Capsule machine users
Before choosing capsules for an afternoon decaffeinated espresso, check the exact system your machine uses. Don’t assume that a product designed for Nespresso® Original will work with Dolce Gusto.
Who is this guide for?
Espresso lovers who use beans or ground coffee
If you use a grinder, mill or portafilter, choose between beans and ground coffee based on the format your equipment accepts and how you want to prepare your espresso.
Shoppers in store or using click and collect
If you’re adding decaffeinated coffee to your usual shop, check the format, pack size and products available at your chosen store or for click and collect.
What should you look for when shopping?
First, make sure the coffee is suitable for your machine. Then compare the flavour profile and pack size to help you choose between products in the right format.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Format and compatibility | Check the capsule system listed on the box, or make sure your appliance accepts beans or ground coffee. | If I have a capsule machine, I want to avoid bringing home a box I can’t use. Compatibility would be the top priority for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Caffeine content | Read the product description and, where provided, the stated caffeine content. | For my afternoon break, I mainly want to limit my caffeine intake without assuming there’s none. Around 27 % of consumers would put this need first. |
| Flavour profile | Check the flavour notes and roast level listed for the product you’ve chosen. An intensity rating alone doesn’t tell you what it tastes like. | If I drink this espresso regularly, I want a profile that suits my preferences. Taste would come first for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Pack size and availability | Check the number of capsules or pods, or the quantity of beans or ground coffee, then see what’s available at your chosen store or for click and collect. | I’d like to find my decaf as part of my usual shop, in a pack size that suits me. This would be the top priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing capsules based only on the words “decaffeinated espresso”
Carte Noire capsules for Nespresso® Original and the Auchan product compatible with Dolce Gusto are designed for different systems.
Check the exact name of your machine’s system and look for the same wording on the product you buy.
You won’t be able to use an incompatible box in your machine.
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Assuming “decaffeinated” means “caffeine-free”
Check the stated content for the specific product: illy sets a limit of 0,1 % for one of its decaffeinated ground espresso coffees, but this figure doesn’t apply to all decaf products.
If you’re looking for a specific caffeine content, check the information on the product you’re considering.
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Putting a compostable pod in your home compost
Carte Noire says that the relevant soft decaffeinated pods should not be disposed of in home compost, the garden or the countryside.
Read the instructions on the pack and follow your local council’s collection guidelines.
Brands and retailers to know
Lavazza
Worth considering if you make your decaffeinated espresso from beans.
- Lavazza describes its 500 g Decaf beans as suitable for espresso and moka, with a medium roast and fruity notes.
- These beans require suitable equipment and don’t tell you whether capsules will work with your machine.
illy
A range to explore if you’re choosing between beans, ground coffee and different single-serve systems.
- illy offers decaffeinated products as beans, ground coffee, capsules and E.S.E. pods.
- Check the format and system for each product: the maximum caffeine content of 0,1 % stated for one illy ground espresso coffee doesn’t apply to the whole range.
Carte Noire
Look at the different products depending on whether you use Nespresso® Original capsules or soft pods.
- Carte Noire describes its Espresso Décaféiné N° 5 capsules, compatible with Nespresso® Original, as 100 % Arabica with notes of caramel and toasted cereal.
- For the relevant soft decaffeinated pods, the brand advises against home composting. Check the instructions on the pack.
Carrefour
A retailer where you can compare decaffeinated formats for your machine while shopping.
- Carrefour offers, among other products, decaffeinated Carrefour Sensation pods compatible with Senseo and a decaffeinated Carte Noire product compatible with Nespresso.
- Check what’s available at your chosen store or for click and collect before deciding which product to buy.
Leclerc
A retailer to consider if you’re looking for decaffeinated ground coffee as part of your shop.
- E.Leclerc offers ECO+ decaffeinated ground coffee in a 250 g pack.
- For this product, check what’s available to buy from your local store or for click and collect.
Auchan
A retailer where you can explore decaf beans, ground coffee or capsules to suit your equipment.
- Auchan offers, among other products, a decaffeinated espresso capsule compatible with Dolce Gusto, described as 100 % Arabica with an intensity of 5/10.
- Check that the product you choose is compatible and available at your selected store or for click and collect.
Decaffeinated capsules on Joybuy
These products are for making decaffeinated espresso with capsules. First, choose one that suits your machine’s system. If you use beans or ground coffee, the format criteria above still apply.
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Carte Noire Nespresso Demi Decaf, 30 capsules
For a capsule coffee break with a Nespresso machine, check that the stated compatibility matches your appliance exactly.
Box of 30 decaffeinated capsules. Check the label if you’re looking for a specific caffeine content.
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GIMOKA Decaffeinated Espresso compatible with Dolce Gusto, 16 capsules, 112 g
This product is for people who use the Dolce Gusto system and want decaffeinated espresso in capsules.
Pack size: 16 capsules weighing 112 g. Check the stated caffeine content if it’s an important factor in your choice.
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Carte Noire Decaffeinated Espresso N° 5, 10 aluminium capsules
If you’re looking for decaffeinated espresso capsules for your Nespresso machine, check the system compatibility of the product you choose.
Box of 10 aluminium capsules. If you need a specific figure, check the caffeine content on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Is decaffeinated espresso caffeine-free?
Don’t assume it contains no caffeine: check the stated content for the specific product. For example, illy states that one of its decaffeinated ground espresso coffees contains no more than 0,1 % caffeine. This figure doesn’t automatically apply to other products.
How do I choose capsules that work with my machine?
Look for the name of your machine’s system clearly stated on the box. The Carte Noire capsules mentioned for Nespresso® Original and the Auchan product compatible with Dolce Gusto shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable.
Can a pod labelled as compostable go in my garden compost?
Not necessarily. Carte Noire says that the relevant soft decaffeinated pods shouldn’t go in home compost, the garden or the countryside. Follow the instructions on the product and your local council’s collection guidelines.