People who make coffee without a machine
You want to keep instant coffee in the cupboard and make a cup with hot water, without having to get a coffee maker ready. The container also matters if you open the jar regularly.
Who are these formats for?
Households and offices organising their supplies
You’re comparing pack sizes, the stated number of cups and the recommended serving size to decide between one large jar and several smaller jars to open one at a time.
People looking for espresso brewed using a machine
For you, “espresso” means coffee made with a machine. Beans, capsules or pods suited to your equipment will meet this need, unlike instant coffee dissolved in water.
What should you compare?
Jar of instant coffee
Consider this: if you regularly make coffee with hot water and don’t use a machine.
Bear in mind: this preparation method doesn’t make espresso brewed using a machine.
Multipack of small jars of instant coffee
Consider this: if you want to divide your supply between several containers; the illy Classico multipack contains six 95 g jars.
Bear in mind: its total of 570 g isn’t in one large jar.
Coffee for a machine
Consider this: if espresso made using a machine is your priority and you have the right equipment.
Bear in mind: beans, capsules and pods each need the right preparation system; they aren’t made in the same way as instant coffee.
Once you’ve chosen how you’ll make your coffee, compare how much you’ll actually use, the preparation instructions and whether you’d like to include a decaffeinated option in your supply.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How long your supply will last | Net weight, stated number of cups and recommended serving size; distinguish between one large jar and a multipack of smaller jars. | If I’m stocking up on coffee for regular use, I want to know how many cups the container can make before I need to replace it. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Making coffee without a machine | Preparation instructions and stated amount of water; check that it’s instant coffee rather than another type of coffee. | If there’s no coffee maker in the room, I want to make a cup easily with hot water. For around 29% of consumers, convenience is the top priority. |
| Espresso brewed using a machine | Work out whether you’re looking for coffee brewed using a machine, then check which format your equipment takes. | If I want to use my machine to make espresso, stocking up on instant coffee won’t meet my needs. For around 21% of consumers, this preparation method comes ahead of other criteria. |
| Decaffeinated option | Look for the “decaffeinated” label, check the pack size and preparation method, and don’t assume the caffeine content from the stated intensity. | If I’m stocking up for several people, I want to be able to offer decaffeinated coffee too, even if that means choosing a different container. Around 14% of consumers make this a priority. |
The number of cups depends on the product and the recommended serving size. For example, Auchan lists around 100 cups for its 200 g instant coffee, while Maxwell House Qualité Filtre lists around 110 cups for its 200 g jar. These figures alone don’t tell you how many cups you’ll make using your usual serving size.
Mistakes to avoid when stocking up
-
Confusing instant coffee with espresso brewed using a machine
Instant coffee dissolves in hot water; buying more jars doesn’t change how it’s made.
Decide whether you’re mainly looking for a cup of coffee without a machine or espresso made using brewing equipment, then choose the right format.
-
Comparing jars without checking the serving size
Two 200 g products may list different numbers of cups. For example, Auchan lists around 100 cups, while Maxwell House Qualité Filtre lists around 110 on its product page.
Compare the net weight and stated number of cups with the serving instructions. If you use more coffee per cup, your jar will run out sooner than the product listing suggests.
-
Opening a large supply without planning how to store it
Opening one large jar doesn’t expose the whole supply in the same way as opening several small jars.
Choose the packaging to suit how quickly you use your coffee, close the containers properly and follow the storage instructions on each pack.
-
Assuming a mild intensity means the coffee is decaffeinated
Stated intensity and caffeine content are two different things.
If decaffeinated coffee is essential to your supply, look for that wording on the product and clearly distinguish the containers once they’re stored.
Brands and ranges to know
illy
illy’s Classico instant coffee multipack contains six 95 g jars, giving you 570 g to divide up for your supply.
- Having separate jars means you can open your supply in stages.
- Each jar contains 95 g, so this multipack won’t suit you if you’re looking for one large jar.
Auchan
Auchan’s 200 g instant coffee lists around 100 cups and has an intensity rating of 6/10.
- The product information recommends one to two teaspoons per cup, added to hot water that isn’t boiling.
- The actual number of cups you make depends on how much coffee you use each time.
E.Leclerc / ECO+
E.Leclerc’s ECO+ product is a 200 g jar of freeze-dried instant coffee.
- Its 200 g pack size makes it easy to compare with other jars of instant coffee.
- Contact your local E.Leclerc store for information about how to buy this product.
Lavazza
Lavazza offers professional coffee beans in packs of one kilo or more, for automatic machines with a grinder.
- This range is for stocking up on beans if you have suitable equipment.
- Beans won’t meet your needs if you’re looking for instant coffee to make without a machine.
Carte Noire
Carte Noire offers coffee beans, ground coffee, capsules compatible with Nespresso® Original and soft coffee pods.
- These formats let you choose coffee to suit the system you already use.
- Check that the capsules or pods are compatible with your machine before ordering several packs.
Joybuy products by preparation method
These products are suited to two different uses: Maxwell House jars for making instant coffee with hot water, and KIMBO beans for people with the right equipment to make espresso. Choose your preparation method first, then compare pack sizes.
Image unavailable
Maxwell House Qualité Filtre 200 g, pack of 2
Divide your supply of instant coffee between two jars, ready to make without a machine. The pack contains 400 g in total and lists around 220 cups; compare this figure with your usual serving size.
Image unavailable
Maxwell House Qualité Filtre 200 g
If you’d rather keep one jar of instant coffee to make with hot water, this is for you. The product information lists around 110 cups per 200 g; check the serving instructions on the pack to plan your supply.
Image unavailable
KIMBO Barista Espresso Napoli, beans, 1 kg
Stock up on beans rather than instant coffee. This 1 kg pack has an intensity rating of 10/13; check that your grinder and machine are suitable for the coffee you want to make.
Image unavailable
KIMBO Espresso Crema Intensa, beans, 1 kg
Buy beans in a larger quantity if you make coffee using suitable equipment. The pack contains 1 kg and has an intensity rating of 11/13; it isn’t made by simply dissolving it in water.
Image unavailable
KIMBO Intenso, beans, 1 kg
Stock up on beans to use with the right equipment. This 1 kg pack has an intensity rating of 12/13; check what your grinder and machine require before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make espresso using instant coffee?
No. Instant coffee dissolves in hot water, while espresso brewed using a machine requires the right equipment. If you’re looking for coffee brewed this way, choose beans, capsules or pods that are compatible with your machine.
How can you compare the number of cups listed for two jars?
Compare their net weight and, above all, the recommended serving size before looking at the number of cups. For 200 g, Auchan lists around 100 cups for its product, while the Maxwell House Qualité Filtre product information lists around 110. Your own serving size may change how many cups you get.
How should you store jars of instant coffee after opening?
Close the jars and follow the instructions on each pack. Auchan and Maxwell House, for example, advise keeping their products away from moisture. The Ministry of the Economy recommends following the manufacturer’s guidance on storage conditions and how long to keep products after opening.
What should you check on the label before ordering several jars?
Check the product name, ingredients, net quantity, nutritional information and any storage instructions relevant to your purchase. If you want decaffeinated coffee or a particular preparation method, check the label and ingredients for the product you’ve chosen rather than relying on its name or intensity rating alone.