Self-service office teams
If everyone makes their own cup during the lunch break, sticks let you take a portion without measuring out the powder. Check how many sticks come in each box to help manage shared supplies.
Who are these formats for?
Large households and offices with a dedicated coffee point
If several cups are made in the same place, a jar can work well as long as there’s a spoon, cups and hot water available. The number of cups you get will depend on how much coffee is used each time.
People looking to limit their caffeine intake
An explicitly labelled decaffeinated option can sit alongside regular coffee in a shared space. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) notes that caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person, particularly when it comes to sleep.
What should you check before buying?
Individual sticks
Choose these if: several people serve themselves separately or take a portion with them.
Bear in mind: to get 240 portions, the number of boxes you’ll need depends on how many sticks each one contains.
Jar of instant coffee
Choose this if: people make their cups in a kitchen or equipped break room.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure out the powder and reseal the container. The number of cups varies depending on how much you use.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and stock | Count the sticks in each box and the boxes in each case. For a jar, distinguish between the net weight and the stated number of cups. | When several colleagues are helping themselves, I want to make sure there are enough portions without confusing sachets with cups. Around 40% of consumers would put this planning need first. |
| Taste and serving size | Check the stated flavour profile and preparation instructions, and compare the recommended serving sizes for each product. | If I often make the same coffee during my lunch break, I want to use a serving size that suits me. This would be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Caffeine | Check that the product is clearly labelled “decaffeinated”, then read its preparation instructions. | In a shared break room, I want the option of a decaffeinated drink rather than automatically having the coffee on offer. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise having this choice. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing sticks, sachets and cups
The net weight or stated number of cups won’t necessarily match the number of individual portions. Carrefour, for example, lists Carte Noire packs containing 25 and 80 sticks, while Auchan states that one of its 200 g jars makes around 100 cups.
If you need 240 servings, work out the quantities using the unit given for each product. Allow some extra when buying a jar if people use different amounts per cup.
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Choosing a jar without planning how it will be served
Unlike a stick, a jar means measuring out the powder for every cup. Auchan’s 200 g instant coffee product page recommends one to two teaspoons per cup.
If people drink coffee at different desks, individual portions may be more convenient. For a dedicated coffee point, first check how everyone will be able to make their cup.
If the office doesn’t already have them, you’ll also need to provide spoons and cups, and make sure there’s access to hot water.
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Overlooking storage for an opened large pack
An opened container needs to be stored according to the product instructions, particularly if it will take a while to use it all.
Choose an amount that suits how quickly you’ll get through it. For its 200 g jar, Auchan advises sealing the pack tightly and storing it in a cool, dry place.
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Only providing caffeinated coffee in a shared space
People don’t all have the same preferences when it comes to caffeine. Anses notes, in particular, that its effects on sleep vary from person to person.
If several people use the break room, you could offer a clearly labelled decaffeinated option alongside regular coffee, without assuming it will suit every occasion.
Brands to compare across formats
NESCAFÉ
NESCAFÉ France offers its Spécial Filtre in a box of 25 sticks, with instructions for making one cup.
- Each stick makes one portion; NESCAFÉ recommends adding 100 ml of steaming water.
- To get 240 portions with this 25-stick format, you’ll need several boxes.
Carte Noire
Carrefour lists 45 g packs of Carte Noire Classique instant coffee containing 25 sticks, and also includes an 80-stick format in its range.
- These two stick counts make it easy to work out the quantities needed for individual servings.
- Check the exact pack size you’ve chosen before planning stock for 240 portions.
Auchan
Auchan offers a 200 g jar of instant coffee said to make around 100 cups, as well as a 100 g decaffeinated version said to make around 50 cups.
- The product pages give an estimated number of cups and identify the decaffeinated option separately.
- The number of cups depends on how much coffee you actually use; it isn’t a count of individual sticks.
Instant coffee sticks on Joybuy
This stick format is suited to offices where everyone takes an individual portion. To plan stock for 240 servings, check how many sticks are in the box before deciding how many to order.
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MAXWELL HOUSE Quick Filter Coffee Sticks (M.H.), 45 g
Instant coffee sticks for individual servings at the office.
Stated weight: 45 g. Check how many sticks are in the box and read the preparation instructions to work out how much stock you’ll need.
Frequently asked questions
Will a box of 240 sachets always make 240 cups?
No. First check what the number on the pack refers to. One stick makes one individual portion, while the number of cups stated for a jar depends on how much coffee you use.
How do you make NESCAFÉ Spécial Filtre at the office?
NESCAFÉ France recommends pouring one stick into a cup, then adding 100 ml of steaming water. Follow the product instructions if you choose a different option.
How should you store a large jar of instant coffee after opening?
Follow the instructions on the container. For its 200 g instant coffee, Auchan recommends closing the pack tightly and keeping it in a cool, dry place.
Should you also provide decaffeinated coffee in a break room?
A decaffeinated option can be useful if some people want to limit their caffeine intake. Check that the product is explicitly labelled as decaffeinated; Anses notes that caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person.