For iced coffee to enjoy with an afternoon snack, start with a ground coffee whose flavour you already enjoy hot. A blend described as balanced may work well served black, while a bolder one may be preferable if you add milk or syrup. Next, check that it’s suitable for your equipment, choose a pack size that matches how often you drink coffee, and look for the word ‘decaffeinated’ if you’d like to reduce your caffeine intake. If you’re pouring hot coffee over ice, Nespresso recommends using large ice cubes to limit dilution.
If you mainly pour coffee over ice, a classic blend you already enjoy hot is a good place to start. Carrefour describes its Carte Noire Classique 100% arabica as balanced, although that description doesn’t guarantee it will suit your taste.
If you add milk, cold foam or syrup, choose a coffee whose character you enjoy in that recipe. A stated intensity, such as that of Auchan’s Tradition ground coffee, describes the product in question; it doesn’t measure its caffeine content.
If you make iced coffee often, compare pack sizes with the amount you’ll use after opening. For a later afternoon snack, you could look for a product specifically labelled decaffeinated, such as the Tradition decaffeinated ground coffee listed by E.Leclerc, depending on your sensitivity to caffeine.
First, choose the flavour you’re after and a method that works with your equipment. Then consider the pack size and whether you want decaffeinated coffee, based on how often and when you enjoy your afternoon coffee.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour after adding ice | The flavour profile described for the product and how you find it when served hot. Use large ice cubes if you’re pouring hot coffee over them. | If I add lots of ice, or even milk or syrup, I still want to taste the coffee in my cup. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this flavour after additions. |
| Preparation | The methods listed on the pack, such as filter, moka pot or cafetière, depending on the exact product. | To make my afternoon drink without changing equipment, I need coffee that suits the coffee maker I already use. Around 25% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
| Pack size | The pack weight, number of bags and storage instructions after opening. | If I make iced coffee regularly, I want an amount I can use and store properly. Around 25% of consumers would put pack size first. |
| Caffeine | Look for the word ‘decaffeinated’ if you want to reduce your caffeine intake; don’t infer the caffeine content from the intensity rating. | For a later afternoon drink, I’d prefer to reduce my caffeine intake without giving up iced coffee. Around 17% of consumers would put this need first. |
Intensity ratings of 7 and 8/10 shown for some products describe their profiles according to the sellers; they don’t let you compare caffeine levels. Anses says that sensitivity to caffeine varies and that caffeine can disrupt sleep.
If you want to reduce your caffeine intake for a later afternoon drink, look for the word ‘decaffeinated’ rather than choosing the lowest intensity rating.
A 1 kg pack and several 250 g packs won’t necessarily keep in the same way once opened.
Choose an amount that suits how often you make coffee, and follow the storage instructions for each product.
A pack left open for too long or not sealed properly may lose some of its aroma.
When hot coffee is poured over ice, the melting ice changes the flavour of the drink.
For this method, Nespresso recommends using large ice cubes to limit dilution.
A coffee pod isn’t the same as a pack of ground coffee intended for your coffee maker.
Before comparing products, check the product type, the stated uses and the exact product details.
An option for a simple iced coffee made with a classic ground coffee.
The Carrefour Classic’ range offers classic ground coffee in a choice of pack sizes.
The Plantation range includes several options for everyday ground coffee.
A Tradition product to consider if you’re looking for a profile described as more intense.
A range featuring several types of coffee, including ground coffee.
These ground coffees offer a few ways to enjoy an iced afternoon drink: an arabica-style cup, a recipe where you want a bolder character, or a decaffeinated option. The flavour in your drink will also depend on the method you use and any additions.
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Worth considering if you’d like to make iced coffee with 100% arabica ground coffee. Before choosing your preparation method, check that the grind is suitable for your equipment.
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A 250 g tin to consider if you make iced coffee with ground coffee. Check the product’s preparation instructions before using it with your coffee maker.
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Worth considering for a cold drink made with 100% arabica ground coffee. Check that the grind is suitable for your brewing method.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a coffee described as Intense for your iced recipe. The rating of 7 doesn’t measure caffeine content; also check that the grind suits your coffee maker.
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Worth considering if you’d like to reduce your caffeine intake with a later afternoon drink. Decaffeinated doesn’t mean caffeine-free; also check the instructions for using it with your coffee maker.
Start with a classic ground coffee whose flavour you already enjoy hot. If you pour it hot over ice, large ice cubes can limit dilution, as Nespresso recommends. Then adjust the preparation to suit your taste.
Yes, if the specific product lists these methods; don’t assume this applies to all ground coffees. For example, Auchan lists several methods for its illy Classico ground coffee. Check the instructions on the pack you’re buying.
Seal it carefully and follow the instructions for that product. For the Carte Noire Classique pack featured on its site, Joybuy recommends sealing it tightly and keeping it in a cool, dry place after opening.
No. Intensity ratings alone aren’t enough to compare the caffeine content of two products. If you want to reduce your caffeine intake for a later afternoon drink, look for a product specifically labelled decaffeinated, bearing in mind that it may still contain some residual caffeine.