simple way to make a drink, but still want coffee. Before choosing a pyramid tea bag, check the product name and ingredients: Papothé’s collection features teas and infusions.
What should you check?
For your home-working lunch break, first decide what you’d like to drink, then choose a format that suits the time and equipment you have available.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| What the drink is | Read the product name, ingredients and preparation instructions; a pyramid shape alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s decaf coffee. | I want coffee, even if I’m drawn to the convenience of a tea bag, and I don’t want to accidentally buy tea or an infusion. Around 33% of consumers make identifying the drink their priority. |
| Quick preparation | For instant coffee, check the recommended serving size and volume of water for the product you choose. | Between meetings, I’d rather make a cup with hot water than get out a coffee machine. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Available coffee machine | Check that the ground coffee suits your brewing method and follow the recommended amount for it. | I already have a filter, stovetop or percolator coffee maker and want to buy coffee that suits it. Compatibility is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Whole-bean coffee | Check that your machine takes whole beans, then choose an amount that makes sense for how much coffee you drink. | I want to use my bean-to-cup machine or grinder, even if it takes more steps than instant coffee. Around 13% of consumers prioritise this format. |
| Decaffeination | If the process matters to you, look for details on the specific product rather than assuming they apply to every product from that brand. | I want to know which process is stated for the coffee I’m buying, without assuming all decaf coffees are made in the same way. This is the priority for around 7% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing a pyramid tea bag with decaf coffee
Papothé’s pyramid tea bag collection features teas and infusions. The shape of the bag alone won’t tell you what drink you’re buying.
Check that the product name and ingredients confirm that it’s decaf coffee.
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Choosing the format before checking your equipment
Instant coffee is made in a cup with hot water; ground coffee and beans need suitable equipment.
Start with the coffee maker or grinder you have, then check how to prepare the product you’re considering.
Depending on your equipment, you may also need filters or a grinder.
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Assuming ‘decaf’ means ‘caffeine-free’
In France, the decree of 3 April 1991 defines decaf coffee as coffee from which caffeine has been removed; the term alone doesn’t mean it contains no caffeine.
If the exact caffeine content matters to you, check the manufacturer’s information for the product in question.
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Buying a large pack without thinking about storage
The pack size should suit how much coffee you drink and the product’s storage instructions.
Read the instructions before buying, and reseal the coffee after opening as directed on the packaging.
Brands to know by format
NESCAFÉ
Worth considering if you’re looking for decaf instant coffee to make in a cup.
- NESCAFÉ France recommends one teaspoon of Spécial Filtre Décaféiné per 100 ml of hot water.
- These instructions apply to this instant coffee, not to coffee in a pyramid tea bag.
Auchan
An option for anyone using a paper-filter coffee maker and looking for ground decaf coffee.
- Auchan Bio’s product listing describes a 100% Arabica ground decaf coffee, with a stated intensity of 5 and a note that it’s decaffeinated without solvents.
- If you use a method other than a paper filter, check the instructions for the product you choose.
Carrefour
A brand to consider if you make coffee with a bean-to-cup machine or a grinder.
- Carrefour offers an Extra 100% Arabica decaf coffee in whole-bean form.
- Whole beans need suitable equipment; you can’t simply make them in a cup with hot water.
Malongo
A ground decaf coffee worth considering for your preferred brewing method.
- Malongo’s listing on Auchan mentions percolators, stovetop coffee makers and filter coffee makers.
- Check the recommended amount for your method rather than using the same amount for every coffee maker.
Carte Noire
A brand to consider if you’re choosing between ground decaf coffee and capsules.
- Auchan’s selection of decaf coffees includes Carte Noire ground coffee and capsules compatible with Nespresso machines.
- For capsules, check that the specific product is compatible with your machine.
Decaf coffees to consider on Joybuy
These products include coffee to make in a cup, coffee pods or capsules for specific machines, and ground coffee. Choose based on your equipment first; a pod or capsule isn’t a pyramid tea bag to steep in a cup.
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NESCAFÉ Decaf Filter Coffee, 100 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for decaf coffee for a short break; check the jar’s preparation instructions for your cup. Pack size: 100 g.
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GIMOKA decaf coffee pods compatible with Senseo, 36 pods, 252 g
For a break with a compatible Senseo machine. The pack contains 36 pods, weighing 252 g in total; you’ll need the corresponding machine to use them.
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CARTE NOIRE Demi, 30 decaf capsules compatible with Nespresso
For anyone using a machine compatible with the Nespresso system listed. This pack contains 30 capsules; check that they’re compatible with your machine before buying.
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NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Lungo Décafe, 16 capsules
For making decaf coffee with a compatible NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto machine. The pack contains 16 Lungo capsules; you’ll need a machine to prepare them.
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GIMOKA GRAN RELAX, ground decaf coffee, 250 g
Worth considering if your equipment takes ground coffee. This pack contains 250 g; check that the grind and preparation method suit your coffee maker.
Frequently asked questions
Does decaf coffee always contain no caffeine?
No. The term ‘decaf’ doesn’t guarantee that a coffee contains no caffeine. In France, the decree of 3 April 1991 defines it as coffee from which caffeine has been removed. If you need to know the exact caffeine content before choosing, check the manufacturer’s information for the specific product.
Does a pyramid tea bag improve the way decaf coffee is prepared?
The pyramid shape doesn’t mean that decaf coffee will be prepared any better. Papothé’s pyramid tea bag collection features teas and infusions, so first check that the product you’re considering actually contains coffee.
Which decaf coffee can you make without a coffee machine during a short break?
Decaf instant coffee is suitable for making in a cup with hot water. For its Spécial Filtre Décaféiné, NESCAFÉ France recommends one teaspoon per 100 ml of hot water; follow the instructions for the product you buy.
How should you store decaf coffee after opening?
Follow the instructions on the packaging and reseal it after use. Auchan Bio’s ground decaf coffee listing, for example, recommends keeping it away from heat and moisture.