If you’re short on time in the morning
You want to keep a jar in the cupboard and make coffee without a machine. Just remember to factor in cooling time: Auchan’s instructions for instant coffee start by dissolving it in hot water.
Who is this option for?
If you like to customise your iced coffee
You prefer to choose how much milk, plant-based drink, ice or syrup to add. NESCAFÉ’s iced coffee recipe lets you add these after preparing the coffee base.
If you’re mindful of your caffeine intake
You’re looking for a decaffeinated option or keeping an eye on your other sources of caffeine. Anses notes that caffeine affects people differently, depending on the individual and their habits.
What should you look for?
First, consider how much time you have to cool the coffee. Then compare jars based on your taste preferences, caffeine choice and the size you’re likely to use.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Instructions and whether you can prepare the base in advance. | If I want to serve iced coffee first thing in the morning without using a machine, I need to allow time for it to cool. Around 36% of consumers are said to prioritise this convenience. |
| Taste and customisation | Type of coffee, stated strength and ingredients in any flavoured preparation. | With milk or ice, I’d rather choose the base and additions myself than use a ready-flavoured preparation. Around 29% of consumers are said to put this first. |
| Caffeine | Look for the word “decaffeinated”; don’t use the strength rating to estimate caffeine content. | If I’m monitoring my caffeine intake, I first look for an explicitly decaffeinated option. Around 21% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
| Pack size and availability | Net weight, stated number of cups and whether the product is stocked at your chosen store. | If I plan to use a jar regularly, I want a suitable size and a product I can actually find. Around 14% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing iced coffee with cold brew
NESCAFÉ distinguishes between coffee that is prepared and then cooled, and coffee extracted without heat. A jar of instant coffee is suitable for the first method, not for making cold brew.
Choose instant coffee if you can prepare and cool a base. Choose cold brew if that’s the method you’re looking for and you can plan ahead.
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Taking the strength rating to mean caffeine content
Auchan’s product listings for regular and decaffeinated instant coffee both give a strength rating of 6/10. This figure can’t tell you how much caffeine is in a cup.
If caffeine is a deciding factor, look for the word “decaffeinated” and consider your other sources of caffeine.
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Choosing a jar based on size alone
The same net weight doesn’t tell you how many cups you’ll get using your usual amount. Jars and sticks also suit different ways of using instant coffee.
Compare the net weight, recommended amount and, where stated, the number of cups.
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Assuming a product listing means an item is in stock
Carrefour’s listings for Carte Noire and SIMPL, and Aldi’s listing for Barissimo iced instant coffee, all show these products as unavailable.
Check whether the product is available at your local store or for drive-through collection before setting off.
Brands to compare
Auchan
Auchan offers, among other options, a 200 g jar of regular freeze-dried instant coffee and a 100 g decaffeinated version. Both are listed with a strength rating of 6/10.
- The listings give the recommended amount and stated number of cups, making it easier to compare pack sizes.
- The same strength rating for both versions doesn’t tell you how much caffeine they contain.
PLANTATION (Marque Repère / E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc’s range includes instant coffee in jars and sticks, with freeze-dried and decaffeinated options.
- The range lets you compare jars for the cupboard with single-serve portions.
- Even if a product appears in the catalogue, you’ll still need to check whether your chosen store stocks it.
Maxwell House
Aldi offers 200 g jars of “Filter Quality” instant coffee in regular and decaffeinated versions.
- The two versions let you choose explicitly between regular and decaffeinated coffee.
- Check the packaging for the preparation instructions for the product you choose.
Carte Noire
Carrefour’s listing describes a 100 g jar of regular freeze-dried instant coffee.
- The type of coffee and net weight are clearly stated.
- Carrefour shows this product as unavailable on the listing consulted.
Barissimo
Aldi offers a 275 g “iced instant coffee” preparation in regular and caramel versions. This is different from a jar of plain instant coffee.
- The product name helps you distinguish a mix made specifically for iced coffee from a plain base you can customise.
- Aldi says this product is no longer available.
Jars of instant coffee available on Joybuy
These two 100 g options are coffee bases to prepare and then cool: one is regular, the other decaffeinated. Choose according to your caffeine preferences and follow the instructions on the product you buy.
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MAXWELL HOUSE Classic Original Blend instant coffee, 100 g jar
To make iced coffee with regular instant coffee, leave the base to cool before adding ice.
100 g jar. Check the product for the recommended amount and preparation instructions.
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NESCAFÉ Decaf Filter Coffee 100 g
For an iced drink when you prefer decaffeinated coffee, cool the base before serving with ice.
100 g pack. If the residual caffeine content is important to your choice, check the information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make iced coffee with instant coffee from a jar?
Prepare the coffee using the amount stated on the jar, leave the base to cool, then add ice. Auchan’s instructions say to dissolve the coffee in hot, but not boiling, water. NESCAFÉ’s iced coffee recipe then suggests adding milk or a plant-based drink, depending on your taste.
Is cooled instant coffee cold brew?
No. Instant coffee made with hot water and then cooled isn’t cold brew. NESCAFÉ distinguishes iced coffee, which is prepared and then cooled, from coffee extracted without heat.
Does the strength rating on the jar tell you how much caffeine it contains?
No. Auchan’s regular and decaffeinated options both have a strength rating of 6/10. Use the word “decaffeinated”, not the strength rating, to tell them apart.
How should you store an opened jar of instant coffee?
Follow the instructions on the jar you buy and close it again after use. Auchan’s listings for both its regular and decaffeinated options say to keep the packaging tightly closed in a cool, dry place.