People who make several cups while working from home
If you regularly use a coffee maker that takes ground coffee, the amount you buy and the space you need to store it matter more than a number of “sachets” whose format isn’t clear.
Who is this choice for?
People choosing coffee to suit their coffee maker
Whether you use a filter coffee maker, moka pot, cafetière or another machine that takes ground coffee, check the preparation method listed for the product before choosing its roast profile.
People keeping an eye on their caffeine intake
If your lunchtime coffee is in addition to other caffeinated drinks, or you’re sensitive to caffeine, consider the time of day and your overall intake. Anses says the effects on sleep vary from person to person.
What should you look for?
First, decide whether your machine uses ground coffee that you measure out yourself or soft pods. Then choose the quantity, followed by the profile listed for the product.
Ground coffee in a pack
Consider this: if your coffee maker takes ground coffee and you want to measure out each serving yourself.
Bear in mind: the coffee isn’t portioned, so an opened pack needs to be stored carefully.
Soft pods
Consider this: if your machine takes this format and you want individual portions.
Check: the number of portions in the box and whether they’re compatible with your specific machine. Carte Noire presents its soft pods as a different format from its packs of ground coffee.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Format and coffee maker | Check whether your machine takes ground coffee, soft pods or capsules, then look at the preparation method listed for the product. | If my machine needs a specific format, I want to avoid buying portions or a pack I can’t use; around 36% of consumers put compatibility first. |
| Quantity and storage | Check the total weight, the number of packs in a multipack and whether you can store an opened pack in an airtight container. | For my regular coffees, I want a quantity I can store without opening the whole multipack at once. Around 29% of consumers prioritise managing their stock. |
| Flavour and brewing | Compare the recommended preparation method and the roast or intensity information, which describes the profile of each brand’s coffee. | Above all, I’m looking for a flavour I enjoy with my preparation method; around 21% of consumers prioritise the taste in the cup. |
| Caffeine at lunchtime | Consider the time of day and any other caffeinated drinks you have. If you’re looking for decaffeinated coffee, check that this is stated on the product. | If caffeine affects my sleep, I want to take that into account even when I have coffee at lunchtime. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “80 sachets” means a large pack of ground coffee
A weight in grams and a number of portions describe two different types of packaging. Soft pods, including those sold by Carte Noire, only work with a compatible machine.
Before buying, distinguish between ground coffee in a pack, soft pods and capsules. Also check the stated total weight or number of units.
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Buying a large multipack without planning where to store it
A multipack of several packs isn’t a box of individual portions. Malongo, for example, sells a pack of 12 tins of 250 g, adding up to 3 kg of ground coffee to store.
Check how many packs there are and how much space you have, then open them gradually as you need them.
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Opening several packs in advance
According to storage advice from Carte Noire and Lavazza, light, moisture and heat can affect the aromas of ground coffee.
Keep unopened packs sealed and put the coffee from an opened pack in an airtight container, away from these conditions.
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Confusing intensity with caffeine content
The intensity rating is a guide to a brand’s profile, not a measure of caffeine. Anses says the effects of caffeine on sleep vary from person to person.
If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, look for a product clearly labelled as decaffeinated rather than relying on the intensity rating alone.
Ground coffee brands to know
Carte Noire
The brand offers ground coffee for moka pots, filter coffee makers and cafetières, including 250 g and 500 g packs.
- Preparation method and profile information can help you find a product suited to the way you want to make your coffee.
- Its soft pods are a different format, so check that they’re compatible rather than treating them like a pack of ground coffee.
Lavazza
Its ground coffee range includes products for different home brewing methods, in a range of pack sizes.
- Lavazza lists the recommended preparation method for each product.
- Choose based on the specific product: guidance for one method or profile doesn’t apply to the whole range.
Malongo
The range includes different ground coffees, including decaffeinated options, as well as multipacks of tins.
- One multipack from Malongo contains 12 tins of 250 g, or 3 kg in total, for anyone wanting to stock up on several tins.
- These 12 tins aren’t 80 individual portions, so check the quantity and packaging of the product you choose.
Carrefour
Carrefour’s ground coffee ranges include 250 g, 500 g and 1 kg packs.
- These different pack sizes let you choose a quantity to suit the space you have and how often you make coffee.
- Check the exact format of each product: a pack sold by weight doesn’t state a number of individual portions.
Ground coffee available on Joybuy
These products are packs or multipacks of ground coffee for making cups regularly; they aren’t presented as boxes of 80 portions. Check the preparation method for the coffee maker you have on the product you’re interested in.
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GIMOKA GRAN RELAX, decaffeinated ground coffee, 250 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for ground coffee clearly labelled as decaffeinated for your lunch break.
250 g pack, not a box of 80 portions. Check the preparation method to make sure it suits your coffee maker.
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GRAND MERE, case of ground coffee, 12 units, 3 kg
Worth considering if you make coffee often and have room to store a multipack.
The case contains 12 units, with a total weight of 3 kg, not 80 individual portions. Check that the preparation method suits your coffee maker before buying.
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GIMOKA Intenso BIPACK, ground coffee, 500 g
Worth considering if you want to buy 500 g of ground coffee while keeping part of the multipack sealed until you need it.
Two 250 g packs, not individual portions. Check the recommended preparation method for your coffee maker.
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GIMOKA Aroma Classico, ground coffee, 250 g
Worth considering if you’d rather buy a pack of ground coffee than a large multipack for your regular brews.
250 g pack, with no individual portions stated. Check that the preparation method suits your equipment.
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GIMOKA Gusto Ricco, ground coffee, 250 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for a pack of ground coffee to measure out yourself for your lunch break.
250 g pack, not a box of 80 portions. Check the recommended preparation method before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Does a box of 80 sachets mean a pack of ground coffee?
Not necessarily: “sachets” could mean individual portions, while a pack of ground coffee is usually labelled with its weight in grams. Check the product description, the number of units and the type of coffee maker required. Carte Noire, for example, lists its soft pods separately from its packs of ground coffee.
Which ground coffee should I choose for a filter coffee maker or moka pot?
Choose a product that lists your preparation method. Carte Noire offers ground coffee for filter coffee makers and moka pots, while Lavazza recommends checking the method for each product. The brand name alone isn’t enough to confirm compatibility.
How should I store a large pack of ground coffee once it’s open?
Following the manufacturers’ storage advice, put the coffee from an opened pack in an airtight container, away from light, moisture and heat. If you’ve bought a multipack, keep the other packs sealed until you need them.
Does caffeine matter if I have coffee at lunchtime?
Yes, particularly if you’re sensitive to caffeine or also drink other caffeinated drinks. Anses says caffeine can delay falling asleep and reduce the length or quality of your sleep, with effects varying from person to person. The intensity rating on a coffee doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains.