Evening coffee drinkers watching their caffeine intake
You’re having a late-night snack and want to limit your caffeine intake. Start by looking at decaffeinated options, then compare their flavour profiles.
Who are these options for?
Espresso lovers enjoying a treat
Whether you’re having chocolate, a pastry or a savoury snack, your choice will mainly depend on the flavour you’re after. The blend, roast and tasting notes provided by the brand are more useful than looking at an intensity rating on its own.
Bean-to-cup machine users
You have a built-in grinder or a separate coffee grinder and want to make coffee from beans. Check the product format and the grind required for your machine.
What should you look for first?
When choosing a coffee to go with a late-night snack, decide first how much caffeine you want, then consider the flavour profile. Finally, make sure the coffee format suits your equipment.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine in the evening | Look for the word ‘decaffeinated’ on the product you’re considering, and bear in mind other sources of caffeine you’ve had during the day. | When I have a late-night snack, I want to limit caffeine first and foremost, rather than choose a particular flavour intensity; around 36% of consumers prioritise reducing their caffeine intake. |
| Pairing with a sweet snack | Compare the blend, roast and tasting notes, such as floral or cocoa notes, depending on the product. | With a pastry, I’m mainly looking for a flavour profile that complements something sweet; nearly 29% of consumers put this pairing at the top of their list. |
| Bold flavour | Check whether the coffee is an Arabica-Robusta blend and read the tasting notes. Intensity doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in a cup. | If my snack is chocolatey or savoury, I’m mainly looking for a full-flavoured espresso; around 21% of consumers prefer this profile. |
| Making coffee from beans | Check that you have a grinder or mill, then choose a pack size that suits how often you use it. | To make coffee from beans, I need a format that works with my equipment; around 14% of consumers make compatibility their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing intensity with caffeine content
Intensity describes a flavour profile using a scale set by each brand; it doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in a prepared espresso. So a coffee described as bold won’t necessarily suit you if you want to limit your caffeine intake.
For a late-night snack, first choose between regular and decaffeinated coffee. Then compare the blend, roast and tasting notes.
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Buying beans without the right equipment
You can’t use whole beans directly in a machine designed only for capsules or pods.
Check what type of machine you have and whether it has a built-in grinder or you have a separate one. Otherwise, look for a format that’s explicitly compatible with your machine.
Without a grinder or mill, you won’t be able to use the beans straight from the pack.
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Choosing a large pack for occasional use
If you only make an espresso late at night now and then, an opened pack could be left open for a long time. Auchan’s product information recommends sealing the beans and storing them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Choose a pack size that suits how often you drink coffee, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Brands and ranges to compare
Lavazza
The range includes a choice of formats and flavour profiles, including Espresso Barista Perfetto and Espresso Barista Intenso.
- Lavazza describes Perfetto as a smooth 100% Arabica and Intenso as an Arabica-Robusta blend.
- These tasting descriptions come from the brand. Compare the formats and notes for each product rather than assuming the whole range has the same profile.
illy
The French range of whole-bean coffees lets you compare several 100% Arabica profiles, as well as a decaffeinated option.
- Classico, Intenso and Forte give you a range of profiles to compare.
- If caffeine is your main consideration, check the specific product: a flavour profile doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in a cup.
Carte Noire
The whole-bean range includes Espresso Pur Arabica and Espresso Ultime, an Arabica-Robusta blend.
- Carte Noire lists cocoa and toasted hazelnut notes for Pur Arabica, and a woody profile for Espresso Ultime.
- The brand’s intensity ratings aren’t directly comparable with those used by other manufacturers.
Carrefour
The retailer offers a selection of whole-bean coffees from brands sold in supermarkets.
- Carrefour’s product information for Café Picard lists a 1 kg pack containing 50% Arabica and 50% Robusta.
- Check the product and format available at your local store before you set off.
E.Leclerc
The ranges on offer include Plantation and Bio Village coffees, available as beans or ground, depending on the product.
- The 500 g and 1 kg pack sizes let you choose a quantity to suit how often you make coffee.
- Check whether your chosen product is whole bean or ground, and whether the format suits your machine.
Auchan
The retailer offers, among other options, a 500 g pack of 100% Arabica espresso beans.
- The product information lists the format and blend, as well as storage instructions for after opening.
- To use these beans, you’ll need a machine with a built-in grinder or a separate grinder suitable for your coffee maker.
Espressos and coffees to consider on Joybuy
These products let you compare coffees marketed for espresso with other whole-bean coffees, depending on what you’re looking for to enjoy with a late-night snack. If limiting caffeine is your priority, check that the product you’re considering is labelled ‘decaffeinated’. Also make sure the format is compatible with your machine.
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Lavazza Barista Intenso whole beans, 1 kg
Worth considering if you’re looking for an espresso described as intense to enjoy with a full-flavoured snack. These whole beans need a grinder or mill. If you only drink coffee occasionally, bear in mind that the pack contains 1 kg.
If you want to limit your caffeine intake in the evening, check that your chosen product is labelled ‘decaffeinated’.
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COLUMBUS Intense Espresso whole beans, 500 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for a coffee described as intense for espresso. This pack contains whole beans, so you’ll need a grinder or mill. Check that the grind is suitable for your machine.
If your choice depends on your caffeine intake in the evening, check whether the specific product is labelled ‘decaffeinated’.
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Lavazza Italiano, 500 g
Worth a look if you’d like to compare a coffee described as smooth with options described as fuller-bodied. Before buying, check the format and the recommended preparation method for your machine.
If you want to reduce your caffeine intake with a late-night snack, check that your chosen product is labelled ‘decaffeinated’.
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KIMBO Aroma Gold 100% Arabica whole beans, 500 g
Worth considering if you’d like to compare a 100% Arabica with a blend before choosing a coffee to go with your snack. The product title lists a medium-dark roast and an intensity of 9/13, based on the scale used for this product.
Check that it’s suitable for espresso in your machine, and make sure you have a grinder or mill. 100% Arabica doesn’t mean the coffee is decaffeinated.
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KIMBO Barista Espresso Napoli whole beans, 1 kg
Worth a look if you’re after an espresso described as intense to enjoy with a full-flavoured snack. It has a listed intensity of 10/13, but this doesn’t tell you the blend or the amount of caffeine in a cup.
Check the blend if you’re choosing between Arabica and Arabica-Robusta. The whole beans need a grinder or mill, and the 1 kg pack size is worth considering in light of how often you’ll use it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose decaf for a late-night snack?
Choose a product explicitly labelled decaffeinated if your priority is to limit caffeine at that time of day. A 100% Arabica chosen for its flavour profile isn’t a substitute for this; also bear in mind other sources of caffeine you’ve had during the day.
Can you compare the intensity ratings of two espresso brands?
Not as if they were on the same scale: Lavazza, for example, gives Espresso Barista Perfetto an intensity rating of 6/10, while Carte Noire uses a scale out of 13 for its Espresso beans. Also compare the blend, roast and tasting notes for the specific products.
Can I use whole beans without a machine with a built-in grinder?
Yes, if you have a separate grinder and your machine can then use the ground coffee. A machine designed only for capsules or pods can’t use whole beans directly.
How should I store coffee beans after opening?
Reseal the pack and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. For its whole-bean espresso, Auchan recommends storing the coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If you only make coffee occasionally, bear this in mind before choosing a large pack.