Teams looking for a full-bodied cup
For a short espresso with a pronounced flavour after a meal, the stated intensity is a useful guide within a range. The coffee you choose must also suit the equipment already in place.
Who is this choice for?
Teams using a specific machine system
A machine that takes Nespresso Original capsules, an E.S.E. machine and equipment that uses coffee beans all require different coffee formats.
Teams planning to offer an alternative
Where an individual requirement calls for it, the service may need a decaffeinated coffee that suits its machine, as well as a full-bodied espresso.
What should you check before buying?
When choosing coffee to serve after a meal in a care home, start with the preparation system available. Then choose a flavour profile while keeping residents’ requirements in mind.
| Criterion | What to check | Relevant considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Full-bodied flavour | The intensity rating on the brand’s scale and the tasting notes; compare products from the same range. | For a small cup with a pronounced flavour after a meal, I’d focus on the flavour profile. Around 42% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Compatibility | The system specified for the machine and the exact coffee format: Nespresso Original capsules, E.S.E. pods or beans. | If the service uses a machine that’s already in place, I want to be able to prepare every cup with the equipment available. Compatibility would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Individual requirements | The care home’s requirements and whether a decaffeinated option is available in a compatible format. | If some residents need an alternative, my first priority is being able to meet that requirement. This would come first for around 25% of consumers. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Comparing intensity ratings directly
Lavazza gives Espresso Italiano Intenso E.S.E. a rating of 8/10, illy gives Intenso E.S.E. 5/9 and Carte Noire gives Espresso Puissant N°11 a rating of 11/13. These brand-specific scales don’t measure caffeine content, so they can’t be used to rank the coffees directly against one another.
Compare the tasting notes and, before choosing a coffee to serve, try a small amount using your intended preparation method.
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Ordering a format that doesn’t suit the machine
Nespresso Original capsules, E.S.E. pods and coffee beans are designed for different preparation methods.
Check the machine’s model number and confirm the format it accepts on the coffee packaging before placing a bulk order.
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Planning to serve the same coffee to every resident
According to Anses, the effects of caffeine vary depending on factors including a person’s health, certain medicines and their consumption habits. A fuller-bodied flavour alone doesn’t tell you how much caffeine a coffee contains.
Check the care home’s requirements and have a suitable option available when an individual requirement calls for it. Don’t assume someone has a particular need based on their age alone.
Brands to consider
Carte Noire
A range of capsules stated to be compatible with Nespresso Original machines, including Espresso Intense N°9, Espresso Puissant N°11 and a decaffeinated option.
- Carte Noire gives Espresso Puissant N°11 an intensity rating of 11/13; this is a guide to the brand’s own flavour profile.
- This rating doesn’t measure caffeine content, and the stated compatibility with Nespresso Original capsules doesn’t extend to other systems.
Lavazza
Espresso Italiano Intenso is available in E.S.E. pods; Lavazza also offers separate capsules compatible with Nespresso Original machines.
- Lavazza gives its Espresso Italiano Intenso pods an intensity rating of 8/10 and describes them as having a strong flavour.
- E.S.E. pods and Nespresso Original capsules aren’t interchangeable, so check the product and the machine.
illy
The Intenso E.S.E. pod option is for services with a machine that accepts this format.
- illy describes its Intenso pods as producing a rich, full-bodied espresso.
- illy’s intensity rating can’t be compared directly with the scales used by other brands.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour Extra Espresso is a coffee bean option to consider if your service has equipment that accepts beans.
- Carrefour describes this coffee as intense and rich in aroma.
- Coffee beans require suitable equipment; trying them with your service’s settings will help you assess the flavour in the cup.
Espressos available on Joybuy
These capsule and coffee bean options can be considered according to the equipment used for your service. Check the system required for each capsule and, for beans, the preparation equipment before choosing a full-bodied flavour profile.
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STARBUCKS Espresso Roast, 10 Nespresso capsules
Worth considering if your service prepares cups using a capsule machine; check which Nespresso system the machine accepts before buying.
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Carte Noire Espresso Puissant N°11, 10 aluminium capsules
For a service with a Nespresso Original machine that’s looking for the full-bodied flavour described by Carte Noire.
The brand gives this product an intensity rating of 11/13; this figure doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains.
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Carte Noire Espresso Intenso No. 9 (Dolce), 60 capsules
Consider this for a capsule-based service only after checking the system specified on the box: the Dolce label on this variant shouldn’t be taken to mean it’s compatible with Nespresso Original.
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KIMBO Espresso Napoli beans, 10/13, 500 g
For a service with equipment suited to coffee beans that wants to try an espresso with a stated intensity of 10/13.
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KIMBO Espresso Crema Intensa beans, 11/13, 1 kg
Worth considering if your service uses beans and is looking for an espresso with an intensity rating of 11/13; check that your machine or grinder accepts this format.
Frequently asked questions
Does an espresso described as ‘extra strong’ always contain more caffeine?
No. The stated intensity of these coffees describes their flavour profile and, on its own, doesn’t let you compare their caffeine content. If there’s an individual requirement to consider, don’t rely on the number on the packet alone.
How do you choose between capsules and pods for a care home machine?
Choose the format that the machine in place explicitly accepts. Carte Noire Espresso Puissant N°11 capsules are stated to be compatible with Nespresso Original machines, while the Lavazza Espresso Italiano Intenso and illy Intenso pods featured here require an E.S.E. machine. These formats aren’t interchangeable.
When should you offer a decaffeinated espresso?
Have a decaffeinated option available when an individual requirement or the way your service is organised calls for one, and check that it’s available in a format compatible with your machine. Anses notes that the effects of caffeine vary depending on several factors; Carte Noire and Lavazza offer decaffeinated options in their ranges of capsules compatible with Nespresso Original machines.