Hotels without a dedicated espresso machine
For a buffet, breakfast room or shared space with access to hot water, instant coffee can be served with manual dosing. Be sure to describe it as instant coffee, rather than espresso made by extraction.
Which hotels are these formats suitable for?
Hotels looking to offer decaffeinated coffee
A product explicitly labelled “decaffeinated” can complement your usual coffee. The format you choose should also suit how often this option is served.
Hotels where guests expect espresso made by extraction
If “espresso” means a drink prepared by extraction, consider capsules, pods or beans, along with the machine they require, rather than choosing a jar of instant coffee based on the coffee’s name alone.
What should you check before choosing?
Jar of instant coffee
Worth considering: for making black coffee with hot water, without a dedicated machine, in a shared service area.
Bear in mind: the coffee is dosed manually and is not espresso made by extraction.
Individual sticks
Worth considering: when serving individual portions, particularly in guest rooms or as a separate alternative.
Bear in mind: each portion has its own packaging, which needs to be factored into service arrangements.
Espresso made by extraction
Worth considering: if the hotel wants to serve espresso made by extraction rather than instant coffee.
You’ll need: a machine compatible with your chosen format, as well as a plan for cleaning it and managing supplies.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumer priorities |
|---|---|---|
| Serving without a machine | Preparation method and access to hot water in the service area. | To serve black coffee quickly at the buffet without installing a dedicated machine, I’d prioritise a simple preparation method. Around 40% of consumers put this need first. |
| Espresso made by extraction | The type of drink guests expect, the machine required and the compatibility of the coffee products. | If guests ask for espresso made by extraction, I wouldn’t want to offer them instant coffee under the same name. Around 30% of consumers put this expectation first. |
| Pack size and restocking | Pack weight, the stated number of cups based on the dosage, and storage after opening. | With regular service, I need to choose a pack size that suits the pace of breakfast without having to restock too often. Around 20% of consumers prioritise pack size. |
| Decaffeinated coffee and ingredients | The “decaffeinated” label and the ingredients list for each recipe served. | To offer another option at the counter, I need to distinguish decaffeinated coffee from an instant mix containing other ingredients. Around 10% of consumers prioritise this need. |
Buying pitfalls to avoid
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Calling instant coffee “espresso”
Instant coffee dissolves in hot water; it doesn’t replicate the preparation of espresso made by extraction. The name used when serving it should reflect the drink you’re actually offering.
First decide whether guests want a quick black coffee or espresso made by extraction, then choose the format and equipment to match.
Switching to an extraction system also means planning for supplies, cleaning and machine maintenance.
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Estimating the number of cups from the jar’s weight alone
Two jars of the same weight won’t necessarily state the same number of cups: this figure depends on the recommended dosage for each product.
Check the preparation instructions for the product you choose and compare them with your planned serving volume.
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Assuming every instant mix is black coffee
The ingredients in a cappuccino- or latte-style mix can’t be inferred from those in instant coffee whose only listed ingredient is coffee.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for each product before preparing information for guests.
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Planning service around just one product
Ordering options may vary by retailer and delivery channel, particularly for decaffeinated varieties.
Before finalising your breakfast selection, check the availability of the products you’ve chosen and plan a suitable alternative.
Brands and retailers to know
illy
An option to explore for smaller jars of instant coffee, with several distinct profiles.
- illy’s French catalogue includes Classico, Intenso and Decaffeinated instant coffee, including in 95 g packs.
- A 95 g pack needs replacing more often than a 200 g jar if service levels are similar.
Lavazza
A brand to explore if the hotel is planning to serve espresso with equipment, rather than simply offering instant coffee in jars.
- Lavazza’s French ranges include beans, capsules and machines.
- Choosing a format for espresso made by extraction means checking that you have the right equipment.
Carte Noire
Another option to explore when comparing formats designed for preparation with equipment.
- Carte Noire offers whole-bean and ground coffee, as well as capsules and pods.
- These formats shouldn’t be confused with a jar of instant coffee.
Carrefour
A retailer where you can compare instant coffee pack sizes based on how you plan to buy.
- The retailer’s pages include 200 g jars of instant coffee.
- Ordering options may differ between in-store shopping, drive-through collection and delivery.
E.Leclerc
A retailer with options to explore for everyday and decaffeinated instant coffee.
- E.Leclerc lists 200 g jars of ECO+ freeze-dried instant coffee and 200 g jars of Plantation decaffeinated coffee.
- For Plantation, check whether the product can be ordered from your local store or drive-through collection service.
Auchan
A retailer where you can compare jars, decaffeinated coffee and individual portions side by side.
- Auchan’s range includes 200 g jars of instant coffee, as well as decaffeinated options and sticks.
- The available selection depends on the store and ordering method.
Jars of instant coffee available on Joybuy
These jars are for making instant coffee with hot water, without an espresso machine. Compare pack size with how often you serve coffee; these products aren’t an alternative to an extraction system.
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Maxwell House Instant Coffee Filter Quality, pack of 2 × 200 g
Worth considering for serving instant coffee without a machine if two jars suit your restocking arrangements.
This product comes as a pack of two 200 g jars. Check the dosage instructions on the jars you receive before deciding on serving portions.
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Maxwell House Instant Coffee Filter Quality, 200 g
This jar is suitable for serving instant coffee made with hot water, without using a machine to extract it.
For this 200 g product, Maxwell House states that it makes around 110 cups; the number you get depends on the dosage used. Check the label before deciding on serving portions.
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Maxwell House Classic Original Blend Instant Coffee, 100 g jar
This jar of instant coffee is worth considering if a 100 g pack better suits your planned service levels.
Check the dosage stated for the product you buy and how often the hotel will need to restock.
Frequently asked questions
Is a jar of instant coffee enough to serve espresso at a hotel?
No, not if the hotel means espresso made by extraction. Instant coffee is mixed with hot water; for a drink made by extraction, choose a compatible machine and coffee format, and plan for their maintenance.
How should you decide how much instant coffee to serve?
Start with the instructions on the jar you’re using. For the Maxwell House Filter Quality 200 g jar listed by Auchan, the stated dosage is one or two spoonfuls per approximately 100 ml of simmering water. Don’t apply this dosage to another product without checking its label.
How should you store the jar once it’s open?
Follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve bought and make sure the lid is properly closed. For the Maxwell House Filter Quality listed by Auchan, the guidance is to keep it away from heat and moisture.
What should you check before serving flavoured or milky instant coffees too?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information separately for each recipe. The ingredients in a particular black instant coffee won’t tell you what’s in a cappuccino, coffee with milk or flavoured mix.