Busy mornings away from home
If you make a cup at work or on the go and don’t want to measure out the powder, an instant coffee stick gives you an individual portion. Check how much water is recommended for the product you choose.
Which format is right for you?
Your daily coffee at home
If you make instant coffee every morning, a jar lets you adjust the amount of powder to suit your cup. Choose a jar size that matches how often you use it, and close it again after use.
In the mood for filter coffee
If you’re interested in the brewing process, check what kind of coffee is inside the bag. The TREVI pyramid tea bag example contains ground coffee in a filter, rather than instant coffee powder to dissolve.
What should you look for in the morning?
First choose between coffee that dissolves and coffee that needs brewing, then decide whether you want an individual portion or a jar you can measure from yourself. The word “bag” alone doesn’t tell you how to prepare it.
Instant coffee in a jar
Choose this if: you regularly make coffee at home and want to adjust the amount of powder in each cup.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure each portion and keep the jar tightly closed and away from moisture.
Instant coffee sticks
Choose this if: you want to pour an individual portion into your cup, particularly when you’re away from home.
Bear in mind: the portion is pre-measured and individually wrapped; some sticks contain coffee drinks with milk rather than black coffee.
Pyramid tea bag coffee
Consider this if: you’re looking for ground coffee in an infuser filter, like the format described by TREVI.
Bear in mind: this coffee needs to brew; it isn’t prepared like instant coffee powder stirred into water.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-pour portion | The number of sticks and the amount of water recommended per cup; look for “instant coffee” if you want black coffee. | I want to make a cup without measuring the powder before I leave. Around 30% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
| Ingredients and taste | The ingredients list and, where specified, the arabica and robusta blend used in the product. | The taste of my coffee matters more than the packaging. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Quantity and how often you drink it | The jar’s net weight or the number of portions, and the storage instructions after opening. | I make coffee every morning and want a jar that suits my routine. Around 20% of consumers would put this need ahead of other considerations. |
| Decaffeinated option | Look for “decaffeinated” on the product; a description such as “mild” isn’t enough. | I want to clearly identify a decaffeinated option for my morning cup. Around 20% of consumers would make this a priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a pyramid tea bag contains instant coffee
In the format described by TREVI, the bag contains ground coffee in a filter. It needs to be brewed, whereas instant coffee is designed to dissolve in water.
If you want an instant drink, look for the term “instant coffee” and read the instructions before choosing a bagged product.
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Assuming all sticks contain black coffee
Individual packaging can also contain a drink with milk or flavourings. The portion size alone doesn’t tell you what’s in the drink.
For black instant coffee, check the product description and ingredients list rather than relying on the format.
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Judging caffeine content by taste
A flavour description such as “mild” doesn’t mean “decaffeinated”. ANSES also notes that caffeine can affect sleep, with the effects varying from person to person.
If choosing a decaffeinated version matters to you, look for that specific wording on the packaging.
Instant coffee brands to know
NESCAFÉ
The range includes instant coffee in jars and sticks. NESCAFÉ France lists Spécial Filtre L’Original in a box of 25 sticks.
- For this product, NESCAFÉ France recommends one stick with 100 ml of just-boiled water and states that it contains an arabica and robusta blend.
- Check the exact product: a flavoured or milky drink doesn’t have the same ingredients as black instant coffee.
Carte Noire
The brand offers instant coffee in sticks and jars in the ranges listed by the retailers consulted.
- Auchan states that its Café soluble classique in a box of 80 sticks contains an arabica and robusta blend, and recommends one stick per 100 ml of just-boiled water.
- These details apply to this product; follow the packaging if you choose a different format.
L’OR
The instant coffee product listed by Auchan comes in a box of 25 sticks, with a net weight of 45 g.
- The product listing gives “coffee” as an ingredient and recommends preparing each stick with around 100 ml of just-boiled water.
- The ingredients in this box shouldn’t be assumed to apply to every L’OR product.
Carrefour Extra / Carrefour Bio
Carrefour’s range includes Carrefour Extra instant coffee in several jar sizes, as well as Carrefour Bio products.
- The Carrefour Extra sizes listed include 50 g, 100 g and 200 g, giving you a choice to suit how you use it.
- Check the ingredients and format of the product you choose: the range name doesn’t replace the information on the packaging.
PLANTATION / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
The range listed by E.Leclerc includes freeze-dried instant coffee in sticks and jars.
- Listed formats include 25 sticks weighing 50 g in total, as well as 100 g and 200 g jars; a decaffeinated stick product is also listed.
- Read the description on each pack to distinguish regular and decaffeinated coffee.
Coffee and instant drinks on Joybuy
These products include decaffeinated instant coffee in a jar and instant drinks in individual portions. Drinks with milk aren’t a substitute for black instant coffee; none of these products is described as a pyramid filter bag for brewing.
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NESCAFÉ Decaf Filter Coffee 100 g
Worth considering if you want to measure out your own decaffeinated instant coffee in the morning.
100 g jar. Follow the product instructions for the amount of powder and water per cup.
If the residual caffeine content matters to you, check the labelling.
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Trung Nguyen Legend Cafe Sua Da, 9 × 25 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for an instant drink in individual sachets rather than black instant coffee.
Nine 25 g sachets. This drink mix contains milk and sugar; check the ingredients and water measurements on the packaging.
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AGF Blendy stick Melting Milk Cafe au Lait, 8 sticks
Worth considering if you’d like an individual portion of instant café au lait.
Box of 8 sticks. The drink mix contains dairy ingredients, sugar and sweeteners: check the ingredients list and preparation instructions.
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KOPIKO Blanca creamy coffee mix powder, 10 × 20 g
Worth considering if you prefer a creamy instant drink in individual portions to black coffee.
Ten 20 g sachets. The mix contains sugar and milk, among other ingredients; check the labelling if ingredients or allergens are important to you.
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AGF Blendy stick Cafe au Lait Decaffeinated, 6 sticks
Worth considering if you’re looking for individual portions of instant café au lait described as decaffeinated.
Box of 6 sticks. This isn’t black coffee: check the ingredients list, especially if you need to check for milk. Follow the packaging for preparation and any details about caffeine.
Frequently asked questions
Does a pyramid tea bag contain instant coffee?
Not in the format described by TREVI: it contains ground coffee in a pyramid-shaped filter and is prepared by brewing. If you want powder that dissolves, look for the term “instant coffee” and check the product instructions.
How much water should I use with an instant coffee stick?
It depends on the product. NESCAFÉ France recommends 100 ml of just-boiled water for one Spécial Filtre stick, and Auchan’s product listings for Carte Noire Classique and L’OR sticks also mention around 100 ml. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy rather than assuming this amount applies to every stick.
How can I tell if coffee is decaffeinated?
Look for the word “decaffeinated” in the product description or on the packaging. Coffee described as mild isn’t necessarily decaffeinated; if you need to know its caffeine content, check the information for that specific product.