Iced coffee lovers keeping an eye on caffeine
You’d like an iced coffee for your mid-morning break and want to be able to check that your chosen product is decaffeinated.
Who are these options for?
People who prefer ready-to-drink options
You’re looking for an individual drink that needs no preparation. However, being iced doesn’t mean it’s decaffeinated: check the product label and storage instructions.
People who check what’s in their snack
You also compare sugar content, whether it contains milk and any listed allergens, particularly if you’re considering an iced latte rather than coffee made from instant or ground coffee.
What should you check before buying?
When choosing between decaffeinated coffee you prepare yourself and a ready-to-drink iced option, first check that the specific product is labelled ‘decaffeinated’. Then compare the formats based on how much preparation time you’re happy to spend and what’s in the drink.
| What to check | Things to look for | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Decaffeinated status | Look for ‘decaffeinated’ on the exact product you’re considering. Distinguish between instant coffee, ground coffee, concentrate and ready-to-drink beverages. | If I want to limit my caffeine intake, coffee served cold isn’t enough to meet my requirements: I look for an explicit statement on the product. Around 45% of consumers put this check at the top of their list. |
| Preparation time | Compare ready-to-drink options with the time it takes to make and cool decaffeinated coffee. Check the instructions for your chosen product. | When my break is short, I prefer a drink I can open without waiting for freshly made coffee to cool. Speed comes before other considerations for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Check the sugar per 100 ml, pack size, ingredients, allergens and storage instructions. | If this drink is part of my snack, I want to know what the whole serving contains and how to store it. Ingredients are the main priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common points of confusion
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Assuming iced coffee is decaffeinated
An iced latte or a concentrate to dilute may contain coffee without its name indicating that it is decaffeinated. The temperature at which you drink it tells you nothing about this.
Look for the word ‘decaffeinated’ on the packaging of the product you plan to buy. Don’t assume it from the product category.
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Looking only at the amount of coffee
E.Leclerc’s product listing for PLANTATION iced coffee latte and Auchan’s listing for Starbucks Caffè Latte both state 8,4 g of sugars per 100 ml. These are milk-based drinks, so their ingredients deserve as much attention as their format.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 ml with the amount you plan to drink, then check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
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Choosing a specific product without checking where to buy it
Ready-to-drink beverages and coffee you prepare yourself aren’t necessarily sold in the same aisles or available through the same shopping options.
Check whether the product is available from the shop or collection service you use. If necessary, compare it with a decaffeinated instant or ground coffee option.
Brands to know when comparing formats
These products illustrate different formats. Coffee that you prepare yourself and which is explicitly labelled decaffeinated shouldn’t be confused with iced lattes, where you need to check the label of each product individually.
NESCAFÉ
NESCAFÉ’s product listing for Spécial Filtre Décaféiné describes a 100 g instant coffee to be made with hot water, then cooled for your break.
- The Spécial Filtre product is explicitly labelled ‘decaffeinated’.
- The name Espresso Concentrate, also used by NESCAFÉ for making iced coffees, doesn’t tell you whether the concentrate is decaffeinated.
Carte Noire
Carrefour lists Carte Noire Décaféiné 100 % Arabica, Intensité 7 ground coffee, which is brewed before being served cold if desired.
- The product name identifies this as decaffeinated ground coffee.
- This isn’t a ready-to-drink iced beverage: you’ll need a way to brew it and time to let it cool.
PLANTATION
The PLANTATION iced coffee latte listed by E.Leclerc is a ready-to-drink milk-based beverage. Check it separately from decaffeinated coffees that you prepare yourself.
- Its product listing states that it contains 75 % milk and 8,4 g of sugars per 100 ml, both useful details when comparing its ingredients.
- The product listing mentions Arabica coffee, but this doesn’t establish that the drink is decaffeinated.
Starbucks
The 220 ml Starbucks Caffè Latte listed by Auchan is an example of an individual chilled milk-based drink.
- Auchan’s product listing states that it contains 75 % milk and 8,4 g of sugars per 100 ml, and should be stored in the fridge.
- These details don’t confirm that it’s decaffeinated. Check the label of the product you choose.
Decaffeinated coffees to prepare, available on Joybuy
These products offer a way to ‘make decaffeinated coffee, then let it cool’ for your mid-morning break. They include ground coffee, capsules and single-serve formats. Check the instructions and, for capsules, make sure they’re compatible with your machine.
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NESCAFÉ Decaf Filter Coffee 100 g
For making decaffeinated coffee and letting it cool, instead of buying a ready-to-drink iced option.
100 g pack. Check the instructions for this product before preparing it; don’t follow instructions for a different NESCAFÉ coffee.
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GIMOKA GRAN RELAX, decaffeinated ground coffee 250 g
Worth considering if you have a suitable way to brew ground coffee and are happy to let it cool after brewing.
250 g bag. Check the preparation instructions for the product you buy.
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AGF Blendy stick Cafe au Lait Decaffeinated, 6 sticks
Stick packs for making a single serving to cool, rather than a ready-to-drink iced coffee.
‘Decaffeinated’ appears in the product name, but check the packaging too, along with the ingredients and allergens if the contents of the coffee with milk matter to you.
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CARTE NOIRE Decaf Espresso Coffee No. 5, 10 aluminium capsules
For making a single serving of decaffeinated espresso, then letting it cool.
Box of 10 aluminium capsules. Check that they’re fully compatible with your machine before buying.
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Lavazza A Modo Mio Decaf, 36 compatible capsules
For making a serving of decaffeinated coffee to cool, if you use the A Modo Mio system.
Box of 36 capsules. Check they’re compatible with your machine and follow the preparation instructions for this product.
Frequently asked questions
Is iced coffee automatically decaffeinated?
No: ‘iced’ describes how the drink is served, not whether it’s decaffeinated. E.Leclerc’s listing for PLANTATION latte and Auchan’s listing for Starbucks Caffè Latte describe coffee drinks without confirming that they’re decaffeinated. Look for an explicit statement on the product you choose.
How do you serve decaffeinated instant coffee cold?
Make it according to the instructions for that particular product, then leave it to cool before serving it cold. For this product specifically, NESCAFÉ recommends one teaspoon of Spécial Filtre Décaféiné for 100 ml of hot water. Don’t apply this measurement to another instant coffee.
What should you compare on a bottle of iced latte?
Compare the ingredients, allergens, sugar per 100 ml and the total amount you plan to drink. If it matters to you, also check whether it’s labelled ‘decaffeinated’, along with the storage instructions on the bottle.
Should you check whether a product is available before planning your break?
Yes, if you’re relying on a specific product for your shopping: check its availability with the shop or collection service you use. If needed, you can plan to prepare another format that’s explicitly labelled decaffeinated.