For anyone organising a shared break
If you’re serving coffee alongside tea and biscuits, sticks let everyone take a portion without measuring out the powder with a spoon. Auchan’s range includes a box of 80 Carte Noire sticks.
Which format is right for you?
For regular coffee drinkers who make it in the same place
At home or at work, you may prefer to measure your coffee from a jar. Carrefour’s range includes a 200 g jar of Nescafé NES, advertised as making 100 cups. Bear in mind that this figure depends on the product’s preparation instructions.
For anyone keeping an eye on their caffeine intake
If the break itself matters more to you than individual portions, compare options clearly labelled as decaffeinated. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) notes that caffeine can affect how quickly you fall asleep, and that sensitivity varies from person to person.
What should you check before choosing?
First decide whether you need individual portions or a jar you can measure from, then check whether you want regular or decaffeinated coffee.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the sticks and check the net weight and the stated amount of water. Auchan’s Carte Noire listing specifies 80 sticks and 144 g. | When everyone makes their own cup, I want to take a portion without measuring the powder; around 45% of consumers are said to prioritise this way of serving coffee. |
| A supply for regular breaks | Compare the weight and the stated number of cups, without assuming that a cup is equivalent to a stick from another product. Carrefour’s Nescafé NES listing specifies 200 g for 100 cups. | If I usually make my coffee in the same place, I’d rather have a supply I can measure out myself; around 33% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
| Caffeine | Look for the word “decaffeinated” and check the packaging format. Carrefour’s Nescafé Spécial Filtre Décaféiné listing specifies 100 g, making 50 cups. | For a late break, I want to cut down on caffeine first, even if that means choosing a different format; nearly 22% of consumers are said to put this need first. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
-
Assuming 80 sticks are equivalent to the 100 cups stated for a jar
These figures don’t necessarily represent the same amount of coffee per cup. Auchan lists a 144 g box of 80 Carte Noire sticks, while Carrefour says its 200 g Nescafé NES makes 100 cups.
Check the net weight and recommended amount for each product before comparing how many servings you’ll get.
-
Using the same amount of water for every stick
Preparation instructions vary by product. The listing for the box of 80 Carte Noire sticks and Nescafé’s instructions for its Spécial Filtre sticks both specify 100 ml of hot water per stick.
Check the instructions on your own pack rather than automatically following those for a different coffee.
-
Choosing a format without checking the caffeine content
For a late break, the number of sticks alone won’t tell you how much caffeine the coffee contains. ANSES notes that caffeine can delay falling asleep and reduce the duration and quality of sleep.
If you’d like to cut down on caffeine, look for a product clearly labelled as decaffeinated, then check that its packaging suits you.
-
Confusing instant coffee with a flavoured instant drink
The name of an instant drink doesn’t tell you whether it has the same ingredients as regular instant coffee. Carrefour describes its 100 g Nescafé Spécial Filtre Décaféiné as “100% decaffeinated instant coffee”; this doesn’t apply to every instant drink.
Check the product description and ingredients list for the option you’re considering.
Brands and retailers to know
Carte Noire
The box of 80 regular instant coffee sticks featured by Auchan is an individual-portion option for shared breaks.
- Auchan’s listing specifies 144 g, an Arabica/Robusta blend and instructions to prepare one stick with 100 ml of hot water.
- These details apply to the box of 80 sticks, not to other Carte Noire formats.
Nescafé
Its range includes sticks and coffee you can measure out yourself, in both regular and decaffeinated options.
- Carrefour lists Nescafé NES as 200 g for 100 cups and Spécial Filtre Décaféiné as 100 g for 50 cups.
- The stated cup counts for these products don’t mean that they come in a box of 80 sticks.
Auchan
Its instant coffee range includes the box of 80 Carte Noire sticks, alongside other portion counts and jar formats.
- The Carte Noire listing gives the weight and number of sticks, two useful details when comparing formats.
- A product appearing in the online range doesn’t guarantee that it’s available in every store.
Carrefour
Its listings let you compare regular and decaffeinated instant coffees by weight and stated cup count.
- Carrefour’s Nescafé NES and Spécial Filtre Décaféiné listings show two different yields and coffee options.
- Details in a product listing should always be considered in relation to that specific product and packaging.
Joybuy products to suit your needs
If you’d like to serve coffee during your break, these options come in three different formats: a pack of 75 sticks, 100 g of decaffeinated instant coffee and a 180 g refill of regular instant coffee. The pack of sticks isn’t the box of 80 Carte Noire portions mentioned above.
Image unavailable
NESCAFÉ Special Filter, three boxes of 25 sticks, 50 g each
For serving individual portions during a break. The pack contains 75 sticks in total, not a box of 80.
Image unavailable
NESCAFÉ Decaf Filter Coffee, 100 g
Worth considering if decaffeinated coffee matters more to you than individual portions. This 100 g pack isn’t a box of 80 sticks; check the preparation instructions on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Carte Noire instant coffee refill, 180 g
For making instant coffee by measuring it out yourself rather than using sticks. This 180 g refill is different from the 144 g box of 80 Carte Noire sticks; check the preparation instructions for the refill.
Frequently asked questions
Is a box of 80 sticks suitable for a tea-and-biscuit break?
Yes, if you’d like to serve individual portions of coffee alongside tea. The Carte Noire box featured by Auchan contains 80 sticks; make sure tea is available for anyone who prefers it to coffee.
How much water should I use for one stick of instant coffee?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought: the listing for the box of 80 Carte Noire sticks specifies one stick per 100 ml of hot water. Nescafé also specifies 100 ml for its Spécial Filtre sticks, but you shouldn’t automatically apply this amount to every product.
How should I store instant coffee after opening?
Follow the instructions on the packaging and reseal it when needed. Joybuy’s listing for the 100 g Nescafé decaffeinated coffee says to store it in a cool, dry place.
Is decaffeinated coffee worth considering for a late break?
Yes, if you’re looking to cut down on caffeine, but make sure the packaging suits you too. ANSES notes that caffeine can affect how quickly you fall asleep and the quality of your sleep, although sensitivity varies from person to person. Carrefour’s range includes a 100 g Nescafé Spécial Filtre that is clearly labelled as decaffeinated.