If you use your emergency supply regularly, start with a 180–200 g jar and check how many cups it makes: several 200 g products state that they make around 100 cups. A 95–100 g size takes up less space. Then choose your preferred type of coffee, including decaffeinated if that’s your priority, and follow the product’s own serving instructions.
If you need to serve coffee unexpectedly or your coffee machine breaks down, the number of cups matters more than the jar’s apparent size. Carrefour and Auchan list 200 g products that make around 100 cups.
A coffee described as mild, filter-style or espresso won’t suit everyone equally. Check the product description and preparation method rather than choosing by weight alone.
A product clearly labelled as decaffeinated makes it easy to distinguish this need from a simple preference for a particular flavour. The Anses notes that caffeine can disrupt sleep, so it’s worth checking the type of coffee before you buy.
For instant coffee to keep as a backup, start with the number of cups you expect to make, then check the type of coffee, the packaging and the information on the product.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of cups | Compare the net weight with the stated number of cups: several 200 g products say they make around 100 cups. | If I’m keeping coffee for several people or unexpected situations, I want a supply that lasts. Around 36% of consumers prioritise having enough quantity. |
| Type of coffee | Read the product description and instructions: an 95 g espresso product listed by Auchan calls for 60 ml of water per cup. | I want a type of coffee that the people I’m buying for will enjoy, even in an emergency. Taste and preparation style come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Caffeine | Look for the word “decaffeinated” on the exact product and follow its serving instructions. | If I want to limit my caffeine intake, I need to be able to tell decaffeinated coffee apart from regular coffee from the same brand. This distinction is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Buying and storage | Check the packaging, availability at your chosen shop and the date printed on the packaging. | For a quick shop, I want to find the right jar and be able to store it properly. Around 14% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
A 200 g jar and a 95 g espresso size won’t necessarily make the same number of cups or suit the same tastes. Several 200 g products state that they make around 100 cups, compared with 52 for the 95 g espresso product listed by Auchan.
Start with the number of cups you expect to make, then compare the serving and preparation instructions for each product.
A Carrefour page stated that a 200 g jar of decaffeinated coffee was unavailable for drive-through collection. So seeing a product listed online doesn’t necessarily mean you can get it from your local shop.
Select your shop or delivery area before relying on this product for an emergency shop.
In France, the DGCCRF distinguishes between the best-before date (DDM), after which the product’s quality may decline if the packaging is intact, and the use-by date (DLC), which must not be passed.
Check the date wording actually shown on the packaging and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions.
Instructions vary by product: the 95 g NESCAFÉ espresso listed by Auchan calls for 60 ml of water, while the 100 g NESCAFÉ decaffeinated coffee listed on Joybuy specifies 150 ml.
Follow the serving instructions and water quantity given for the coffee you’ve bought, rather than automatically using the method for another jar.
The range includes different sizes and types of instant coffee, so choose according to the cups you expect to make.
A brand to consider if you’re deciding between a jar of regular instant coffee and single-serve sticks.
A supermarket own-label brand to compare if the size of your backup supply is your main priority.
Supermarket own-label products to explore, depending on the size and type of coffee you’re looking for.
These options include two 200 g jars of filter-style instant coffee and a 100 g decaffeinated size. The right choice depends mainly on how many cups you expect to make and whether you prefer regular or decaffeinated coffee.
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A pack to consider if you want to keep two jars of instant coffee for repeated use without a coffee machine.
Two 200 g jars; filter-style instant coffee.
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A single jar to consider for a supply of filter-style instant coffee that you can make without a coffee machine.
200 g size. Check the jar’s label for serving instructions and storage advice.
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This size is a good fit if your main priority is to keep decaffeinated instant coffee rather than a large supply of regular coffee.
100 g jar. The Joybuy listing recommends 1–2 teaspoons per 150 ml of hot, non-boiling water; adjust the amount to suit the preparation instructions on the product.
Yes, the instant coffee products featured can be made with water, without a coffee machine. However, follow the product instructions: the 95 g NESCAFÉ espresso listed by Auchan calls for 60 ml of simmering water, while the 100 g NESCAFÉ decaffeinated coffee listed on Joybuy specifies 150 ml of hot, non-boiling water.
A 200 g jar is worth considering if you expect to make several cups: several products listed by Carrefour and Auchan say they make around 100 cups. If you’d prefer a smaller supply or a particular type of coffee, also check 95–100 g sizes and how many cups they make, where this information is provided.
Look for the word “decaffeinated” on the exact product, rather than relying on the brand or the appearance of the jar alone. Also check the size and preparation instructions before adding it to your supply.
In France, the best-before date (DDM) relates to the product’s quality. According to the DGCCRF, it can be passed if the packaging is intact, although some qualities, particularly the taste, may deteriorate. This differs from a use-by date (DLC), which must not be passed. Check the date wording actually printed on your jar.