For a bold iced coffee during your afternoon break, choose beans if you want to control the coffee-to-ice ratio yourself, a concentrate to make several drinks according to its instructions, or a ready-to-drink option if speed is your priority. Beans require equipment and time, while ready-to-drink drinks have a set recipe, so check the milk and sugar content in particular. An intensity rating cannot be used to compare caffeine levels.
If you have a bean-to-cup machine or a coffee grinder, you can choose how much coffee to use and adjust the dilution before serving it over ice. Auchan’s product pages for L’OR Absolu and Carte Noire Espresso state that these beans are suitable for this type of equipment.
A ready-to-drink option means you can skip grinding and cooling the coffee. However, check the recipe and storage instructions after opening: the Carte Noire Cappuccino and Starbucks Triple Shot examples described by Auchan are milk-based drinks.
Compare the ingredients, allergens and sugar content against the volume you plan to drink. If you’re concerned about caffeine, don’t judge the amount by a bold taste or intensity rating alone. Anses particularly advises caution for children, teenagers, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Start by choosing between making coffee from beans, diluting a concentrate and having a ready-to-drink option. These formats require different equipment and preparation.
Choose this if: you want to control the amount of coffee and how much it’s diluted over ice.
Bear in mind: you’ll need suitable equipment, time to prepare the coffee and time for it to cool before serving.
Choose this if: you’re making several drinks and want to control how much they’re diluted.
Bear in mind: the amount to use and any additional ingredients will depend on the instructions and recipe for your chosen concentrate.
Choose this if: you want a cold drink without preparing or diluting coffee.
Bear in mind: the recipe and serving size are fixed; the Carte Noire Cappuccino and Starbucks Triple Shot examples described by Auchan contain milk and sugars.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable bold flavour | Check that the format is compatible with your equipment and read the preparation instructions. A brand’s intensity rating does not measure caffeine content. | I want to adjust the amount of coffee before serving it over ice, rather than rely on a fixed recipe; around 31% of consumers prioritise this control over flavour. |
| Preparation time | Compare the format, volume and steps involved before serving. Check the storage instructions after opening, too. | When I’m short on time, I’d rather skip grinding and cooling; speed is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Milk and sugars | Read the ingredients, allergens and sugar content per 100 ml, then take the bottle size into account. | I don’t want to find out during my afternoon break that my drink contains more milk or sugar than I expected; this is the top consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Caffeine sensitivity | Check the information for your chosen product and don’t use its intensity rating to estimate the caffeine content. | If I’m having a late break, I consider my caffeine sensitivity before choosing a bold-tasting coffee; around 15% of consumers put this precaution first. |
Intensity ratings describe products according to each brand’s own scale; they don’t provide comparable caffeine levels. Auchan’s product page for Carte Noire Espresso even lists “intensity 9” in the title and “Intensity 10” in the specifications.
First, choose the format and recipe that suit you. To check the caffeine content, read the information for the product you’re buying rather than comparing ratings across brands.
Auchan’s product pages state that Carte Noire Cappuccino contains 94% milk and 8.8 g of sugars per 100 ml, while Starbucks Triple Shot contains 75% milk and 8.5 g of sugars per 100 ml.
Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens, sugar content per 100 ml and the amount you plan to drink.
According to Auchan’s product page, the 750 ml Carte Noire Cappuccino should be refrigerated after opening and consumed within 3 days. The Starbucks Triple Shot product page says to consume it immediately after opening.
Choose a size that suits the number of drinks you plan to make and follow the instructions on the bottle.
A large bottle that you can’t finish within the recommended time may go to waste.
Two distinct formats: Espresso beans to prepare at home, and ready-to-drink organic Cappuccino to enjoy cold.
The range includes Absolu Intensity 13 beans for you to prepare, as well as iced coffee concentrates listed by Carrefour.
Triple Shot Espresso is an example of a single-serve milk-based drink to enjoy chilled.
These products offer a choice between a quick cold drink with added flavour and making coffee from beans. If you choose beans and plan to serve your coffee over ice, check the preparation method and equipment you’ll need.
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For a quick cold drink, this hazelnut-flavoured coffee comes in a 230 ml bottle. Check the ingredients, sugar content and serving instructions to make sure it suits your preferences.
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Worth considering if you prefer to prepare and measure out your coffee before serving it cold. This is a 1 kg bag of whole beans; the stated intensity of 11/13 does not indicate the caffeine content. Check what equipment and preparation are needed to serve it over ice.
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This 500 g bag of whole beans is for those who prefer to prepare their coffee rather than open a ready-to-drink option. The 10/13 intensity rating is specific to this product; it isn’t a way to compare its caffeine content with other coffees. Check the instructions and your equipment if you plan to serve it over ice.
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This 1 kg bag of whole beans is a good option if you’d rather prepare your coffee before your afternoon break than choose a ready-to-drink format. If you want to serve it cold, check the preparation instructions and equipment required; the name Cremoso does not indicate the caffeine content.
No. A coffee’s intensity rating alone doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains. Auchan’s product pages for L’OR Absolu and Carte Noire Espresso show ratings specific to each product. To check the caffeine content, read the information for the product you’ve chosen rather than comparing figures across brands.
Follow the instructions on the bottle, as they vary by product. According to Auchan, organic Carte Noire Cappuccino should be refrigerated after opening and consumed within 3 days, while Starbucks Triple Shot should be consumed immediately after opening.
First check the ingredients and allergens, then the sugar content per 100 ml and how much you plan to drink. Auchan’s product pages state that Carte Noire Cappuccino contains 94% milk and 8.8 g of sugars per 100 ml, while Starbucks Triple Shot contains 75% milk and 8.5 g of sugars per 100 ml.
Take your sensitivity and the time of day into account, and don’t use a bold taste to estimate the amount of caffeine. Anses particularly advises limiting caffeine for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and teenagers, and reminds us that people’s sensitivity to its effects varies.