For your first shop, choose a product clearly labelled ‘instant coffee’ and check its organic labelling, particularly the Euro-leaf logo and ingredients list. Then compare jars by size, stated ingredients, strength or, if it matters to you, a fair trade certification. Instant coffee is made with hot water, so you don’t need a coffee machine.
You want to identify organic coffee from its packaging, rather than relying on how it is presented. According to Agence Bio, the Euro-leaf logo identifies products that meet the European regulation on organic farming.
You’re looking for a coffee you can make at breakfast with a mug and hot water. Instant coffee dissolves in hot water, but be sure to check the recommended amount for the product you choose.
You want to compare jars based on claims such as 100% Arabica, stated strength or fair trade certification. These details relate to different criteria and don’t, on their own, guarantee that you’ll enjoy the taste.
For a machine-free breakfast, first make sure you’re buying organic instant coffee, then focus on the feature that matters most to you for your first shop.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Organic labelling | Look for the Euro-leaf logo and read the ingredients list to tell pure coffee apart from a blend. | I want to identify whether a product is organic before comparing jars; around 33% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
| Machine-free preparation | Check that it says ‘instant coffee’, then look at the recommended amount. | At breakfast, I want to make coffee with hot water and a mug; nearly 27% of shoppers would prioritise this convenience above all else. |
| Ingredients and stated flavour | Compare Arabica claims, strength and tasting notes, where these are shown on the product. | I prefer to choose based on the ingredients and stated flavour profile, without assuming that everyone will enjoy Arabica; around 20% of shoppers would put this criterion first. |
| Size and availability | Check the net weight and make sure the product is available in your shop or at your collection point. | For my first shop, I’m looking for a size that suits me and is available locally; around 20% of shoppers would prioritise these practical considerations. |
Organic coffee can be sold as whole beans, ground coffee, capsules or pods. These formats aren’t made like instant coffee, which simply needs hot water.
Look for the words ‘instant coffee’, then check the organic labelling.
An organic breakfast product may also be a blend of coffee and chicory. Auchan, for example, lists a Naturela product containing 60% soluble chicory and 40% instant coffee.
If you want coffee on its own, check that the ingredients list matches what you’re looking for.
NESCAFÉ describes its Spécial Filtre BIO as organic 100% Arabica instant coffee in a 90 g jar.
Carrefour lists two organic instant coffees in 100 g jars: one 100% Arabica and one Espresso.
Auchan describes a 100 g jar of freeze-dried organic 100% Arabica instant coffee, with a stated strength of 6/10.
Auchan’s listing describes Alter Eco’s Colombian instant coffee as pure organic Arabica certified Fairtrade/Max Havelaar.
Carte Noire offers an organic range that includes coffee in several formats.
This selection features a 100 g pack of organic instant coffee, ideal for your first shop and for making coffee without a machine. If the organic logo and exact ingredients matter to you, check the packaging label.
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Make instant coffee with hot water, no coffee machine needed.
Size: 100 g. If you’re looking for coffee on its own, check the ingredients list and organic labelling on the packaging.
Check that the product is labelled ‘instant coffee’, then look at the organic labelling and ingredients. According to Agence Bio, the Euro-leaf logo identifies products displaying the European organic farming logo. The ingredients list helps you tell pure coffee apart from a blend.
No. Just add hot water; there’s no need for a coffee machine. Follow the recommended amount on the product you buy, as it can vary from one product to another.
No. It tells you which coffee has been used, not whether everyone will enjoy the flavour. When choosing between two products, also look at the stated strength and tasting notes, bearing in mind that these descriptions can’t replace your own taste preferences.
No, it may be a blend. For example, Auchan’s listing for an organic Naturela drink mix gives the ingredients as 60% soluble chicory and 40% instant coffee. Check the ingredients if you want to buy coffee on its own.