To go with a sweet breakfast, first choose a format that works with your machine, then look at the tasting notes listed on the pack. Caramel, chocolate, toasted bread or roasted cereals may help you choose more than intensity alone. Ground coffee and beans let you adjust how you make your coffee, provided you have the right equipment; with capsules, check the exact system they’re designed for. If you’d also like to enjoy this coffee in the evening, check the caffeine content of the specific product rather than assuming decaffeinated means caffeine-free.
If you’re looking for a coffee to serve with a brioche bun, chocolate or toast, the caramel, chocolate, toasted bread and roasted cereal notes described by illy and Carte Noire are worth exploring. These descriptions don’t guarantee that you’ll enjoy the taste.
Before choosing by flavour, identify your machine’s system. Capsules for Nespresso Original and those designed for Lavazza A Modo Mio aren’t interchangeable.
If you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake with a late-night cup, check the information for the coffee you’re buying. ‘Decaffeinated’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘caffeine-free’.
First, check that the format works with your machine, then choose a flavour profile that appeals to you. If you’re planning to drink it in the evening, check the product’s caffeine content separately.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | The caffeine content listed on the label of the product you’ve chosen, especially if you’re having a late-night cup. | If I also drink espresso in the evening, I want to know how much caffeine the coffee I buy contains. Around 36% of consumers prioritise reducing their intake. |
| Flavour profile | The tasting notes listed for the product, particularly caramel, chocolate, toasted bread or roasted cereals. | With a brioche bun or sweet toast, I first look for a flavour I’ll enjoy alongside my food. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this pairing. |
| Compatibility | The exact machine system: Nespresso Original and Lavazza A Modo Mio use different capsules. | If I use a capsule machine, I need to be able to make the coffee before I can enjoy its aromas. Around 21% of consumers prioritise compatibility over other factors. |
| Format and settings | Beans, ground coffee or capsules, depending on your equipment; for beans and ground coffee, check what settings your machine offers. | I want to choose between a ready-to-use capsule and a brew where I can adjust the dose or grind. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this choice of format. |
The caffeine content listed for one product doesn’t automatically apply to others. If you’re having a late-night cup, this difference matters if you’re trying to limit your caffeine intake.
Check the label on the pack you’ve chosen. illy states that its ground Decaffeinated Espresso contains no more than 0.1% caffeine; don’t assume this figure applies to another product.
You might like the flavour description, but the capsule may not fit your machine: Nespresso Original and Lavazza A Modo Mio are two different systems.
Check the system name on your machine and compare it with the compatibility information on the box.
A box designed for another system won’t work with your machine.
The intensity ratings used by illy, Carte Noire and Lavazza are based on their own scales. They aren’t enough to predict how an espresso will taste with sweet foods.
Use the intensity rating as a guide within a range, then check the tasting notes listed for the specific product.
These brands offer different formats. The brand name doesn’t replace the need to check your machine or the specific product.
Decaffeinated options in beans and across several capsule systems.
Ground Decaffeinated Espresso is for people whose machines accept ground coffee.
Espresso Décaféiné N°5 is available in capsules designed for Nespresso Original.
A ground decaffeinated coffee option for machines that accept this format.
The decaffeinated range lets you explore several formats, including beans, ground coffee and capsules.
These are decaffeinated espresso capsules. Choose them according to your machine’s system: Dolce Gusto, Nespresso Original or Lavazza A Modo Mio. Then check the details of the product you’re interested in, whether you’re pairing it with a sweet breakfast or making a late-night cup.
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Worth considering if your machine uses capsules compatible with Dolce Gusto and you’d like to make a decaffeinated espresso at breakfast. The pack contains 16 capsules and weighs 112 g; if you’re having a late-night cup, check the caffeine content on the packaging.
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Worth considering for a Nespresso Original machine if you prefer capsules to ground coffee. This product comes in a pack of 30 capsules; check that it’s compatible with your exact machine and, if you’re drinking it late, check the caffeine content listed on the pack.
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Another option to consider if you use a Dolce Gusto machine and are looking for decaffeinated espresso capsules. The product details state that the pack contains 16 capsules and weighs 112 g; check the packaging for the flavour profile and caffeine content.
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Worth considering if your machine uses the Lavazza A Modo Mio system and you’d like decaffeinated espresso capsules. The pack contains 36 capsules; don’t choose it for a Nespresso Original machine, and check the packaging if the caffeine content matters for a late-night cup.
No, you shouldn’t assume that. illy states that its ground Decaffeinated Espresso contains no more than 0.1% caffeine; check the information for each other product separately.
Descriptions of caramel, chocolate, toasted bread or roasted cereals can help you choose a flavour profile you’d like to try. illy lists the first three notes for its ground decaffeinated espresso, while Carte Noire lists caramel and roasted cereal notes for Espresso Décaféiné N°5. These are the brands’ descriptions, not a guarantee of taste.
No, the two systems use different capsules. Carte Noire Espresso Décaféiné N°5 and Lavazza Decaf are designed for Nespresso Original, while Lavazza Dek Cremoso is for A Modo Mio. Check your machine’s system before ordering.
illy recommends storing this product away from light and heat, preferably in the fridge after opening. If you buy another ground coffee, follow the storage instructions on its pack.
No. If you’re trying to limit your caffeine intake in the evening, check the content listed for the product you’ve chosen. Anses notes that caffeine sensitivity and its effects on sleep vary from person to person, so the word ‘decaffeinated’ alone isn’t enough to assess what’s right for you.