Stallholders with an E.S.E. machine
If your machine is explicitly compatible with E.S.E. pods, this format lets you use pre-portioned coffee. Lavazza and Carte Noire offer this type of pod, but always check that it works with your machine.
Who is this guide for?
Stallholders using a capsule machine
Identify your machine’s system before choosing capsules. Lavazza’s Nespresso® Original-compatible capsules and illy Iperespresso capsules are designed for different systems.
Stallholders who want control over preparation
Ground coffee or whole beans may be suitable if your equipment lets you control the grind, dose and extraction. This involves more steps than using pre-portioned coffee ready to brew.
What should you look for?
For a Christmas market stall, start with the machine you have, then consider how you’ll prepare coffee during service, the coffee you want to offer and any requirements for selling it.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Machine compatibility | Note down your machine’s model and confirm which format it accepts: E.S.E. pods, a specific capsule system, ground coffee or whole beans. | If my machine is already set up at the stall, I want to avoid ordering coffee I can’t use. Around 36% of the consumers concerned would put compatibility at the top of their list. |
| Serving steps | Practise preparing and removing a pod, or measuring out ground coffee, using the machine you’ll have at the stall. | During busy periods, I want a preparation method the team can repeat without slowing down service. Around 29% of the consumers concerned would prioritise keeping the steps simple. |
| Coffee choice | Compare the coffees available in a compatible format. If you use ground coffee or whole beans, check what adjustments your equipment allows. | I want to choose the coffee I serve and, if my equipment allows, adjust how it’s prepared. Around 21% of the consumers concerned would put this first. |
| Terms of sale | Check the stall requirements with the local council or organiser. If you’re reselling prepacked products, make sure the French labelling is clear and legible. | Before buying stock, I want to know the terms for selling or serving coffee. Around 14% of the consumers concerned would make these checks their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a ‘pyramid bag’ is an E.S.E. pod
The name of the bag alone doesn’t tell you how to prepare it or which machine system you need. Don’t assume a product designed for infusion will work in an espresso machine.
Check the product details to find out whether it should be infused or extracted, then look for an explicit statement confirming compatibility with your machine.
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Ordering before identifying your machine’s system
E.S.E. pods, Nespresso® Original-compatible capsules and illy Iperespresso capsules are designed for different systems.
Make a note of your machine’s model, check its instructions and try the format you’ve chosen in the machine before ordering your market stock.
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Planning to sell without checking the stall requirements
According to the DGCCRF, selling on public roads requires authorisation from the local council. The applicable requirements depend, among other things, on the location and the activity.
Ask the local council or organiser which permits, dates and opening hours apply to your stall, as well as what hygiene requirements are appropriate for your planned preparation method.
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Repacking prepacked products without checking the labelling
For prepacked food sold in France, the DGCCRF states that mandatory information must remain visible, legible and written in French at a minimum.
If you’re reselling prepacked packets or portions, check the information on the packaging before displaying them to consumers.
Coffee brands to know for these formats
Lavazza
Lavazza offers E.S.E. pods, Nespresso® Original-compatible capsules, and ground or whole-bean espresso coffee.
- Depending on the machine you use, these formats give you the option of pre-portioned coffee or coffee you can measure out yourself.
- Compatibility with one format doesn’t mean it will work with other machine systems.
illy
illy offers E.S.E. pods as well as Iperespresso capsules for use in machines with its Iperespresso system.
- The brand distinguishes between E.S.E. pods and its Iperespresso capsules.
- Iperespresso capsules aren’t suitable for E.S.E. or Nespresso® Original machines.
Carte Noire
Carte Noire offers a range of soft E.S.E. pods, alongside whole-bean, ground and capsule coffees.
- According to Carte Noire, each E.S.E. pod in this range contains 7 g of ground coffee in a filter-paper wrapper.
- Check that your specific machine model accepts E.S.E. pods before choosing this range.
Formats available on Joybuy
These products include espresso capsules and ground or whole-bean coffee for suitable machines. Choose according to the equipment and preparation method planned for your stall: none of these formats should be mistaken for a pyramid bag.
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L'OR Espresso Ristretto no. 11, 50 capsules
Worth considering if you want to serve coffee in capsules and the stall’s machine accepts the Nespresso® Original system.
Pack of 50 capsules; check compatibility on the packaging before buying.
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L'OR Espresso Brazil, 30 capsules
Consider this for a machine that accepts Nespresso® Original-compatible capsules, after checking the model used at your stall.
Pack of 30 espresso capsules.
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NESCAFÉ FARMERS India Espresso, 10 capsules, 44 g
The pack of 10 capsules could be a good way to try this coffee in your stall’s machine, once you’ve confirmed which system it accepts.
The net quantity in the title differs from the amount in the description, so check the packaging before buying.
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illy ground espresso coffee, 250 g
Worth considering if the machine at your stall accepts ground coffee and your team can measure it out during service.
Ground coffee in a 250 g pack; plan how you’ll store it after opening.
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GIMOKA espresso whole beans with screw-top lid, 1 kg
Consider this if your stall has a grinder and a machine suited to freshly ground coffee.
Whole-bean coffee in a 1 kg pack; grinding and measuring are part of the preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a ‘pyramid bag’ replace an E.S.E. espresso pod?
Not based on that name alone. An E.S.E. pod must be used with an E.S.E.-compatible machine. For any product described as a ‘pyramid bag’, check how it should be prepared and whether compatibility is explicitly stated before buying it for your stall.
Can I use an illy Iperespresso capsule in a Nespresso® Original machine?
No. illy capsules are designed for machines with its Iperespresso system. Nespresso® Original-compatible capsules and E.S.E. pods are for different systems, so choose the format specified for your machine.
Do I need authorisation to sell coffee at a Christmas market?
For sales on public roads, the DGCCRF states that you need authorisation from the local council, which will specify details such as the locations, dates and times. Check with the council or organiser which requirements apply to your location and activity.
What should I check if I’m reselling prepacked coffee?
Check that the mandatory labelling is appropriate for the product, remains visible and legible, and is written in French at a minimum, as stated by the DGCCRF. Check the packaging of any packets or portions you plan to put on sale.
How should I manage hygiene at a stall where coffee is prepared?
Adapt your hygiene practices to the coffee you’ll actually prepare and serve at the stall. The DGCCRF reminds food business operators that they have hygiene obligations. Tell the organiser about your activity so you can prepare a suitable set-up.