Choose a decaffeinated espresso to suit your machine: capsules labelled as compatible with your exact system, beans if you have a grinder, or ground coffee suited to your appliance. For an evening coffee, check that it says ‘decaffeinated’ and don’t confuse flavour intensity with caffeine content. When shopping in the sale, also check the pack size and quantity before stocking up.
If you’d like to keep up this ritual while reducing your caffeine intake, bear in mind that decaffeinated coffee isn’t necessarily caffeine-free. The Anses says caffeine can delay falling asleep and reduce both the duration and quality of sleep.
To make a cup with capsules, look for an explicit statement that they’re compatible with Nespresso Original. Lavazza, for example, distinguishes its capsules compatible with this system from its A Modo Mio capsules.
Before buying several packs, check the number of capsules or the weight, and make sure each product is suitable for your machine. The same description, ‘decaffeinated espresso’, can refer to formats that aren’t interchangeable.
For an evening decaf espresso, start by checking the coffee description and your machine’s system. Then compare the formats, pack sizes and flavour notes.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine in the evening | The ‘decaffeinated’ label and, if shown on the product, its caffeine content. Flavour intensity is not a substitute. | I enjoy an espresso after dinner, but want to limit my caffeine intake late in the day. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Compatibility | The exact system listed on your machine and the pack: for example, Nespresso Original, Dolce Gusto, A Modo Mio, Iperespresso or E.S.E. | A box is no use if its capsules don’t work in my machine. For around 30% of consumers, compatibility with their appliance comes before other criteria. |
| Pack size in the sale | The number of capsules or the weight of the pack, comparing like-for-like preparation formats. | If I buy several packs, I want to know how many cups I can make without changing systems. Around 20% of consumers prioritise comparing pack sizes. |
| Flavour profile and preparation | The flavour notes, the recommended method for ground coffee, and storage instructions after opening. | I prefer to choose the flavour profile of my espresso and a preparation method that fits my routine. Around 10% of consumers prioritise this. |
The word ‘espresso’ doesn’t make Nespresso Original, Dolce Gusto, A Modo Mio, Iperespresso and E.S.E. compatible with one another.
Check your machine’s system, then look for the exact name on the pack.
Capsules for a different system may be unusable in your machine.
An intensity rating describes a coffee’s flavour profile; it doesn’t tell you how much caffeine remains in a decaffeinated coffee.
For your evening espresso, first check for the ‘decaffeinated’ label and any stated caffeine content. Then choose the flavour profile you prefer.
A box of capsules and a pack of beans use different preparation methods and don’t necessarily contain the same amount of coffee.
Before stocking up, check the number of capsules or the weight, as well as the compatibility of each product.
Carte Noire describes its decaffeinated ground coffee as suitable for filter coffee makers, while illy presents a decaffeinated ground coffee intended for espresso. So the word ‘ground’ alone isn’t enough to help you choose a coffee for your appliance.
Check the recommended preparation method on the product and make sure your machine can use ground coffee.
The Decaf range includes beans for espresso or moka, as well as capsules compatible with Nespresso Original.
illy offers decaffeinated beans and ground coffee specifically described as suitable for espresso.
Carte Noire offers Espresso Decaffeinated capsules compatible with Nespresso Original, as well as decaffeinated ground coffee.
Carrefour lists decaffeinated Carrefour Selection capsules compatible with Nespresso.
E.Leclerc lists a Plantation decaffeinated coffee in aluminium capsules.
Auchan offers decaffeinated espresso capsules compatible with Nespresso.
These products are decaffeinated espresso capsules for different systems. First, choose the one that works with your machine: Dolce Gusto, A Modo Mio and capsules labelled as compatible with Nespresso aren’t interchangeable.
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Worth considering if you have a Dolce Gusto machine and want to make your decaffeinated espresso one capsule at a time.
The product name states 16 capsules for 112 g. If residual caffeine is important to you, check the labelling for this product.
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This other GIMOKA product is also for Dolce Gusto machine users looking for decaffeinated espresso capsules.
The product name states 16 capsules for 112 g. Check the pack reference to distinguish it from the other GIMOKA pack featured here, and check the labelling if residual caffeine is a factor in your choice.
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Choose this for a machine that uses the Lavazza A Modo Mio system, rather than relying on the ‘decaffeinated capsules’ description alone.
The product name states that the box contains 36 capsules. Check the labelling if you’d like to know the caffeine content of this product.
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These capsules may suit you if the compatibility information matches your Nespresso machine’s exact system.
The product name states 30 capsules. Before stocking up, check the compatible system and caffeine information on the pack.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for decaffeinated espresso capsules, once you’ve confirmed which system your machine accepts.
The product name states 10 aluminium capsules. Check the exact compatibility of the product on offer; the coffee’s number doesn’t tell you its caffeine content.
No. ‘Decaffeinated’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘caffeine-free’. For its decaffeinated-flavour whole beans, illy states a caffeine content of no more than 0.1%. Check the information for the specific product you’re considering.
Caffeine can disrupt sleep: the Anses says it can delay falling asleep and reduce both the duration and quality of sleep. Sensitivity varies from person to person, and the flavour intensity shown on a pack doesn’t measure its caffeine content.
No. Compatibility with Nespresso Original doesn’t mean a capsule will work with A Modo Mio, Iperespresso or Dolce Gusto. Match the exact system name on your machine to the one on the product.
Yes, as long as you have a machine with a built-in grinder or a separate grinder, and an appliance that can use the ground coffee. If your machine only takes capsules, choose a decaffeinated option labelled as compatible with its system.
Choose a product described as suitable for espresso and check that your appliance accepts ground coffee. illy describes one of its decaffeinated ground coffees as suitable for espresso, while Carte Noire describes its decaffeinated ground coffee as suitable for filter coffee makers. Then follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose.