When shopping, choose a strong espresso by first checking the ingredients for the exact product, then its format and whether it works with your machine. An intensity rating describes the flavour profile; on its own, it tells you nothing about sugars, caffeine or any effect on blood glucose.
You’re looking for a straightforward coffee for your shop and want to check the ingredients before considering its intensity. The product information for illy Espresso Intenso ground coffee and Carte Noire Espresso Intense No. 9 lists “100% Arabica coffee” and “Ground coffee” respectively for these specific products.
Flavour is your priority, but you choose between beans, ground coffee, capsules or pods to suit your equipment. Lavazza, illy and Auchan use different intensity scales, so their ratings aren’t directly comparable.
You want to order coffee that works with your machine without mixing up capsules and pods. If you’re collecting or having your order delivered, also check that the specific product is available from your chosen store.
When buying strong espresso as part of a diabetes-conscious shop, consider three separate questions: what’s in the product you’ve chosen, what flavour are you looking for, and what format does your machine take?
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Check the product name and ingredients on the exact pack; “intense” doesn’t describe what it contains. | For my diabetes-conscious shop, I want to know what’s in the coffee before choosing its flavour strength. Around 42% of consumers would put ingredients among their top criteria. |
| Strong flavour | Look at the flavour profile given within the same range, rather than directly comparing different intensity scales. | I’m mainly looking for a bold-tasting cup, but I don’t treat the intensity rating as a measure of caffeine. Taste would come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Format and shopping | Check which system your machine uses, then confirm the product is available for your chosen way of shopping. | I want to use the coffee I buy with my machine, without confusing capsules and pods. Compatibility and convenience would be priorities for around 25% of consumers. |
A tasting term is no substitute for the ingredients list. The ingredients in a straightforward coffee shouldn’t be assumed to apply to another preparation, especially a flavoured or milky one.
Check the product name and ingredients for every product you’re considering.
E.S.E. pods, Senseo pods and capsules labelled as compatible with Nespresso Original are designed for different systems.
Check the exact name of your machine’s system and compare it with the one shown on the pack.
An incompatible format leaves you with a pack you can’t use in the machine you had in mind.
For the products mentioned, Lavazza, illy and Auchan give intensity ratings of 9/10, 7/9 and 10/12 respectively. These flavour scales don’t tell you how much caffeine is in each cup.
If caffeine content matters to you, look for information per serving from the manufacturer and remember to include other drinks containing caffeine.
For bean-to-cup machines, Lavazza describes Espresso Barista Intenso as whole-bean coffee for espresso.
illy offers Espresso Intenso as ground coffee and E.S.E. pods, so your choice depends on the machine you use.
The products mentioned include Espresso Intense No. 9 capsules labelled as compatible with Nespresso and Espresso No. 8 Senseo pods.
The retailer’s range includes Carrefour Selection Espresso intensity 8 capsules compatible with Nespresso, as well as Carrefour Sensation Intense pods.
The retailer stocks products including Lavazza Espresso Barista Perfetto whole beans.
Auchan offers Espresso Intense capsules labelled as compatible with Nespresso.
These options include capsules for different systems, whole beans and ground coffee. First, choose a format that works with your equipment, then check the ingredients for the product you’ve selected. For ground coffee, also make sure the grind is suitable for your espresso preparation.
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Worth considering if you use the Dolce Gusto system; check that it’s compatible with your machine.
Pack of 16 capsules, 112 g. If you’re looking for coffee made with coffee alone, check the ingredients on this pack.
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If your machine takes these capsules, check the exact system shown on your appliance before ordering.
Pack of 50 capsules, 275 g. Check the ingredients if composition is your main priority.
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If your machine takes this format, check the exact system and the ingredients on the pack.
Pack of 100 capsules, 540 g; the 10/13 intensity rating is a guide to flavour, not a measure of caffeine.
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Choose this if you have a grinder or bean-to-cup machine for making espresso.
1 kg bag. Lavazza describes Espresso Barista Intenso as an intense coffee; check the ingredients on the pack you buy.
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If you prefer ground coffee, check that the grind is suitable for your machine and the way you make espresso.
500 g BIPACK. Check the ingredients on the pack to make sure it has the composition you’re looking for.
No. The stated intensity describes the flavour, not the sugar content or any effect on blood glucose. When shopping, read the ingredients for the exact product and distinguish straightforward coffee from flavoured, milky or sweetened preparations.
Compare the format shown on the pack with the exact system used by your machine. Whole beans need a grinder, while E.S.E. pods, Senseo pods and capsules compatible with Nespresso Original aren’t interchangeable. For ground coffee, also check the grind your machine requires.
The intensity rating can’t tell you how much caffeine a coffee contains. Lavazza, illy and Auchan use different scales for the products mentioned; if caffeine content matters to your choice, look for information per serving from the manufacturer.
Consider the caffeine from all your drinks, not just the intensity rating of each espresso. If you need to limit your intake for personal or medical reasons, seek advice that’s appropriate for your circumstances rather than trying to work out the caffeine content from the coffee’s taste.