Espresso lovers who enjoy a coffee after dinner
You want to keep this little ritual while limiting your caffeine intake. illy offers its decaffeinated coffee in several formats, so choose one that suits the way you make espresso.
Who is this choice for?
People keeping an eye on added ingredients
When shopping, you distinguish plain coffee from sweetened, flavoured or milky coffee drinks. Manger Bouger recommends choosing unsweetened drinks and includes coffee, in moderation, among the options.
Espresso machine owners
Your choice also depends on the equipment you have: capsules for the specified system, ground coffee or beans to grind. Checking the format helps you avoid choosing decaf that you can’t use with your machine.
What should you check?
When choosing an evening decaf espresso as part of your shop, check the coffee’s ingredients, then look for the ‘decaffeinated’ label on the exact product and make sure the format works with your machine.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and additions | Read the coffee’s ingredients. For a ready-made or flavoured drink, check the nutritional information too, especially the sugars; account separately for anything you add to your cup. | If I’m watching what I add to my coffee, I want to tell plain espresso apart from a sweetened coffee before I shop. This is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Caffeine in the evening | Check that the product you’ve chosen is labelled ‘decaffeinated’ and, if the amount of residual caffeine is important, look for the declared level for that specific product. | To enjoy my espresso after dinner while limiting caffeine, I look for a decaffeinated product first. Around 33% of consumers make reducing caffeine their top priority. |
| Format and machine | Compare the capsule system shown with your machine. For ground coffee or beans, check that you have the right equipment. | If I make coffee using the machine I already own, I need a format I can use every day. Compatibility is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘decaffeinated’ means ‘sugar-free’
‘Decaffeinated’ refers to the caffeine, not every ingredient in the drink. Plain coffee and a sweetened or milky coffee drink are not the same just because they share this label.
Check the ingredients list and nutritional information for ready-made drinks. Also take into account any sugar, syrup or milk you add yourself.
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Choosing capsules based only on the coffee brand
A capsule advertised as compatible with Nespresso® Original won’t necessarily work with another system. Capsules made for Dolce Gusto are a separate format too.
Check the exact system your machine uses and compare it with the compatibility details for the product you’ve chosen.
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Assuming ‘decaffeinated’ means ‘no caffeine’
Decaffeinated coffee can still contain caffeine. For its 250 g decaffeinated espresso ground coffee, illy states that the caffeine content does not exceed 0.1%; this figure does not apply to other products.
If you need to limit your caffeine intake strictly, check the information for the specific product and follow your individual medical advice.
Brands and retailers to consider
Lavazza
An option for people with a bean-to-cup machine or grinder who are looking for decaffeinated whole beans.
- Lavazza says its whole beans can be used in an automatic machine with a grinder or in a separate grinder.
- Check that the pack you choose is specifically labelled ‘decaffeinated’: information about whole beans alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is decaf.
illy
A decaffeinated range available in several formats, including ground coffee, whole beans, capsules and E.S.E. pods.
- For its 250 g decaffeinated espresso ground coffee, illy lists ‘100% decaffeinated Arabica coffee’ as the ingredient and states that the caffeine content does not exceed 0.1%.
- These details apply to this specific product. Check the format and label separately for any other illy product.
Carte Noire
An option to consider if your machine accepts capsules compatible with Nespresso® Original.
- Carte Noire describes its Espresso Decaffeinated No. 5 as a capsule compatible with Nespresso® Original, made from 100% Arabica coffee.
- The stated compatibility does not automatically extend to other capsule systems.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
A retailer to check if you’re looking for decaffeinated ground coffee while shopping.
- E.Leclerc offers decaffeinated PLANTATION ground coffees, including 250 g packs.
- Before choosing one of these packs for espresso, check how it is intended to be prepared and whether it’s suitable for your machine.
Auchan
A retailer offering decaffeinated coffee in several formats, including espresso capsules.
- The product listing for Auchan Espresso decaffeinated intensity 6 capsules specifies 100% Arabica roasted and ground decaffeinated coffee, with Nespresso compatibility.
- Compare the compatibility details for the product you’re buying with the exact system your machine uses.
Decaffeinated espresso capsules on Joybuy
These capsule options are designed for making decaffeinated espresso and come in formats advertised as compatible with Dolce Gusto and Nespresso. First, choose one that works with your machine, then check the ingredients if you’re looking for plain coffee for your evening drink.
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GIMOKA Decaffeinated Espresso, Dolce Gusto, 16 capsules, 112 g — ref. 100013170165191
For making decaffeinated espresso with a machine that uses the Dolce Gusto system. Check that your machine uses this system.
Box of 16 capsules, 112 g. If residual caffeine is important to you, check the information on the pack.
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CARTE NOIRE Nespresso Demi decaffeinated, 30 capsules
For capsule coffee using the stated Nespresso Original system. Check your machine model before buying.
Box of 30 capsules. If residual caffeine matters to you, check the packaging for this product.
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CARTE NOIRE Espresso Decaffeinated No. 5, 10 aluminium capsules
For anyone looking for decaffeinated espresso capsules who has the Nespresso® Original system specified for this product by Carte Noire.
Box of 10 aluminium capsules. Carte Noire states that its Espresso Decaffeinated No. 5 is made from 100% Arabica coffee; check that it’s compatible with your machine.
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GIMOKA Decaffeinated Espresso, Dolce Gusto, 16 capsules, 112 g — ref. 100013180208174
For a machine that uses the Dolce Gusto system stated for this product. Compare this with the system used by your machine.
Box of 16 capsules, 112 g. Check the label for the ingredients in this pack and, if necessary, its residual caffeine content.
Frequently asked questions
Is decaffeinated espresso automatically suitable for my diabetes-conscious food shop?
No. ‘Decaffeinated’ tells you about the caffeine, not every ingredient in the drink. Check the product’s ingredients and take into account any sugar, syrup or milk you add. For your personal dietary needs, follow the advice of your healthcare team.
Does decaffeinated espresso still contain caffeine?
Yes. Decaffeinated coffee is not necessarily caffeine-free. For its 250 g decaffeinated espresso ground coffee, illy states that the caffeine content does not exceed 0.1%; check the information for the specific product you’re considering.
Capsules, ground coffee or beans: where should I start?
Start with the type of machine you own. A capsule needs to match the system specified for that product, ground coffee needs a machine that accepts it, and beans require a grinder. Then check that the product you choose is decaffeinated.