Fans of bold coffee with their snacks
You’re looking for a full-flavoured cup to enjoy with a savoury or chocolatey snack, while bearing in mind that a more intense profile can also taste noticeably more bitter.
Who is this choice for?
Teams making coffee at the office
You want ready-ground coffee, with no grinder to adjust. The right option will depend on the coffee maker you use: filter, moka pot, French press or an espresso machine that takes ground coffee.
People responsible for buying and storing coffee
You’re choosing packs for several coffee breaks and need a size that suits how quickly the team gets through them, along with a way to preserve the flavour after opening.
What should you look for?
Start with the brewing method available at the office: even coffee with a flavour profile you like needs to suit the coffee maker. Then narrow down your choice based on the taste you’re after, pack size and individual caffeine needs.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Bold flavour | Look for flavour descriptions and the stated intensity; compare ratings across brands with care. | With a strongly flavoured snack, I want the coffee to hold its own, without choosing a bitterness I won’t enjoy. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this flavour profile. |
| Preparation | Check that the pack suits your brewing method: filter, moka pot, French press or espresso. | When several colleagues use the same coffee maker, I’d rather choose ground coffee suited to that equipment than pick one based only on its intensity. Preparation is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose a weight that matches the team’s consumption and have an airtight container ready for after opening. | If a pack will stay open between breaks, I want a size the team can finish reasonably quickly to preserve its flavour. This comes first for around 23% of consumers. |
| Caffeine | Don’t infer caffeine content from the intensity rating; take account of any other caffeinated drinks you consume. | If I’m sensitive to caffeine, a bold flavour won’t tell me how I’ll react to several cups throughout the day. For around 15% of consumers, this personal consideration is the main factor in their choice. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing intensity with caffeine
Carte Noire describes intensity as an indicator of flavour, not a measure of the stimulating effect. ANSES notes that the effects of caffeine vary from person to person.
Choose intensity for the flavour, not to predict how you’ll respond to caffeine.
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Choosing bold coffee before checking the coffee maker
A flavour profile that sounds right for a break doesn’t mean you can skip checking the brewing method specified for that product.
Identify the coffee maker used at the office, then check the pack details before buying for the whole team.
A pack that isn’t suitable for your usual brewing method could end up going unused.
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Leaving ground coffee open next to the machine
After opening, exposure to light, moisture or heat can affect the coffee’s flavour.
Seal the pack carefully or use an airtight container. Store it somewhere dry, away from heat sources.
Ground coffee brands to know
Lavazza
Lavazza France offers ground coffees for espresso, moka pot and filter brewing, among other methods.
- Carrefour’s product listing for Espresso Barista Intenso gives it an intensity rating of 9 and describes it as an Arabica/Robusta blend.
- The intensity rating alone doesn’t let you compare this product with those from other brands.
Carte Noire
Carte Noire offers a range of ground coffees for moka pot, filter and French press brewing.
- The brand describes a range of flavour profiles, from mild to more intense.
- According to Carte Noire, intensity tells you about flavour and body, not the stimulating effect. Check the details for the specific pack you choose, too.
Malongo
Malongo offers ground coffees from a range of origins and blends, including options described as bold.
- Its selection includes Ristretto Italien, a blend of Arabica and Robusta.
- Check the origin, any certifications and the brewing method for each product rather than assuming they apply across the range.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour France offers Corsé 100% Arabica ground coffee under its Carrefour Extra brand.
- The product is described as both bold and smooth.
- This flavour description doesn’t confirm that the grind suits every coffee maker; check the brewing method stated for the product.
Plantation (Marque Repère E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc offers Plantation intense pure Arabica ground coffee in a 250 g pack.
- The 250 g pack size is worth considering in light of how often the team takes a break.
- E.Leclerc recommends checking availability with your local store.
Ground coffee to consider on Joybuy
These ground coffees have profiles described as intense or come in pack sizes suited to several breaks. To find the right one for your office, check the brewing instructions on each pack against your coffee maker. Intensity ratings from different brands aren’t on a shared scale.
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Lavazza Tales of Napoli, ground coffee, intensity 9, 200 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for coffee described as intense for office breaks.
200 g pack; check that the brewing instructions are suitable for your coffee maker.
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GIMOKA Intenso BIPACK, ground coffee, 500 g
The BIPACK format may suit a team that spreads its coffee consumption across several breaks.
Total stated weight: 500 g. Check the recommended brewing method before choosing it for the office coffee maker.
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Lavazza Barista Intenso, ground coffee, 2 × 250 g
Worth a look if your office uses an espresso machine that takes ground coffee and you’re after a profile described as intense.
Two 250 g packs; check the brewing instructions for your machine.
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Lavazza Tales of Roma, ground coffee, intensity 8, 200 g
Worth considering if you’d like to try a 200 g pack before choosing coffee for the team’s breaks.
Stated intensity: 8. Check the pack for the brewing method suited to the coffee maker available.
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Lavazza Napoli, ground coffee, 2 × 250 g
The two-pack format may be worth considering if your office takes regular coffee breaks.
Two 250 g packs; check the stated brewing method before using them with the team’s coffee maker.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘intense’ ground coffee always contain more caffeine?
No. Carte Noire uses intensity to describe the flavour profile; it doesn’t measure caffeine. Don’t rely on it alone to predict how a cup will affect you.
Which ground coffee is right for an office coffee maker?
Choose a product with instructions that match the brewing method used at the office, whether that’s a filter coffee maker, moka pot, French press or espresso machine that takes ground coffee. The fact that a product is pre-ground doesn’t mean it’s suitable for every appliance.
How should you store ground coffee after opening?
Keep it in an airtight container, away from light, moisture and heat. Choose a pack size that suits how often you take a break, too, so the pack isn’t left open for too long.
What should you look for on a pack of ground coffee?
Check the product name, net quantity, the date shown and any storage or usage instructions. When choosing coffee for the office, also check the recommended brewing method.
Can you keep ground coffee after its best-before date?
Passing its best-before date doesn’t automatically mean the product needs to be thrown away: the DGCCRF notes that a product with intact packaging may, however, have lost some of its flavour. Read the exact wording on the pack and follow its storage instructions.