Travellers who want proof of Fairtrade certification
You want to see the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label on the coffee you choose, rather than relying on a general sustainability claim or a charitable initiative.
Who are these options for?
Travellers without a coffee machine
You’re looking for coffee that needs very little equipment. Instant coffee could work if you have access to hot water; otherwise, make your drink before you set off.
Espresso lovers with the right equipment
You can consider capsules, ground coffee or beans if the right equipment is available before you set off or at your destination. The word ‘espresso’ on a pack doesn’t guarantee that it will work with your machine.
What should you check before buying?
When choosing coffee to take along for a meal on the train, start by thinking about where you’ll prepare it. Then check the certification on the exact product: Fairtrade/Max Havelaar France explains that its label indicates compliance with its standards, while the coffee format determines what equipment you’ll need.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee certification | Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label and check that it applies to the product you’re buying. Don’t mistake it for an organic claim alone. | I want to confirm the coffee’s certification before choosing its flavour or format. Around 31% of consumers would put this proof at the top of their list. |
| Preparing coffee during the journey | Work out whether you’ll prepare your drink before setting off or have access to hot water. With hot water, instant coffee means you won’t need a coffee machine. | Without a machine, I want to enjoy my coffee without taking any preparation equipment with me. Around 31% of consumers would make this independence their priority. |
| Equipment compatibility | Check which system the capsules are designed for, and what equipment you’ll need for ground coffee or beans. Auchan says its Bio Pérou capsules are compatible with Dolce Gusto machines. | If there’s a machine waiting for me at my destination, I don’t want to buy coffee I can’t use with it. Around 23% of consumers would put compatibility first. |
| How much to take | Compare the net quantity with the number of coffees you plan to make, and read the storage instructions on the pack you choose. | For a short journey, I’d rather take an amount that suits my plans than a pack I’m unlikely to finish. Around 15% of consumers would put this first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing a charitable initiative with Fairtrade certification
Carte Noire says that Espresso Solidaire helps fund meals for students. This initiative does not prove that the coffee carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.
If certification matters to you, look for it on the packaging of the specific product, regardless of the range name.
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Buying capsules without knowing which machine you have
Auchan describes its Bio Pérou capsules as compatible with Dolce Gusto machines. The word ‘espresso’ in their name doesn’t mean they’ll work with another system.
Check which machine is available before you buy. If you can’t confirm there’s a machine, plan to make your drink before setting off or take instant coffee if you’ll have hot water.
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Assuming you’ll be able to make coffee on board without checking
Ground coffee, beans and capsules all need equipment; on their own, they’re not ready-to-drink options for your journey.
Decide where you’ll prepare your coffee. For information about your specific train, SNCF Voyageurs suggests checking your journey using your train number.
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Choosing a pack without checking its size
A pack intended for several brews can be bulky if you’re only taking it for one meal on the train.
Check the net quantity and storage instructions, then choose based on how many coffees you actually plan to make.
Brands to consider, depending on the product
A range that includes espresso or organic coffee doesn’t mean that every product in it is certified. Always check the pack you’re buying.
Carrefour Bio
Carrefour France lists instant and whole-bean coffee products carrying the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.
- The Carrefour Bio instant coffee listing explicitly states that it is Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified. This format can be prepared if hot water is available.
- Whole beans need the right equipment. For every purchase, check the format and certification of the product you choose.
Auchan Bio
Auchan describes its Pérou espresso capsules as fairly traded in accordance with Fairtrade standards.
- The product listing specifies that they are compatible with Dolce Gusto machines.
- These capsules need a machine from this system; they won’t let you prepare coffee independently on the train.
Bio Village (E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc lists a 250 g Bio Village Éthiopie ground coffee, described as organic and fair trade.
- Ground coffee could work if you have a suitable way to prepare it.
- It isn’t a ready-to-drink option to take with you; check the claims on the specific pack too.
Lavazza
Lavazza offers espresso coffee in a range of formats, including beans and A Modo Mio capsules.
- You can choose a format to suit the machine you have.
- If Fairtrade is important to you, check that the specific product is certified before you buy it.
illy
illy offers, among other products, a 250 g pack of Espresso Classico ground coffee.
- This product lets you choose ground coffee for making espresso with the right equipment.
- The name and format alone don’t tell you whether it’s Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certified.
Carte Noire
Carte Noire offers coffee in several formats, including Espresso Solidaire capsules.
- The brand says that buying a pack of Espresso Solidaire helps fund meals for students.
- This initiative is separate from Fairtrade certification. If it’s important to you, check the label on the specific product before buying.
Ground coffee available on Joybuy
These two ground coffees are worth considering if you can make your drink before setting off or have the right equipment at your destination. If you’re looking specifically for Fairtrade/Max Havelaar certification, check the packaging of each product. The words ‘fair trade’ alone don’t identify a specific label.
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MALONGO La Tierra organic ground coffee, 250 g
Worth considering if an espresso machine is available before you set off or at your destination. The product listing describes this ground coffee as suitable for this method and mentions Fairtrade certification. If this is essential to you, check the label on the exact pack.
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MALONG Petit Producteur Fairtrade ground coffee, 250 g tin
Worth considering if you can make the coffee with a moka pot, percolator or filter coffee maker before you set off or at your destination. The product listing mentions fair trade, but check the pack for the exact label. If you plan to use an espresso machine, check separately that the grind is suitable.
Frequently asked questions
Is organic coffee always Fairtrade certified?
No. Organic claims and the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label provide different information. If fair trade certification is your priority, look for the label or an explicit statement that applies to the specific coffee you’re buying.
Can I rely on there being a coffee machine on my train?
Don’t choose a format that needs a machine unless you’ve checked where you’ll prepare the coffee. SNCF Voyageurs lets you check the conditions for your journey using your train number; you could also make your drink before setting off.
What should I check on a coffee pack before travelling?
Read the coffee’s name, net quantity, date and storage instructions, then check any certification that matters to you. The DGCCRF lists the product name, ingredients, net quantity and date information among the details required on prepacked food labels.
Are Auchan Bio Pérou capsules compatible with all machines?
No. Auchan says they’re compatible with Dolce Gusto machines. Check which system your machine uses before buying; the word ‘espresso’ alone doesn’t mean they’ll work with another system.