Fans of a short, strong coffee
You’re looking for a full-flavoured instant coffee to enjoy with a sandwich, and would like to know how much water to use for a small cup.
Who is this guide for?
Anyone taking a quick break
You make coffee without a machine, at work or at home, and choose between individual sachets and a jar you can measure out depending on where you’ll be drinking it.
Shoppers who check the format and ingredients
Before choosing a product described as intense, you check the pack size, the stated number of cups and the ingredients list.
What should you look for?
To go with a sandwich, start with the flavour and cup size you prefer, then choose a pack that suits where you’ll be taking your break.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Strong flavour | The stated aroma profile and intensity, and the recommended amount of water for a small cup. | If I want to finish my sandwich with a small, full-flavoured coffee, I prioritise its flavour over any assumed stimulating effect. Around 42% of consumers are said to prioritise a strong flavour. |
| Quick preparation | Sachets or a jar to measure out, as well as access to hot water and a cup. | When I’m taking a break away from home, I want to make my coffee without a machine or complicated measuring. Ease of preparation is said to be the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size and ingredients | The weight, stated number of cups and ingredients list for the product you choose. | If I have several cups in the same place, I prefer to check the pack size and know what’s in the jar. This is said to be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Confusing flavour intensity with caffeine content
An intensity rating describes the flavour, including the body and bitterness; it doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in each cup. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) also notes that caffeine can affect sleep, although the effects vary from person to person.
Choose your coffee for its flavour, and check the product information if caffeine content matters to you.
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Choosing a jar without considering where you’ll take your break
A jar lets you measure out each cup, but you’ll need a spoon and must seal the pack properly between uses. Sachets mean you don’t have to carry the whole jar.
For breaks in the same place, check the jar’s dosage and storage instructions. If you’re on the move, consider individual sachets.
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Assuming all instant coffee is extra strong
A classic or balanced blend may not be what you’re looking for if you want a strong flavour. Even when an intensity rating is shown, it’s a guide to taste—not a measurement that can be compared directly across brands.
Check the aroma profile and preparation instructions for the specific product rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Brands to consider for this kind of break
NESCAFÉ
According to NESCAFÉ France, Espresso Intenso is a 100% Arabica instant coffee designed for a short cup made with 60 ml of hot water just off the boil.
- Auchan gives this product an intensity rating of 7.
- This rating doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in each cup.
Carte Noire
Carrefour lists a 180 g jar of Carte Noire classic instant coffee, made with Arabica and Robusta beans.
- A jar can be a good choice if you’ll be making coffee repeatedly in the same place.
- If you’re specifically looking for a strong cup, check the profile of the product you choose rather than assuming that “classic” means extra strong.
Jacobs
Professional supplier DRH Market describes Jacobs Pur Gold as a 100 g instant coffee with a balanced aroma profile.
- This product could suit a break area if you prefer a balanced flavour profile.
- If you’re looking for a very strong flavour, check the aroma profile of the Jacobs product you’re considering.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour describes its 100 g Café Soluble Gold as intense and made from 100% freeze-dried instant coffee.
- The description makes it clear that this is instant coffee without other ingredients.
- The word “intense” doesn’t, on its own, indicate a strength that can be directly compared with another brand’s numerical rating.
Auchan
Auchan describes its 200 g freeze-dried instant coffee as having an intensity rating of 6/10 and making around 100 cups.
- The jar lets you measure out each serving.
- You’ll need a spoon, and the pack should be resealed after use.
Plantation (E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc offers Plantation freeze-dried instant coffee in sachets and 100 g or 200 g jars, as well as a decaffeinated version.
- These pack formats suit different needs for portability and measuring out servings.
- If you’re looking for a strong flavour, check the profile of the specific product before buying.
Instant coffee on Joybuy
This instant coffee could be a good option for making a cup without a machine during a sandwich break. If you’re specifically after a small, strong cup, check its intensity and preparation instructions before choosing it.
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Trung Nguyen G7 Instant Coffee Pure Black, 30 g
This 30 g instant coffee is for anyone who wants to make a cup without a machine. For a small, strong cup, check the pack for the recommended amount, volume of water and flavour information. A description such as “strong” doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains.
Frequently asked questions
Does “intense” instant coffee always contain more caffeine?
No. Intensity refers to the flavour profile, not the amount of caffeine in each cup. Carte Noire, for example, distinguishes this perception of flavour from the “strength” attributed to the drink. For caffeine information, check the details for the specific product you’ve chosen.
How much water should I use for a small cup?
Follow the instructions for your instant coffee rather than using the same amount of water for every product. NESCAFÉ France recommends 60 ml of hot water just off the boil for its Espresso Intenso; other products may have different instructions.
Are sachets or a jar better for a sandwich break?
Sachets are worth considering if you need to carry your coffee with you. A jar is convenient if you’ll be making coffee repeatedly somewhere you can measure it out and store it. Either way, you’ll need hot water and a cup, and should follow the product instructions.
How should I store an opened jar of instant coffee?
Seal it carefully and follow the instructions on the pack. For its intense instant coffee in a jar, Auchan advises keeping the pack tightly closed in a cool, dry place.