For a small cup with a bold flavour, look for instant coffee described as strong or intense, then follow the recommended water volume for the product you choose. Flavour intensity alone does not tell you how much caffeine it contains. Sticks make it easy to control portions, while a jar lets you measure out each cup. Before placing a click-and-collect order, check that your chosen store stocks the product.
You’re looking for a small cup with pronounced aromas rather than a long, mild coffee. As Carte Noire explains, intensity describes the aromatic character of a coffee; it doesn’t, by itself, indicate how much caffeine it contains.
You want to add a strong coffee to your basket, or find an alternative if your chosen store doesn’t stock it. The range varies by retailer and collection point.
You want to make a cup without measuring coffee by the spoonful, or take a few portions with you. The 45 g box of NESCAFÉ Espresso Intenso contains 25 sticks; Auchan recommends 60 ml of steaming water per stick for this product.
For a click-and-collect order, start with the flavour you’re looking for. Then check the product at your chosen store and pick a format you’ll enjoy using every day.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Strong flavour | Look for a clear description of the aromas or an intensity rating from the brand. The same number isn’t necessarily comparable across different brands. | If I want a small cup with a bold character, I choose by flavour first rather than by any assumed stimulating effect; around 40% of shoppers prioritise this aromatic profile. |
| Click-and-collect availability | Select your store and collection option, then check that you can add the product to your basket. | When I’m planning my shopping, I want to be able to order a suitable product, even if that means switching brands; availability is the main priority for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Format and preparation | Compare sticks with jars, then check the recommended amount and water volume for the product you choose. | For the occasional cup, I prefer pre-measured portions; if I make coffee regularly, I may prefer measuring it out from a jar. Around 30% of shoppers put ease of use first. |
Carte Noire describes intensity as an indication of aromatic richness. It doesn’t tell you how much caffeine is in a cup.
Choose products labelled ‘intense’ or ‘strong’ for their flavour profile, not as a measure of caffeine content.
A product listed in a retailer’s catalogue may not be available at the collection point you select.
Choose your store and check your basket, then keep another option in mind with a description that matches the flavour you’re after.
Using more water than recommended will change the flavour of your cup.
For NESCAFÉ Espresso Intenso sticks, Auchan recommends one stick with 60 ml of steaming water. Follow the instructions for any other product you choose.
The name doesn’t always tell you whether you’re buying black instant coffee, a coffee-and-milk drink or the format you want.
Before adding it to your basket, check the exact product listing for its name, ingredients, net quantity and flavour description.
The range includes Espresso Intenso, which NESCAFÉ describes as an instant coffee with rich, intense aromas.
The retailer offers several instant coffees for click and collect, including Classico, intensity 8, in a 200 g jar.
The range includes own-brand and national-brand instant coffees, in jars or sticks depending on the product.
E.Leclerc offers Plantation instant coffees, including 100 g and 200 g jars.
Carrefour lists Carte Noire Classique instant coffee, among other products.
Jacobs has a French version of its website.
These products include one black instant coffee and two instant coffee-and-milk drinks. If you’re looking for a strong cup of black coffee, make sure you distinguish between these categories before choosing. For click and collect, check separately which options your store offers.
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Worth considering if you’d like to make black instant coffee rather than a coffee-and-milk drink. Check the recommended amount and water volume on the packaging to make the cup you want.
Format: 30 g.
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Worth considering if you prefer an individual coffee-and-milk drink with a pronounced coffee flavour. It isn’t a substitute for black instant coffee, so check the ingredients and preparation instructions if the recipe or dosage matters to you.
Format: 60 g.
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Worth considering for individual portions of coffee and milk. The word ‘Espresso’ doesn’t necessarily mean it has an extra-strong flavour, so check the recipe and recommended water volume if these factors are important to you.
Format: 8 pieces.
No. According to Carte Noire, intensity describes the concentration and richness of the aromas, not the stimulating effect of a cup. So don’t use the intensity rating or the word ‘strong’ alone to judge how much caffeine it contains.
Auchan recommends stirring one stick into a small cup with 60 ml of steaming water. This instruction applies to NESCAFÉ Espresso Intenso; follow the packaging instructions for other products.
The range depends on the store and collection option you select. Choose your collection point, then check that the product can be added to your basket before planning your shopping around it.
To compare products, start with the product name, ingredients list and net quantity. Also check the nutritional information if it’s shown on the listing or packaging. This can help you tell the difference between black instant coffee and a coffee-and-milk drink.