Buying coffee: how to choose the right type for every occasion

Buying coffee online seems straightforward, but the wide choice can make it difficult to compare products. Are you looking for instant coffee for busy mornings, coffee capsules for a latte or filter coffee to make several cups at once? The packaging doesn’t always tell the whole story.

Look out for these three common pitfalls:

• Marketing language without clear product specifications: terms such as “premium”, “rich” or “café quality” don’t tell you much without information about the ingredients, roast, contents and preparation method.
• Hidden sugar and milk ingredients: a coffee product may be described as creamy or smooth, even though sugar, milk powder or creamer makes up a large part of its ingredients.
• The wrong format for how you use it: individual sticks are handy for on the go, but a jar is often more practical for everyday use at home. Capsules are only suitable if your coffee machine supports the right system.

Which coffee suits your preparation method?

The right choice starts with how you want to make your coffee.

Instant coffee for speed

Instant coffee dissolves in hot water and doesn’t require a machine. Check the weight per pack, the number of servings and the ingredients. According to the product information, Nescafé Gold Instant Coffee 200 g is made from instant coffee and contains none of the 14 major EU allergens. You can easily adjust how you make it by adding more or less powder.

A pack of individual servings, such as Nescafé Gold 25 pieces of 1.8 g, is handy for the office, travelling or a household where people don’t all drink coffee as often.

Coffee capsules for consistent portions

Coffee capsules offer a measured dose and a quick preparation time. Always check that the capsules are compatible with your machine before buying. According to the product description, Nescafé Hazelnut Macchiato Coffee Capsules are designed for a Nescafé Dolce Gusto machine.

For flavoured capsules, check the nutritional information too. According to the label, this product contains 38.3% sugar and 59.7% whole milk powder, among other ingredients. That makes it a different choice from black espresso or sugar-free coffee.

Filter coffee for several cups

Filter coffee is practical for households and offices where several cups are made one after another. Check that the grind is suitable for your machine. According to the product information, Douwe Egberts Aroma Rood is supplied as roasted ground coffee and is suitable for a filter coffee machine, French press, AeroPress, percolator and Chemex, among other methods.

The 500 g pack makes particular sense if you drink coffee regularly. Store ground coffee in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, and follow the instructions on the packaging.

Coffee concentrate and iced coffee

Coffee concentrate is useful for making a quick Americano, latte or iced coffee. According to the product information, Yongpu concentrated coffee liquid can be mixed with water or milk. The ingredients list includes water, 100% Arabica coffee beans and some acidity regulators. The product is described as sugar-free black coffee, but check the current packaging each time you buy it.

Ready-to-drink options such as OD Gourmet Ice Coffee Vanilla are handy when you’re on the go. According to the product information, this drink contains 42 mg of caffeine per 100 ml and 6.6 g of sugars per 100 ml. So “coffee” doesn’t automatically mean a drink is sugar-free.

Three specifications to always check

1. Ingredients and allergens

Don’t just look at the front of the packaging. Check the full ingredients list for:

• sugar, glucose or glucose syrup;
• milk powder, milk protein or creamer;
• palm or other vegetable fats;
• flavourings and sweeteners;
• possible allergens or traces of allergens.

A 3-in-1 coffee usually combines coffee, sugar and creamer. According to the product information, Nescafé 3-in-1 Smooth & Rich contains 53% sugar and 7.6% instant coffee. It’s a good fit if you want a sweet, creamy drink, but less suitable if you’re looking for coffee without sugar.

2. Coffee type, roast and flavour profile

Arabica coffee is often associated with a milder or more aromatic flavour, while Robusta is generally used for a stronger profile. This doesn’t guarantee a particular taste: the roast, grind, preparation method and added ingredients all make a difference too.

So look for information you can check, such as:

• 100% Arabica or a blend;
• light, medium or dark roast;
• ground coffee, instant coffee or extract;
• the amount of coffee per serving;
• the recommended amount of water.

The grind is important for Turkish coffee. According to the product information, Kurukahveci Türk Kahvesi is made from 100% Arabica coffee and finely ground for traditional preparation. Don’t use a standard filter method to make it.

3. Serving size and storage method

Don’t compare prices by the box alone. Work out the price per serving too. Ten sticks may seem like good value, but could cost more per cup than a 200 g jar. On the other hand, a large pack may not be suitable if you don’t drink much coffee.

Also check:

• the number of capsules or sticks;
• the weight in grams per serving;
• the use-by date;
• storage instructions after opening;
• whether the product needs to be refrigerated.

Natural settling can occur in liquid concentrate. According to the product information, this doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, but it’s still important to shake or stir well and follow the instructions on the packaging.

Our recommendations for different coffee drinkers

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Nescafe Gold Instant Coffee - 200g

Why it suits this profile: A 200 g jar is practical for everyday use at home and doesn’t require a coffee machine. According to the product information, it is made from instant coffee.

How this product avoids the pitfall

According to the product information, the ingredients list is straightforward and contains no sugar, milk or creamer.

Key benefit & highlights

200 g pack, dissolves quickly and is suitable for an allergen-free recipe according to the product information provided.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality

Nescafe Hazelnut Macchiato Coffee Capsules - 6 pcs

Why it suits this profile: A good choice if you want to make a milky coffee speciality with a hint of hazelnut using a compatible Dolce Gusto machine.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information clearly lists machine compatibility, ingredients and nutritional values.

Key benefit & highlights

Six capsules, 100% Arabica according to the product description, and a consistent preparation method.

Suitable for: Specific uses & frequent coffee drinkers

Douwe Egberts Aroma Red Filter Coffee - 500 g

Why it suits this profile: The large pack and wide range of preparation options make it a good fit for households or offices where several cups are made regularly.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Instead of relying on a flavour description alone, the product information specifies the grind, roast and suitable brewing methods.

Key benefit & highlights

500 g ground coffee, medium roast and suitable for filter, French press, AeroPress, percolator and Chemex according to the product information.

Suitable for: Sugar-free coffee and cold drinks

Yongpu concentrated coffee liquid, sugar-free black coffee

Why it suits this profile: Handy if you want to decide how much water or milk to add and make both hot coffee and iced coffee.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information explicitly states that it contains no sugar or fat. Always check the current packaging to confirm.

Key benefit & highlights

126 g liquid concentrate, 100% Arabica according to the product information, and suitable for mixing with water or milk, hot or cold.

Frequently asked questions about coffee

Which coffee is handy for the office?

Instant coffee, coffee sticks and 3-in-1 coffee are practical when there isn’t a fully automatic machine available. Filter coffee may be more economical when you’re making coffee for several colleagues. Compare the number of servings and the amount of sugar per prepared cup.

How should I store coffee after opening?

Follow the instructions on the label and store coffee in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Seal the jar or bag tightly. Liquid coffee products may have additional instructions, such as keeping them refrigerated after opening.

Which coffee is suitable if I want to limit my sugar intake?

Choose a product whose ingredients list doesn’t include sugar, such as pure instant coffee or a product labelled as sugar-free. Avoid 3-in-1 mixes, flavoured milk drinks and ready-to-drink iced coffee if you want to limit your sugar intake. Always check the current nutritional information on the packaging.