Organisers without brewing equipment
If your coffee station has hot water but no filter or coffee machine, instant coffee in a jar can be dissolved to make drinks. However, make sure you know who will measure out the coffee during the break.
Who are the different formats for?
Those responsible for serving a crowd
If you need to serve several cups during a short break, check the capacity of the equipment you already have. Professional coffee portions may suit a dedicated machine, provided you check which models are compatible.
Teams making filter coffee or espresso
If you have a coffee maker or machine that accepts the grind you choose, you can select ground coffee to suit the brewing method and the flavour profile stated for that product. Remember to allow time for preparation as part of your service.
What should you check for your service?
Instant coffee in a jar
Choose this if: staff will serve coffee with hot water and no brewing machine.
Bear in mind: you will need to measure it out by hand unless your service uses sticks or a dispenser; this format cannot be used to make filter coffee.
Ground coffee in a bag
Choose this if: you have a filter coffee maker, moka pot or espresso machine that accepts the grind of the product.
Bear in mind: ground coffee needs to be brewed, not dissolved in water. You will need to plan how to prepare it and store the opened bag.
Pre-measured ground coffee
Choose this if: you have the machine specifically designed for the portions you select.
Limitation: according to DirectCafe.fr, the L’OR Conférence portions mentioned are only for Conférence and Push&Go machines.
| Consideration | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving coffee without a machine | Check that it says ‘instant coffee’, look at the recommended quantity and make sure the jar can be resealed. | I need to set up a coffee station with just hot water and serve coffee without brewing it. Around 42% of consumers would put this need for a machine-free service first. |
| Keeping service running smoothly | Compare the machine’s capacity with the length of the break, and confirm that it is compatible with the portions or product you choose. | When participants arrive at the same time, I want to be able to prepare cups at the planned pace using my equipment. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this need for a steady service. |
| Choosing the right grind | Check the recommended brewing method on the pack and make sure it suits the filter or machine you use. | If my service uses ground coffee, I want a grind that suits the method available and the flavour profile I’m looking for. Around 25% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid before ordering
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Confusing ground coffee with instant coffee in a jar
Instant coffee dissolves in hot water, while ground coffee needs to be brewed. So, a jar on its own does not tell you how the coffee should be prepared.
Specify the format you need and the equipment available when ordering, rather than simply asking for a ‘jar’.
A mix-up could mean having to find another format before service begins.
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Ordering coffee portions without checking the machine
DirectCafe.fr states that the L’OR Conférence sachets in question are only compatible with Conférence and Push&Go machines.
Check the exact machine model and confirm that it is compatible with the portions before ordering.
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Leaving packs open between services
Storage after opening matters if the coffee is kept in the cupboard between conferences.
Reseal jars of instant coffee and follow the storage instructions for ground coffee. If you need to transfer coffee from an opened bag, make sure you have a suitable container.
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Estimating the number of cups from the pack weight alone
The amount of coffee you need depends on the product and how it is prepared. For an 80 g L’OR Conférence portion used with the specified machines, DirectCafe.fr gives a yield of 15 to 18 cups. This figure does not apply to other coffees or equipment.
Start with the number of cups you expect to serve during each break, then use the product’s recommended quantity and the machine’s capacity to work out what you need.
Depending on your set-up, you may also need to plan for filters, serving containers and preparation time.
Brands and retailers to consider
Lavazza
Lavazza offers ground coffees to suit the recommended brewing method for each product.
- Brewing guidance helps you distinguish between filter, moka and espresso options.
- Check the pack format and how you will organise preparation before choosing a product for a conference.
Malongo
Malongo offers a professional range that includes ground coffee and pre-measured formats for catering and seminars.
- The brand offers pre-measured ground coffee for breakfast and buffet services.
- Make sure each format suits the equipment and set-up you plan to use for your coffee break.
L’OR et Maxwell House (JDE Professional)
JDE Professional offers, among other things, instant coffee in jars and products designed for professional equipment.
- The 100 g jar of L’OR Classique and 200 g jar of Maxwell House Décaféiné offer two different instant coffee formats to consider.
- Maxwell House Max 500 g is intended for specific equipment, so check the product and how it should be prepared.
Carrefour
Carrefour Traiteur offers Tradition ground coffee for use with a filter; the retailer also has a category for instant coffee.
- The distinction between coffee for filtering and instant coffee helps you identify the format you need.
- Check the pack format and brewing method for each product separately.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
E.Leclerc offers Plantation instant coffees, including 100 g and 200 g formats, as well as sticks and decaffeinated options.
- These formats let you compare a jar with individual portions, depending on how you plan to run the service.
- Confirm the pack format of your chosen product before working out how much you need for the conference.
Ground coffee available on Joybuy
These ground coffee products are for services with suitable brewing equipment. For each one, check the brewing method before calculating how much you will need for the conference break.
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MALONG Petit Producteur Fairtrade, ground coffee 250 g
Worth considering if you make ground coffee using compatible equipment. Check the brewing method and the quantities needed for each break.
250 g tin.
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Trung Nguyen Creative No3, ground coffee 250 g
Worth considering if you have a way to brew ground coffee. Check the instructions for your equipment before serving.
250 g pack.
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Lavazza Tales of Napoli, ground coffee, intensity 9, 200 g
Worth considering for a service with a filter coffee maker: the product information recommends preparing this coffee with a filter. Check your chosen quantity before working out how much you need.
200 g pack; stated intensity: 9.
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Lavazza Oro, ground coffee 500 g
Worth considering if your service uses an espresso machine that accepts this ground coffee. Check that it is compatible with the model you have.
500 g pack.
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Lavazza Barista Intenso, ground coffee, 2 × 250 g
Worth considering for a compatible espresso machine if two separate packs suit your service set-up. Check the quantity needed for the number of cups you expect to serve.
Pack size: 2 × 250 g.
Frequently asked questions
Is coffee sold in a jar always ground coffee?
No. A jar may contain instant coffee, which dissolves in hot water. To make ground coffee, check the product description and the stated brewing method rather than relying on the packaging alone.
Can pre-measured ground coffee sachets be used in any coffee machine?
No. Compatibility depends on the product and the machine. DirectCafe.fr says the L’OR Conférence sachets mentioned are for Conférence and Push&Go machines only, so check your machine model before ordering.
How much coffee should you allow for a conference break?
Start with the number of cups you expect to serve, the length of the breaks and the recommended quantity for the product you choose. DirectCafe.fr gives a yield of 15 to 18 cups for an 80 g L’OR Conférence portion in the specified machines. Don’t apply this yield to a different format or piece of equipment.