For a balanced-flavour break
You want your espresso to complement your snack without masking its flavour. In that case, the aroma notes and bitterness matter more than an intensity rating taken on its own.
Who is this choice for?
For a more pronounced cup
You enjoy roastier profiles, with notes of cocoa, hazelnut or spice, even alongside a strongly flavoured snack.
For choosing the right coffee for your machine
Your first consideration is the format: beans if you can grind them, ground coffee suited to your brewing method, or capsules that work with your machine’s exact system.
What should you look for?
Balanced profile
Worth considering: if you want to taste both the espresso and a delicately flavoured snack.
The trade-off: the cup may taste less roasty than one described as full-bodied.
Full-bodied profile
Worth considering: if you’re after roast or cocoa notes that still come through alongside your snack.
The trade-off: pronounced bitterness can overpower a delicate snack.
Delicate profile
Worth considering: if you want the snack’s subtle flavours to take centre stage.
The trade-off: it may taste too subtle if you usually prefer dark roasts.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Balance with your snack | Read the stated aroma notes and roast level. In particular, look for the sweetness and bitterness you’re after. | With a pastry or a piece of fruit, I want to taste the coffee without it overpowering my snack. Around 38% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Espresso character | Check the roast notes and the intensity rating on the brand’s own scale. Don’t compare ratings from different brands directly. | If my snack has a strong flavour, I prefer a cup with aromas that still come through. Around 31% of consumers put this pronounced character first. |
| Format and preparation | Check whether your machine takes beans, ground coffee or the exact capsule system listed on the pack. | I want to make my coffee break with the machine I have, without ending up with an incompatible format. Compatibility and ease of preparation are priorities for around 31% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a high intensity for the caffeine
Intensity tells you about the espresso’s flavour, not directly about its caffeine content. Carte Noire, for example, describes it in terms of the cup’s aromatic richness.
Choose an intensity to suit the taste you’re after. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, consider separately how much you drink and when. ANSES notes that caffeine can disrupt sleep.
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Comparing intensity ratings across brands
A rating only makes sense in the context of the scale it uses. illy, for example, lists espresso at 5/9 and 7/9, while Carte Noire uses a scale that goes up to 13.
To choose between two coffees, also check their stated aroma notes and roast level.
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Buying capsules without checking your machine
The stated compatibility for the relevant Lavazza capsules applies to Nespresso® Original machines, not all capsule systems.
Check your machine’s model, then look at the system specified on the pack or coffee listing before choosing.
Brands to consider
Lavazza
Blends available in several formats: start by choosing one that works with your machine.
- Lavazza describes different aroma profiles for its products, depending on the blend and roast.
- The stated Nespresso® Original compatibility for some Lavazza capsules does not extend to other systems.
illy
A range of ground espresso coffee that includes the 100% Arabica Classico and Intenso products.
- illy rates Classico at 5/9 and Intenso at 7/9, with distinct aroma profiles.
- These ratings apply to these products and don’t guarantee the taste you’ll get from every machine.
Carte Noire
Espresso options in beans and capsules, with intensity and flavour guides.
- Carte Noire lists cocoa and hazelnut notes for its Pur Arabica whole-bean espresso, rated 9/13.
- Its intensity scale is not directly comparable with those used by illy or Lavazza.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s ranges include a variety of whole-bean coffees to explore, depending on your brewing method and preferred profile.
- Carrefour offers products including Espresso, Decaffeinated and 100% Arabica.
- The retailer’s name alone isn’t enough to tell you the aroma profile of a specific product.
Plantation (Marque Repère / E.Leclerc)
Plantation is a range name used by E.Leclerc, with everyday coffee formats to compare.
- E.Leclerc’s selection includes beans, ground coffee and capsules, with a variety of profiles.
- Check the exact format and product rather than relying on the range name alone.
Auchan
Whole-bean and ground coffees to compare based on your equipment and the details listed for each product.
- Auchan offers, among other products, a 500 g 100% Arabica whole-bean espresso, rated 8/10.
- These details apply to this product, not to all Auchan coffees.
Coffees to consider on Joybuy
These products include whole-bean espressos with different stated profiles, as well as capsule coffees. The Starbucks coffee is flavoured, so consider it as a different way to accompany your snack rather than a classic unflavoured espresso. For each product, check that the format works with your machine.
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KIMBO Espresso Crema Intensa, 1 kg coffee beans
Worth considering if you’re after a full-flavoured espresso to enjoy with your snack and have a grinder or a machine with a built-in grinder.
Stated intensity: 11/13 on the product’s scale. 1 kg pack.
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L'OR Coffee Nespresso Supremo, 10 capsules
A capsule option for anyone looking for a pronounced espresso. Stated compatibility is with Nespresso Original machines, so check your model before choosing.
Box of 10 capsules.
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SEGAFREDO ZANETTI Supremo, 1 kg coffee beans
Worth considering if you prefer a less roasty aroma profile and can grind the beans before making your espresso.
1 kg pack. Stated intensity: 9/12. This rating is not directly comparable with the scales used by other brands.
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COLUMBUS Intense Espresso, 500 g coffee beans
Worth considering if you’re looking for whole-bean espresso described as full-bodied and have equipment to grind it. If you’re after specific aroma notes, check the description before choosing.
500 g pack.
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Starbucks Nespresso Hazelnut, 10 capsules, 51 g
A flavoured coffee to consider if you prefer this kind of taste to an unflavoured espresso. Check compatibility with your exact machine model.
Box of 10 capsules, net weight 51 g.
Frequently asked questions
Does a more intense espresso contain more caffeine?
Not necessarily. The intensity rating describes the stated flavour profile, first and foremost, and doesn’t tell you how much caffeine the coffee contains. Choose a profile to suit your taste, then consider your caffeine intake and sensitivity separately.
Which espresso format should I choose if I don’t have a grinder?
Choose ground coffee suited to your brewing method, or capsules if your machine takes that exact system. Whole beans need a grinder or a machine with a built-in grinder.
Will all espresso capsules work in the same machine?
No. Check the system specified for your machine and the capsules. For example, Lavazza states that some of its capsules are compatible with Nespresso® Original; this doesn’t confirm compatibility with other systems.
How should I store coffee once it’s opened?
Seal the pack carefully and keep it away from heat, light and moisture. Lavazza recommends an airtight container for ground coffee; Auchan advises resealing its bag of beans well and keeping it in a cool, dry place.