To make several iced coffees for lunch and adjust the strength, choose decaffeinated ground coffee if your coffee maker can use it. For drinks made one at a time, capsules and pods mean you don’t have to measure out the coffee, but they must match your machine’s system exactly. ‘Decaffeinated’ does not mean ‘caffeine-free’: if you’re monitoring your intake, remember to include other sources of caffeine too.
If you’d like to adjust the amount of coffee, milk or ice in each glass, ground coffee lets you control how much you make. You’ll need a suitable coffee maker, as well as time to brew and then chill the coffee.
A capsule or pod lets you make drinks one at a time. Check the system specified for each product: a Nespresso-compatible capsule and a Senseo-compatible pod are not interchangeable.
Choosing decaffeinated coffee alone won’t tell you how much caffeine you consume in a day. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) notes in particular that caffeine can disrupt sleep. Remember to check other drinks and products that contain it too, especially if the drink is for a young person.
For lunch, work out how many glasses you’ll be making, then check what equipment you need and that the product you choose is labelled ‘decaffeinated’.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Total caffeine | The exact product’s ‘decaffeinated’ labelling and any other sources of caffeine you consume during the day. | If I want to reduce my caffeine intake, I can’t treat decaffeinated coffee as a caffeine-free drink. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Machine and speed | Your machine’s exact system and the compatibility stated for the capsule or pod. | If I already have a machine at home, I’d rather make each drink without measuring out the coffee, as long as I buy the right format. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Several drinks | Equipment that can use ground coffee and a pack size suited to the number of drinks you plan to make. | When serving several people, I want to be able to adjust each drink and its additions, even if it takes more time. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this flexibility. |
Decaffeinated coffee may still contain caffeine. This matters if you want to keep a close eye on your own intake or that of someone you’re serving.
Check the exact product you’ve chosen and take account of other sources of caffeine throughout the day. Don’t assume a suitable number of drinks for your circumstances without knowing how much caffeine each one contains.
The Nespresso-compatible capsules listed by Auchan and the Senseo-compatible pods listed by Carrefour are designed for different systems.
Check which system your machine uses and confirm compatibility on the product page and packaging before buying.
A portion that isn’t compatible won’t work with the machine you planned to use for lunch.
The intensity rating of 6/12 shown for Auchan’s decaffeinated espresso capsule does not tell you how much caffeine is in a drink.
Use the intensity rating as a guide to choosing a product that suits your taste. To monitor your caffeine intake, check the information for the specific product.
Carrefour lists decaffeinated Carrefour Sensation pods that are compatible with Senseo machines.
E.Leclerc offers Eco+ decaffeinated ground coffee in a 250 g pack.
Auchan offers 100% Arabica decaffeinated espresso capsules, with an intensity rating of 6/12, listed as compatible with Nespresso machines.
Carte Noire offers coffee in several formats. One 250 g product is decaffeinated ground coffee made from pure Arabica, listed as suitable for filter or manual coffee makers. The brand also offers capsules compatible with Nespresso Original.
These products include ground coffee that you can measure out for several drinks, as well as single-serve portions for different machine systems. Start with your equipment and how many drinks you need to make; each one will need to suit your iced coffee recipe.
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For measuring out enough coffee to make several drinks, if your coffee maker can use ground coffee.
Choose a brewing and chilling method that suits your recipe. If you need to monitor your caffeine intake closely, check the available information for the drink you’ve made.
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For making drinks one at a time with a Senseo machine, ready to serve chilled to suit your recipe.
These pods are not a substitute for capsules designed for another system. If the caffeine content per drink matters to you, check the product information.
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For making an espresso base for each drink, then chilling it or adding water to suit the drink you want.
This product is listed as compatible with Nespresso machines; check your machine’s system. The espresso number does not measure the caffeine in each capsule.
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For making single-serve drinks with a Dolce Gusto machine before adapting the coffee for an iced drink.
Check that your machine uses this system and consult the packaging if you need to know the caffeine content per drink.
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For making coffee one portion at a time with a machine that uses the A Modo Mio system, then serving it chilled to suit your recipe.
Check your machine’s system before buying, and consult the packaging information if you’re monitoring caffeine per portion.
No. The label ‘decaffeinated’ does not guarantee that a drink contains no caffeine. If you need to limit your intake precisely, check the product information and take account of other sources you consume during the day.
Decaffeinated coffee does not guarantee that the drink you serve contains no caffeine. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) notes that caffeine can disrupt sleep. If your aim is to avoid caffeine for a young person, choose a drink without coffee instead.
Take account of caffeine from all drinks and other products you consume, even if you’ve chosen decaffeinated coffee. Without knowing how much caffeine is in each glass, don’t turn a general guideline into a number of coffees that’s right for you. Ask a healthcare professional for advice if you’re following a personal recommendation.
Check the exact system your machine uses, then confirm that the product you’ve chosen is listed as compatible. The Auchan capsules mentioned in this article are listed for Nespresso, while Carrefour Sensation pods are listed for Senseo: these two formats are not interchangeable.
Yes. You can brew decaffeinated ground coffee using suitable equipment, then chill it or serve it over ice to suit your recipe. This format lets you adjust the amount for several glasses, but you’ll need to allow time to brew and chill it before serving.