Anyone who wants to identify organic coffee
If you want to make a cup between tasks without relying on a vague ‘natural’ claim, look for certification details on the pack or product listing. INAO highlights the Euroleaf and the AB mark as examples.
Who is this choice for?
Anyone who has a preferred brewing method
Whether you use a filter coffee maker, a cafetière or another method, check the instructions for the exact product before choosing your preferred flavour profile. Lavazza’s range guidance, for example, distinguishes between filter, moka and espresso preparation.
Anyone also looking for Fairtrade coffee
Check organic certification and Fairtrade claims separately: one does not prove the other. Malongo Purs Matins, for example, is listed as organic-certified and carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.
What should you check?
For a cup during your work-from-home lunch break, start by identifying the organic coffee and brewing method that suit you. Then compare packs based on how often you drink coffee and what else matters to you.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Look for the Euroleaf or AB mark on the exact product; INAO identifies them as ways to recognise an organic product. | I want to distinguish certification from wording that simply suggests something is natural. Around 36% of consumers rank this check as their top priority. |
| Coffee maker and flavour | Compare the brewing method recommended for the coffee with your coffee maker, then check the stated roast profile. | If I make my coffee using a coffee maker I already own, I want the product to suit that method and my taste. Compatibility and the taste of the finished cup are priorities for around 29% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the net weight and choose a pack to suit how often you drink coffee. Once opened, keep it sealed and away from light, heat and moisture, as Lavazza recommends. | If I only drink coffee at lunchtime on some days, I prefer a pack I can use without leaving it open for too long. Around 21% of consumers make their usage habits their main criterion. |
| Caffeine | Look for a ‘decaffeinated’ claim or a stated caffeine content on the exact product; don’t assume the caffeine content from the stated intensity. | If I’ve already had other caffeinated drinks that day, I want to choose my cup with my total intake in mind. Caffeine is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Taking ‘natural’ to mean organically certified
Wording on the pack is no substitute for certification details. INAO recommends looking for the Euroleaf and AB mark to identify an organic product.
Check these details on the exact product you’re considering, rather than relying on the range description alone.
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Choosing coffee without checking your coffee maker
A brand may offer several ground coffees intended for different brewing methods. The stated intensity alone doesn’t confirm that a coffee is suitable for your appliance.
Check the recommended brewing method and flavour profile on the pack or product listing for the specific coffee.
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Buying a large pack without considering how to store it
If you only make coffee on some of your work-from-home days, an opened pack could be in use for a long time.
Choose a weight that suits how much you drink, and store the coffee in a sealed container away from light, heat and moisture, following Lavazza’s advice.
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Confusing intensity with caffeine content
The intensity number describes the flavour profile; it doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in your prepared cup.
If caffeine is a factor in your choice, look for a ‘decaffeinated’ claim or a stated caffeine content for the exact product.
Brands to compare
Malongo
The brand offers Purs Matins ground coffee in a 250 g tin, intended for filter brewing.
- Malongo’s Purs Matins listing states that it is Ecocert FR-BIO-01 certified organic and carries the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.
- Descriptions of its flavour and digestibility come from the brand and are not independent comparisons.
Carrefour Bio
The range includes organic ground coffees in 250 g packs, including the Équilibré variety.
- The Carrefour Bio Équilibré listing describes it as 100% organic arabica ground coffee.
- Check the profile of the product you choose: being part of an organic range doesn’t tell you what it tastes like.
Carte Noire
A 100% organic arabica ground coffee is available in a pack of 2 × 250 g, with a stated intensity of 5.
- The Carrefour listing for this product identifies it as organic in its ingredients list.
- The stated intensity doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains.
E.Leclerc / Bio Village
The Bio Village range includes 250 g packs of organic and Fairtrade pure arabica ground coffee from Ethiopia.
- E.Leclerc’s product description makes it easy to spot both the organic and Fairtrade claims for this product.
- Check the pack you choose for the brewing instructions and flavour profile you’re looking for.
Lavazza
Lavazza France’s ground coffee range distinguishes between blends for filter, moka and espresso preparation.
- Its brewing guidance makes it easier to compare methods before choosing a product.
- If you’re looking for organic coffee, check the certification details on the specific Lavazza coffee you’re interested in.
Jacobs
The Maître Torréfaction coffee listing describes a ground coffee intended for filter brewing and French press preparation, among other methods.
- This listing states that the product has a dark roast and an intensity of 9/10.
- Only choose it as an organic option if the pack or product listing shows the relevant certification details.
Organic ground coffee on Joybuy
This pre-ground coffee is for anyone who wants to check the organic certification before choosing a coffee for their lunch break. If you use a particular type of coffee maker, check the brewing instructions too.
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NATURELA 100% arabica organic ground coffee, 250 g
If you want to make a cup with pre-ground coffee, this 250 g product lets you look for a clearly identifiable organic certification. The Joybuy listing states that it is EU organic-certified under code FR-BIO-01.
If your choice depends on the brewing method, roast profile or caffeine content, check the product details before buying.
Frequently asked questions
How can you identify organic ground coffee?
Look for certification details on the specific product: INAO highlights the Euroleaf and the AB mark as ways to identify an organic product. A reference to nature in the name or on the packaging isn’t enough to establish that it is certified.
Is organic coffee always Fairtrade?
No. Check separately for a Fairtrade claim on the product you’re interested in. Malongo Purs Matins, for example, is listed as both organic-certified and carrying the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar label.
How should you store ground coffee after opening?
Keep it in an opaque, airtight container away from light, heat and moisture, as Lavazza recommends. If you only make coffee occasionally, consider how long the pack will remain open when choosing its size.
Does the stated intensity tell you the caffeine content?
No, the stated intensity doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in your cup. If this matters to you, look for a product labelled ‘decaffeinated’ or one that gives clear information about its caffeine content.