To serve coffee with dessert without using a machine, choose instant coffee in a jar if easy preparation and cupboard storage are your priorities. If you prefer coffee made by extraction, opt for ground coffee suitable for your espresso machine or moka pot. The word ‘espresso’ on an instant coffee jar does not change how it is prepared. Then compare the ingredients, pack size and storage instructions for the product you choose.
If you want to serve coffee after a meal without getting a coffee maker out, instant coffee can be made with hot water. Lavazza France and Carte Noire describe this as a way to enjoy instant coffee without a machine.
If flavour matters just as much as ease of preparation, compare the flavour notes and ingredients of each product rather than relying on the word ‘espresso’ alone.
If you want to keep coffee in the cupboard for the occasional treat, check the net quantity, whether it comes in a jar or sticks, and the storage instructions.
Choose this if: you want to make coffee with dessert using hot water, without a machine.
Bear in mind: the coffee dissolves in water; it is not made by extraction in an espresso machine.
Choose this if: you have a compatible coffee maker and prefer coffee made by extraction.
Bear in mind: this method requires a coffee maker and careful storage after opening, as Lavazza France points out.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation without a machine | The product description ‘instant coffee’ and the stated preparation method. | When I serve coffee with dessert without a coffee maker, I want to be able to prepare a cup with hot water; around 33% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Preparation by extraction | Ground coffee suited to the espresso machine or moka pot you use. | If I already own a coffee maker, I want coffee made by extraction rather than coffee that dissolves in water; this comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Flavour and ingredients | The ingredients list and flavour notes for the specific product. | When choosing coffee to go with dessert, I want to know what it contains so I can pick the right flavour profile; around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Cupboard storage | The net quantity, whether it comes in a jar or sticks, and the storage instructions. | When I only serve coffee with dessert occasionally, I prefer a pack size that suits how often I use it; this is the top concern for around 20% of consumers. |
The former dissolves in water; the latter needs to be suitable for an extraction method. So the word ‘espresso’ on a jar is not enough to show that its contents are suitable for a machine.
Choose your preparation method first, then check the product description and instructions.
Pack sizes vary: illy offers, among other options, a 95 g instant coffee; Carrefour sells a 180 g Carte Noire jar; and E.Leclerc has Plantation products in 100 g and 200 g sizes. A larger pack is not necessarily the best choice for occasional use.
Compare the net quantities and choose a size that suits how often you make coffee.
Ingredients vary between products: Carrefour lists ‘100 % organic instant coffee’ for its Espresso Bio, while illy’s Classico contains 3 % roasted ground coffee.
Read the ingredients list for the specific product, along with its product description and flavour notes.
Storage advice varies by product. For one of its espresso instant coffees, Carrefour advises keeping it away from heat and moisture.
Follow the instructions on the packaging and close the container after use.
A range of instant coffees in 95 g tins, with several flavour profiles to choose from.
An instant coffee option in a jar, useful for comparing cupboard-friendly pack sizes.
An organic espresso instant coffee to consider if you’re checking the ingredients.
A range that lets you compare larger packs with individual portions.
Own-brand options to compare by pack size and whether you prefer decaffeinated coffee.
These two 100 g products are intended for making coffee with dessert using a product described as instant, or one to check as such. If you want espresso made by extraction, check that ground coffee is compatible with your coffee maker.
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For coffee with dessert without using a machine, this product is described as 100 g of organic instant coffee. If you’re choosing a coffee to pair with a particular dessert, check the product’s flavour notes.
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For decaffeinated coffee with dessert, this product comes in a 100 g pack. The name ‘Filter Coffee’ does not tell you how it should be prepared. If you’re looking for instant coffee, check the product description and instructions on the packaging.
No. Instant coffee dissolves in water, while an espresso machine makes coffee by extraction. If this method is your priority, choose ground coffee suited to your equipment and check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Follow the instructions on the packaging and close the jar after use. For one of its espresso instant coffees, Carrefour recommends storing it away from heat and moisture.
Check the product description, ingredients, net quantity and storage instructions to choose the right product. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds shoppers that mandatory food labelling information must be visible, legible and written at least in French.
Sticks are a good choice if you prefer individual portions or want to take your coffee with you; a jar is better suited to keeping in the cupboard. E.Leclerc offers both formats, so compare the total quantity and preparation method before choosing.