For an older person’s afternoon tea, choose a strong ground coffee based on the flavour they enjoy and the coffee maker they use. Don’t treat the intensity rating as a measure of caffeine. If they’re sensitive to caffeine or have trouble sleeping, consider decaffeinated coffee. If they have a health condition or take medication that could be affected, ask a healthcare professional for advice.
You’re looking for a pronounced flavour and plenty of body, whether you drink your coffee short, brewed in a filter machine or with milk. The brand’s flavour profile and your brewing method matter more than the word “strong” on its own.
You want to keep up your afternoon coffee ritual while taking your sleep or personal sensitivity into account. Anses notes that caffeine’s effects vary depending on factors such as age, health and medication.
You prefer pre-ground coffee in a pack that suits how much your household drinks. Check the recommended brewing method and make sure you can reseal the pack after opening.
When choosing coffee to serve with afternoon tea, start with the flavour you want, then consider caffeine tolerance and brewing requirements separately. Intensity ratings can help you identify different flavour profiles, but they don’t tell you how much caffeine is in a cup.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Strong flavour | The product’s flavour profile and recommended brewing method: espresso, moka pot or filter, depending on the product. | If I want a pronounced flavour, I look for a profile I enjoy rather than the highest number on two different brands’ scales. Around 42% of consumers rank this strong flavour among their top priorities. |
| Caffeine tolerance | When the coffee will be served, other sources of caffeine consumed and whether decaffeinated coffee might be a good option. | If sleep or a known sensitivity matters more than a strong taste, I take that into account before serving coffee. Around 33% of consumers prioritise their caffeine tolerance. |
| Brewing and storage | Whether it’s compatible with the coffee maker, pack sizes and how the packs can be resealed after opening. | For a household that only makes a few cups, I want a pack that’s easy to use without leaving it open for too long. Convenience is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
The word “strong” or an intensity rating describes a tasting profile; it doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in a brewed cup.
Choose a flavour profile you enjoy, then look for information about the exact product if the caffeine content is important to you.
According to Anses, caffeine can delay falling asleep and affect how long and how well you sleep. Its effects also vary from person to person and depending on their health.
If the person has trouble sleeping or says they’re sensitive to caffeine, consider decaffeinated coffee. If they have a health condition or take medication, ask a healthcare professional for advice.
If your household doesn’t drink much coffee, a pack left open for a long time may not preserve its flavour as well, particularly if it’s exposed to moisture, light or heat.
Choose pack sizes to suit how much coffee you drink, and reseal them carefully after each use.
Lavazza offers ground coffees with a range of flavour profiles, including Momento Vivace, rated 9/10 for intensity in its range.
The Carrefour France listing for Classique ground coffee states that it’s 100% arabica with an intensity rating of 7. Joybuy France also lists this product in a 2 × 250 g pack.
Malongo offers strong ground coffees as well as decaffeinated options, including Déca Aqua and Dolce Décaféiné à l’eau.
These ground coffees give you the chance to explore bold flavours and different pack sizes. If caffeine tolerance is your main concern when serving coffee with afternoon tea, compare them separately with a decaffeinated option.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 250 g pack to enjoy with afternoon tea and want to check the flavour profile before choosing. The product name identifies the Ethiopia variety; check that the brewing method suits your coffee maker.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a coffee called Intenso in a 500 g BIPACK. Check that the pack size suits how much coffee you drink and that the grind is right for your coffee maker. The name Intenso doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in a cup.
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Compare this if you’re looking for a 200 g pack with a stated intensity rating of 9. The rating indicates where the product sits in Lavazza’s range; it doesn’t measure the caffeine in a cup or let you rank other brands.
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Worth considering if two 250 g packs suit your coffee-drinking habits better than one large pack. Check that it’s compatible with your coffee maker; Intenso describes the product, not the amount of caffeine in a cup.
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Worth considering if you’d like to compare another ground coffee in a 250 g pack. Before buying, check which brewing method suits your equipment and whether you’ll enjoy the flavour profile with afternoon tea.
No. These ratings aren’t enough to compare the caffeine content of two ground coffees. They describe a flavour profile and may use scales that are specific to each brand. If caffeine is a key consideration, look for information about the exact product and the cup you’ll be brewing.
It depends on their personal tolerance and circumstances, not just their age. Anses says caffeine can disrupt sleep and that its effects vary depending on factors such as age, health and medication. If a health condition, medication or symptoms are involved, ask a healthcare professional for advice.
Reseal it carefully and keep it away from light, moisture and heat. If your household doesn’t drink much coffee, consider how long each pack will be open when choosing a pack size.