Shoppers who want to buy the right amount
If you buy coffee for everyday use, the pack size should match how much you’ll use. Carrefour and E.Leclerc, for example, offer products in 500 g and 1 kg packs.
Who are these criteria for?
People with a bean-to-cup machine
If you make coffee from beans, check that the product is whole bean coffee and is suitable for your equipment. A pyramid tea bag intended for tea or infusions is no substitute for beans to grind.
Shoppers who check packaging and product claims
You can check the pack format, organic or fair trade claims, and packaging information for the specific product. These attributes alone don’t show that its overall environmental impact is lower.
What should you look for?
First, make sure the product suits the way you prepare your coffee. Then choose a quantity that matches how much you drink, and check the claims that matter to you on the specific pack.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and storage | Net weight and storage instructions after opening. | If I don’t drink much coffee, I want to choose a pack I can use up while following the storage instructions. Around 34% of consumers would make choosing a suitable quantity their priority. |
| Claims and packaging | Organic or fair trade claims specific to the product, and information on its packaging. | When I shop, I want to choose based on a clearly stated label or type of packaging, without assuming this proves a lower overall environmental impact. This would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparation and profile | Whether it’s whole bean coffee, the equipment you use and the stated profile, such as origin or intensity. | For my bean-to-cup machine or grinder, I need whole beans first, then a profile that suits the coffee I want to make. Around 33% of consumers would put this at the top of their list. |
Common pitfalls to avoid
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Confusing a pyramid tea bag with whole bean coffee
Papothé presents its pyramid tea bags for tea and infusions. So the term alone won’t help you find beans for a bean-to-cup machine or grinder.
If you plan to grind your coffee, look for the words “whole bean coffee” and check the preparation instructions.
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Choosing a large pack without planning how much you’ll use
You’ll have more coffee left to store after opening a 1 kg pack than a 500 g one. The right weight depends on how much you’ll use and the product’s specific storage instructions.
Before choosing a pack size, check the net weight and storage information on the packaging.
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Assuming a label or packaging tells you the whole story
An organic, fair trade or recyclable claim relates to a specific characteristic. On its own, it doesn’t measure the coffee’s overall environmental impact.
Check the claim on the product you’ve chosen, and consider its packaging and the quantity you’ll use separately.
Whole bean coffee brands to know
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour’s product listing features Tradition whole bean coffee in a 1 kg pack.
- The listing describes the coffee as vacuum-packed with a valve.
- This description of the packaging isn’t an independent assessment of the coffee’s freshness.
E.Leclerc — Plantation / Bio Village
E.Leclerc’s range includes Plantation Tradition and Pur Arabica whole bean coffees, as well as products in 500 g and 1 kg packs.
- The products listed make it easy to compare pack size and type of coffee.
- A feature listed for one product won’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Carte Noire
Carrefour lists Carte Noire Classique whole bean coffee: 100% arabica, intensity 7, in a 1 kg pack.
- The type of beans, intensity and pack weight are specified for this product.
- This information doesn’t tell you whether the coffee also comes in a pyramid tea bag.
Lavazza
Lavazza’s whole bean coffee range includes different profiles for various brewing methods, and product claims vary by item.
- The Lavazza products listed by Carrefour come in several sizes, including 450 g, 500 g and 1 kg.
- Check the profile and weight of the product you choose rather than assuming they apply to the whole brand.
Malongo
Malongo offers single-origin and blended whole bean coffees, with organic or fair trade claims on some products.
- The brand’s range includes 500 g and 1 kg packs.
- Malongo describes some packs as recyclable; this information alone isn’t enough to compare their overall environmental impact.
Whole bean coffee on Joybuy
These whole bean coffees let you compare different pack sizes and profiles for making coffee from beans. Start by choosing based on your equipment and how much you expect to use. If you’re looking for a particular type of packaging, check the product listing.
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LOBODIS Organic whole bean coffee, 500 g
This 500 g pack could suit you if it matches how much coffee you grind and use.
Check the storage instructions for after opening on the packaging.
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Naturela Organic Arabica whole bean coffee
This product is for anyone looking for beans labelled arabica. Check the pack weight and brewing information to make sure it suits your equipment.
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GIMOKA Vellutato Rainforest whole bean coffee, 100% arabica, 1 kg
This 1 kg pack is worth considering if you use beans regularly and can store the pack according to its instructions.
The word “Rainforest” in the name alone doesn’t establish the environmental impact of this product.
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Lavazza Maestro Organic whole bean coffee, 1 kg
The product description recommends this coffee for fully automatic machines. If you use different equipment, check the brewing information before choosing this 1 kg pack.
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Lavazza Oro whole bean coffee, 1 kg
This 1 kg pack could be a good choice if you want to grind beans for your coffee and can use this quantity. Check the storage instructions for after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a pyramid tea bag in a machine that takes whole beans?
A pyramid tea bag intended for tea or infusions can’t replace the beans used in a machine’s grinder. Papothé presents its pyramid tea bags for these drinks. If you make coffee from beans, check that the product is labelled “whole bean coffee”.
How do you choose between a 500 g and a 1 kg pack?
Choose based on how much whole bean coffee you’ll use and the storage instructions for after opening. You’ll have more beans left to store in a 1 kg pack than in a 500 g one. Also check that the stated profile suits your preferences.
What should you check on the pack before and after opening?
Check the net weight, the date shown and the storage instructions for the coffee you’ve chosen. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that, depending on the product, pre-packed foods carry either a use-by date or a best-before date. Follow the instructions on your pack after opening, too.