People keeping an eye on caffeine in the evening
If you enjoy a hot drink with a snack before bed, whether it’s decaffeinated is more important than the shape of the bag. The Anses says caffeine can disrupt sleep.
Who are these formats for?
People who want to make one cup of black coffee
An instant coffee stick makes a single serving. If you’d rather add your own milk or sugar, make sure you distinguish black coffee from cappuccino-style or 3-in-1 mixes.
People interested in portable filter coffee
A drip coffee bag, such as those offered by Terres de Café, lets you brew coffee by extraction without a machine. It’s neither instant coffee nor, by definition, a pyramid bag.
What should you look for?
First, decide whether you want to dissolve instant coffee or brew filter coffee. If you’ll be drinking it late, check for the word “decaffeinated”, then look at the ingredients and number of servings.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine in the evening | Look for “decaffeinated” on the product you’re considering; don’t assume it’s decaffeinated based on the stated intensity. | If I have coffee before bed, I want to make an informed choice about its caffeine content. Around 36% of consumers reportedly prioritise this. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients list and, for an indulgent drink, the nutritional information. | With a snack, I prefer to decide for myself whether to add milk or sugar to my coffee. Around 21% of consumers would reportedly prioritise having this control over the recipe. |
| Single serving | Check the number of sticks, their weight and the recommended amount of water for the specific product. | When I’m only making one cup, I want an individual serving rather than having to measure coffee from a jar. Around 29% of consumers would reportedly put this first. |
| How it’s prepared | Look for “instant coffee” or “drip coffee bag” and follow the corresponding instructions. | If I’m after the ritual of filter coffee, I’m happy to let water pass through the coffee rather than dissolve granules. Around 14% of consumers would reportedly prioritise this brewing method. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Confusing a brew bag with instant coffee
A bag designed for extraction doesn’t work in the same way as instant coffee, which dissolves in water. So the shape of the bag alone won’t tell you how to prepare the coffee.
Check the product name and instructions: instant coffee dissolves in water, while a drip coffee bag is used to brew portable filter coffee.
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Choosing regular coffee without checking the caffeine content
According to the Anses, caffeine can delay falling asleep and reduce the duration and quality of sleep. This is worth bearing in mind if you’re having a drink late in the day.
If you’d like to avoid caffeine in the evening, look for a product explicitly labelled decaffeinated rather than relying on a low stated intensity.
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Assuming an indulgent mix is the same as black coffee
An instant cappuccino or 3-in-1 mix may contain added ingredients, including sugar or milk-based components. Its ingredients may therefore differ from those of black instant coffee.
If you’re choosing between these drinks, read the ingredients list and nutritional information, especially if you want to control how much milk or sugar you add yourself.
Brands to know for these formats
NESCAFÉ
A range of regular and decaffeinated instant coffees to consider depending on when you plan to drink them.
- For its Spécial Filtre sticks, NESCAFÉ recommends one sachet in 100 ml of hot, but not boiling, water.
- Check the exact product: the brand lists Spécial Filtre Décaféiné separately as decaffeinated.
Carte Noire
A black instant coffee in sticks, ideal for making a single serving.
- The Carrefour product listing for the 25 Classique sticks names “freeze-dried instant coffee” as the ingredient.
- Don’t confuse these sticks with the brand’s other coffee formats, which are prepared differently.
Auchan
Regular and decaffeinated instant coffee sticks, which you’ll need to tell apart when choosing.
- Auchan’s listings describe both products as boxes of 25 sticks, weighing 50 g; the decaffeinated version has a stated intensity of 6/10.
- The stated intensity doesn’t replace checking for the word “decaffeinated”.
Carrefour Extra
Available in jars and sticks, so you can choose between measuring with a spoon and individual servings.
- Carrefour describes a 200 g Extra Gold jar made from 100% instant coffee, as well as another product in 25 sticks of 2 g each.
- Check the ingredients and packaging of the specific product you’re considering.
Jacobs
An instant coffee option in individual servings, listed by a trade supplier.
- DRH Market describes Jacobs Krönung Instant Sticks as 1.8 g servings.
- If you’re interested in this format, check the purchasing terms that apply to your order.
Joybuy products to match your preferences
These products let you explore decaffeinated instant coffee in a jar, a decaffeinated stick mix and instant coffees to suit different serving sizes or recipes. Start by choosing the type of drink you want, then check the caffeine content and ingredients of the product you’re interested in.
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NESCAFÉ Decaf Filter Coffee 100 g
Worth considering if you’d like decaffeinated instant coffee with a late-night snack. This 100 g jar is measured out with a spoon, so it isn’t a pre-measured single serving.
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AGF Blendy stick Cafe au Lait Decaffeinated, 6 sticks
Consider this if you prefer a decaffeinated, single-serve café au lait-style drink. It contains milk-based ingredients, sugar and sweeteners, so it’s not a substitute for black coffee with nothing added.
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MAXWELL HOUSE Quick Filter Coffee Sticks (M.H.) 45 g
The stick format may suit you if you want to make a single serving of instant coffee. If you’re drinking it late, check the caffeine information on the product you’ve chosen; don’t assume it’s decaffeinated just because it’s called “Quick Filter”.
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Trung Nguyen G7 Instant Coffee Pure Black 30 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for black instant coffee rather than a café au lait-style mix. Check the packaging before expecting individual servings, and look at the caffeine information if you plan to drink it in the evening.
Frequently asked questions
Does a pyramid bag improve the way you make instant coffee?
The pyramid shape alone doesn’t offer any particular benefit for instant coffee, which dissolves in water. If you want coffee brewed by extraction, look for a drip coffee bag instead and check the instructions.
Which coffee should you choose with a late-night snack?
If you’d like to avoid caffeine at that time of night, start by looking at decaffeinated products and their ingredients. According to the Anses, caffeine can delay falling asleep and reduce the duration and quality of sleep.
How much water should you use for an instant coffee stick?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought rather than assuming the same amount applies to every stick. NESCAFÉ recommends one sachet of Spécial Filtre in 100 ml of hot, but not boiling, water.
Is instant cappuccino the same as black instant coffee?
No, their ingredients may differ: a cappuccino-style or 3-in-1 mix may contain sugar and dairy or plant-based ingredients. Compare the ingredients list and nutritional information if you want to control what you add to your drink.