Travellers with access to hot water
If you have a cup and hot water during your journey, an instant coffee stick lets you make a single serving without a machine. Check the amount of water recommended for the product you choose.
Who are these formats for?
Travellers looking to limit their caffeine intake
A stick labelled ‘decaffeinated’ could suit your preference while offering the convenience of an individual serving. The Anses notes that the effects of caffeine, particularly on sleep, vary from person to person.
Travellers who prefer coffee with milk
A mix-in drink means you won’t need to take milk separately. However, its recipe may differ considerably from black coffee, so check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product.
What should you check before choosing?
For a meal on the train, first check whether you’ll be able to prepare your drink on board. Then choose between black coffee, decaffeinated coffee and a coffee-and-milk drink. The word ‘sachet’ alone doesn’t tell you whether the contents dissolve in water or need to be brewed.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing your drink on board | Access to a cup and hot water, plus the volume stated on the pack. | I want to be able to make coffee with my meal, without a machine or any unexpected equipment. Around 40% of consumers are said to make this their top priority. |
| Type of format | The words ‘instant coffee’ or, for a ground coffee pod, the equipment needed to prepare it. | If I’m looking for an infusion sachet, I want to know what’s inside before buying a stick that dissolves. This is said to be the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Caffeine | The product you choose should be labelled ‘decaffeinated’. | For a late journey, I’d prefer to limit my caffeine intake without giving up individual portions. Around 20% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
| Coffee-and-milk recipe | The drink’s ingredients and allergens. | I want a ready-mixed drink rather than having to take milk separately. This is said to be the priority for around 10% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid before setting off
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Confusing instant coffee with filter coffee
Instant coffee dissolves in water. The ESE soft pods described by Carte Noire contain ground coffee in a filter and are designed for use with a compatible machine.
If you won’t have access to a machine on the train, check that the product you choose is clearly labelled ‘instant coffee’ and read the preparation instructions.
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Taking a stick without planning for water
Individual portions are easy to carry, but you’ll still need a cup and suitable water to prepare your drink. The required amounts vary between recipes.
Before you set off, check that you’ll have access to hot water and follow the instructions on your product’s packaging.
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Mistaking a coffee-and-milk drink for black coffee
A ready-mixed recipe doesn’t have the same ingredients as a stick containing coffee alone. The Auchan 2-in-1 drink described by the retailer contains milk and lactose, among other ingredients.
For black coffee, check the ingredients list. For a coffee-and-milk drink, check the allergens for the exact product too.
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Overlooking caffeine on a late journey
The Anses says caffeine can delay falling asleep and reduce the length or quality of sleep, although its effects vary from person to person.
If you want to limit your caffeine intake, look for a product explicitly labelled ‘decaffeinated’ rather than relying on the sachet format alone.
Brands to know for these formats
Nescafé
Instant coffee is available in individual sticks, worth considering if you want to make a single serving during your journey.
- Nescafé France states that its Spécial Filtre L’Original comes in a pack of 25 sticks, with 100 ml of simmering water recommended per sachet.
- Instant coffee sticks dissolve in water: this information does not describe a pyramid infusion sachet.
Carte Noire
The brand offers instant coffee sticks, which are different from its ground coffee pods.
- The Carrefour product listing for Carte Noire Classique instant coffee specifies a box of 25 sticks weighing 45 g.
- The ESE soft pods shown by Carte Noire need a compatible machine; they cannot be used like instant coffee sticks.
Carrefour
A supermarket own-brand option for anyone looking for instant coffee in individual portions.
- Carrefour describes its Extra product as 25 sticks of 2 g, containing 100% instant coffee.
- Check the preparation instructions and availability of the product at your local store.
Plantation / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for decaffeinated instant coffee in sticks.
- E.Leclerc describes Plantation freeze-dried decaffeinated instant coffee as 25 sticks, weighing 50 g in total.
- Check with the relevant store or Drive service to see whether this product is available.
Auchan
The retailer offers instant coffee sticks as well as coffee-and-milk drinks; ingredients vary by product.
- Auchan’s 2-in-1 drink instructions specify 150 ml of water at 60 °C.
- This product contains milk, lactose and 9,9 % instant coffee, among other ingredients, so it shouldn’t be treated as a stick containing coffee alone.
Sticks and drinks available on Joybuy
These products are instant coffees or coffee-based drinks in individual portions, suited to a journey where you have access to a cup and hot water. Their names distinguish between black coffee, cappuccino, coffee with milk and a decaffeinated option. They are not pyramid infusion sachets.
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NESCAFÉ Special Filter, 3 × 25 sticks, 50 g
Worth considering if you want to take individual portions of black coffee with you. The pack contains three packs of 25 sticks, weighing 50 g each. Take a cup and check the preparation instructions on the pack you bring.
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NESCAFÉ instant cappuccino, 10 sticks
For anyone who prefers individual portions of a cappuccino-style drink to black coffee. The pack contains 10 sticks; check its ingredients list and preparation instructions before making it during your journey.
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Blendy Stick Powder Café au Lait Bitter, 60 g
Worth considering if you prefer coffee with milk in stick form. The pack is listed as 60 g; check the number of servings, ingredients and recommended amount of water on the packaging.
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AGF Blendy Stick Café au Lait Decaffeinated, 6 sticks
Worth considering if you’re looking for individual portions of decaffeinated coffee with milk. The pack contains 6 sticks; check the ingredients and preparation instructions for this variety before setting off.
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MAXWELL HOUSE Quick Filter Coffee Sticks (M.H.), 45 g
Worth considering if you’d rather take coffee sticks than a pack you need to measure out. The pack is listed as 45 g; check how many sticks it contains and how to prepare them before your journey.
Frequently asked questions
Should you brew instant coffee in a pyramid sachet?
No. Instant coffee is made by dissolving it in water, as explained by Nescafé France. If a product is described as an infusion sachet, read its ingredients and preparation instructions rather than assuming it’s instant coffee.
How much water do you need for a stick during your journey?
It depends on the product. Nescafé France recommends 100 ml of simmering water for Spécial Filtre L’Original, while Auchan recommends 150 ml of water at 60 °C for its 2-in-1 drink. Follow the instructions on the pack you’re taking, and check that you’ll have access to a cup and enough water.
Can you choose any coffee-and-milk stick if you avoid milk?
No. Check the allergens for the exact product before buying. The Auchan 2-in-1 drink described by the retailer contains milk and lactose; the fact that another product is a stick drink doesn’t tell you what’s in it.
Why consider decaffeinated coffee for a late journey?
Decaffeinated coffee may suit you if you want to limit your caffeine intake. The Anses says caffeine can disrupt sleep, although its effects vary from person to person. Check that the product you choose is explicitly labelled ‘decaffeinated’.