For a group afternoon tea, choose sticks if serving one cup at a time is your priority, or ground coffee if you have a suitable coffee maker for preparing several cups. Before planning to buy a box of 240 sachets, check the exact unit count and whether your chosen pack is available. ‘Decaffeinated’ does not mean ‘caffeine-free’.
At a care home or community group, you need to serve several cups using the equipment and time available. Sticks save you having to measure out ground coffee for each cup; a pack of ground coffee needs to be prepared using a compatible coffee maker.
If you’re concerned about caffeine, particularly because of its effect on sleep, choosing decaffeinated coffee doesn’t remove the need to consider your personal circumstances: it may still contain caffeine. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) notes that caffeine can disrupt sleep.
You want to match the coffee format to your equipment and the strength you’re looking for. The ground coffee options featured by Auchan and Carte Noire have different strength ratings, which should be understood as specific to each product.
For an afternoon tea for older people, first decide how the coffee will be prepared and served. Then check the exact pack size and the preferences of the people you’re serving.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | The ‘decaffeinated’ label and type of coffee; take personal sensitivity to caffeine into account. | If caffeine could disrupt my sleep, I want to limit how much I consume without assuming decaffeinated coffee contains none at all. Around 33% of consumers make this their top concern. |
| Serving a group | The actual number of portions and the equipment needed to prepare the cups. | When several people are waiting for coffee, I need a serving method that’s easy to organise and quantities that suit the group. This convenience comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Taste and preparation | Whether it’s instant or ground, whether it’s compatible with your equipment, and its stated strength. | I prefer to choose a coffee that suits my coffee maker and tastes good to the people I’m serving. Around 20% of consumers make this their top criterion. |
| Storage | The pack size and storage instructions after opening. | If afternoon teas are held infrequently, I want to be able to use the coffee I’ve bought on future occasions without leaving an opened pack unsealed. Storage is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Decaffeinated coffee may still contain caffeine. For people who are sensitive to it, ANSES notes that caffeine’s effects on sleep and individual sensitivity are worth bearing in mind.
Read the product description and, if a health condition or medication raises a personal concern, ask a healthcare professional for advice.
An individual portion format won’t necessarily come in the pack size you’re looking for: Carrefour describes its Carrefour Extra product as containing 25 sticks of 2 g, and its product page lists it as unavailable.
Before arranging a large-scale serving, check the number of sachets in your chosen box and whether it’s available.
Unlike an instant coffee stick, ground coffee needs to be measured and prepared using suitable equipment. This takes time when several cups need to be served at once.
Before choosing ground coffee, confirm the preparation method, how many cups you need to serve and who will be responsible for serving them.
NESCAFÉ offers a range of decaffeinated coffees. Choose a specific product based on its format and preparation method.
Carrefour offers Carte Noire 100% Arabica decaffeinated ground coffee, with a stated strength of 7, in two 250 g packs.
Carrefour Extra decaffeinated instant coffee is available in a pack of 25 sticks of 2 g.
Auchan offers 250 g of 100% Arabica decaffeinated ground coffee, with a stated strength of 5/10. According to Auchan, a 250 g organic option is also decaffeinated without solvents.
E.Leclerc offers ECO+ decaffeinated ground coffee in a 250 g pack.
These products show three ways to cater for afternoon tea: decaffeinated café au lait sticks, a 100 g NESCAFÉ product whose preparation method you’ll need to check, and ground coffee. Choose according to how you plan to serve it rather than assuming any of these is a box of 240 sachets.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to serve decaffeinated café au lait in individual portions.
Pack size shown: 6 pieces, not 240 sachets. Check the ingredients list if anyone you’re serving has dietary restrictions.
Image unavailable
If you’re planning to make several cups from one pack, check that this product’s preparation method is suitable for your equipment.
Size shown: 100 g. This is not a pack of 240 individual portions.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for making several cups if you have equipment suitable for ground coffee.
Pack size shown: 250 g, not 240 sachets. Check the preparation method before buying.
No. ‘Decaffeinated’ doesn’t mean that the coffee contains no caffeine at all. If this matters to the people you’re serving, consider the type of coffee and their individual circumstances rather than assuming the label means it’s entirely caffeine-free.
Decaffeinated coffee may be an option, but your choice should take the person concerned into account. ANSES says caffeine can disrupt sleep and its effects vary depending on individual circumstances. If medication or a health condition raises a concern, ask a healthcare professional for personalised advice.
Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought. For its decaffeinated ground coffee, Auchan recommends sealing the bag tightly and preferably keeping it in the fridge in an airtight container.