Busy mornings
You want to make a cup with hot water, without setting up a coffee machine, and keep your coffee handy in the cupboard.
Who is a jar of instant coffee for?
People who choose their size carefully
You choose the jar size based on how many cups you make at home, rather than automatically opting for the largest one.
People mindful of their caffeine intake
You want to keep up your morning coffee routine while looking for a product clearly labelled “decaffeinated”.
What should you look for?
First, think about how much you’ll use once the jar is open, then check the ingredients and the details specific to the product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| No-machine preparation | The product description “instant coffee” and the preparation instructions on the product. | When I’m short on time in the morning, I want to make a cup with hot water, without a coffee machine. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this simple preparation. |
| Jar size | The net weight and storage instructions for after opening. | If I only drink instant coffee occasionally, I prefer a size I can use without leaving the jar open for too long. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a size that suits how often they drink it. |
| Ingredients and taste | The product description, ingredients and any details about the specific product’s flavour profile. | For a cup of black coffee, I want to distinguish instant coffee from a drink mix with other ingredients, then choose a flavour profile I enjoy. Around 21% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Caffeine | Whether the jar is clearly labelled “decaffeinated”. | If I’m mindful of my caffeine intake, I first look for a product clearly labelled decaffeinated. This is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying a large jar without thinking about how much you drink
A 200 g jar could stay open for a long time if you only make a cup now and then.
Choose the net weight to suit your needs, and read the product’s storage instructions.
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Confusing instant coffee with an instant drink mix
The same shelf may have instant coffee, chicory and cappuccino mixes, all with different ingredients.
For a simple black coffee, check the product description and ingredients for the exact product you’re buying.
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Leaving the jar open or exposing it to damp
For its L’OR Classique jar, JDE Professional France recommends closing it carefully and storing it away from heat, damp and direct sunlight.
Close your jar after every use and store it in a dry cupboard, following the instructions on its packaging.
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Assuming a coffee is decaffeinated because of its brand
A brand may offer both regular and decaffeinated products. Anses notes that the effects of caffeine vary from person to person and can affect sleep.
If this distinction matters to you, look for the word “decaffeinated” on the specific product you’re buying.
Instant coffee brands to know
NESCAFÉ
NESCAFÉ France offers several instant coffee products, including Espresso, Spécial Filtre and decaffeinated versions.
- The range gives you the option to look for a particular flavour profile or a decaffeinated product.
- Check the product description and size of the exact product you’re buying: the different options won’t all suit the same needs.
Carte Noire
Carrefour France’s range includes Carte Noire Café Soluble Classique in a 180 g jar, as well as single-serve sticks.
- The jar is an option for making instant coffee at home.
- When choosing a format, tell the jar apart from the individual portions.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour France’s range includes Café Soluble Gold in 100 g and 200 g jars.
- Two net weights give you a choice to suit how often you make a cup.
- The size alone won’t tell you whether you’ll enjoy the flavour.
Plantation (Marque Repère / E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc offers Plantation freeze-dried instant coffee in 100 g and 200 g jars, as well as a decaffeinated option.
- The different sizes and decaffeinated option cater to different shopping priorities.
- Check the description on the jar you choose rather than assuming every product in the range has the same features.
Jacobs Douwe Egberts / L’OR
JDE Professional France offers L’OR Classique in a 100 g jar; the corresponding Auchan product page describes it as freeze-dried instant coffee.
- The process and size listed give you useful pointers for identifying this product.
- Descriptions of the flavour alone can’t predict whether you’ll enjoy it in your cup.
Jars of instant coffee on Joybuy
This selection includes 100 g and 200 g jars, a pack of two jars and a decaffeinated option. First choose a size that suits how many cups you make at home, then check the details of the product you’ve chosen.
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Maxwell House Classic Original Blend, 100 g instant coffee
A 100 g jar to consider if you prefer to buy a smaller amount for your morning coffee.
Check the preparation instructions and date on the jar you receive.
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Maxwell House Filter Quality, pack of 2 x 200 g jars
This pack contains 400 g in total, so check that this amount suits how often you drink coffee.
The Joybuy France product page describes it as freeze-dried instant coffee in glass jars, with coffee listed as the ingredient.
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Maxwell House QUALITE FILTRE, 200 g instant coffee
A 200 g jar to consider if you regularly make instant coffee at home.
Compare the size with the amount you usually use, and follow the product’s storage instructions.
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NESCAFÉ Filtre decaffeinated, 100 g instant coffee
This 100 g product is labelled “decaffeinated” for shoppers looking for this feature.
The Joybuy France product page lists decaffeinated instant coffee as the ingredient; also check the information on the jar you receive.
Frequently asked questions
A jar or sticks for your morning coffee?
A jar is a good choice if you make coffee at home and want to adjust how much you use per cup. Sticks are more suited to individual portions you can take with you. Once opened, a jar should be closed and stored according to the instructions on its packaging.
How much instant coffee should you use from a jar?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve chosen, then adjust the amount to suit your taste. As an example for a specific product, the Auchan product page for L’OR instant coffee recommends one to two spoonfuls for around 100 ml of hot water just off the boil.
How should you store an opened jar?
Close it tightly after each use and follow the storage instructions on its packaging. For L’OR Classique in a 100 g jar, JDE Professional France recommends storing it in a cool, dry place, away from heat, damp and direct sunlight.
What should you look for on an instant coffee label?
Check the product description, ingredients, net weight and date shown on the prepacked product. The DGCCRF presents this labelling information as a way to identify the food you’re buying precisely.
Is the word “decaffeinated” enough to help you choose a coffee?
It identifies a decaffeinated product, but doesn’t tell you its size or full ingredients. Check that the word appears on the exact jar you’re buying. If your question about caffeine is related to a health condition, ask a healthcare professional for advice tailored to you.