Buying coffee: how to choose the right coffee for home, the office or on the go

Buying coffee seems simple until you have to choose between instant coffee, filter coffee, coffee capsules, coffee pods and flavoured varieties. The packaging often promises a creamy latte, intense aromas or a café-style coffee experience. In practice, you may be paying mainly for flavourings, sugar or a brewing method that does not suit your needs.

So look out for these three common pitfalls:

• A product that does not work with your equipment: capsules for a Dolce Gusto machine will not necessarily work in another system. Filter coffee, on the other hand, needs a filter machine, French press or pour-over method.
• A flavour name that reveals little about the ingredients: hazelnut, vanilla and caramel flavours can mean that the product contains sugar, milk powder and flavourings as well as coffee. Always check the ingredients list.
• A large pack that you will not use quickly enough: coffee gradually loses its aroma after opening. A 500 g or 1 kg bag is most practical if you drink coffee regularly and seal the pack properly.

What should you look for when buying coffee?

1. Choose your brewing method first

The brewing method determines what kind of coffee you need:

• Filter coffee: ground coffee for a filter machine, French press or manual pour-over. The grind needs to be suitable for your chosen method.
• Coffee capsules: portions for a specific capsule system. Check compatibility before you order.
• Coffee pods: soft pods for compatible pod machines. They are not the same as capsules.
• Instant coffee: soluble coffee that you make with hot water. Handy at the office, on the go or anywhere without a coffee machine.
• 3-in-1 coffee: a blend of coffee, sugar and creamer. There is nothing to measure out, but it can contain a considerable amount of sugar and milk ingredients.
• Coffee concentrate: liquid instant coffee that you mix with water or milk. It is handy for iced coffee and quick latte-style drinks.

A product that is not technically compatible with your machine offers no benefit, even if its flavour description appeals to you.

2. Check the coffee content, sugar and allergens

Black coffee usually contains mostly coffee. The ingredients list can look quite different for 3-in-1 coffee, latte powders and flavoured coffee. For example, Trung Nguyen G7 3-in-1 coffee contains sugar and creamer as well as coffee. Douwe Egberts 3-in-1 lists sugar as its first ingredient and contains milk ingredients.

Look out for the following:

• Sugar content: important if you are looking for coffee that is not sweet.
• Milk and milk proteins: relevant if you have an allergy or prefer to choose plant-based products.
• Coffee content: a lower proportion of instant coffee means the drink contains a greater proportion of creamer, sugar or other ingredients.
• Caffeine: coffee products may contain caffeine. Follow the warnings on the packaging, particularly for children, pregnant people and anyone sensitive to caffeine.

Always check the current product packaging before you order. Product ingredients may change.

3. Compare pack size, portions and shelf life

The price per pack does not always tell you how much each cup costs. Compare the number of portions and the weight:

• A box of 25 sachets of instant coffee is handy for individual portions.
• A 250 g or 500 g bag of filter coffee is better suited to everyday use.
• Capsules and coffee pods offer a measured dose, but may work out more expensive per cup than ground coffee.
• According to the product description, a 500 ml bottle of concentrate makes around 16 portions, depending on how you prepare it.

Store coffee in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Seal an opened pack tightly and check the shelf-life information on the label. Do not use a product if its packaging is damaged.

Our recommendations for different situations

The following options are matched to specific features such as brewing method, size, ingredients and portion packaging.

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Trung Nguyen G7 Instant Coffee 3-in-1 16 g × 20

Why it suits this profile: The 20 sachets are individually portioned at 16 g each. Just add hot water; you do not need a machine or measuring spoon.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The individual portions help prevent you from using too much coffee powder. Check that the sugar, creamer and milk protein suit your preferences.

Key benefit & highlights

20 individual sachets; suitable for home, the office and on the go; ready in just a few steps.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality

Nescafé Gold Instant Coffee – 25 sachets

Why it suits this profile: According to the product information, these portions contain instant coffee with finely ground Arabica coffee beans and none of the 14 major EU allergens.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The ingredients list is simpler than that of 3-in-1 coffee: sugar and creamer are not listed as ingredients.

Key benefit & highlights

25 individual portions; instant coffee with no coffee machine needed; ideal if you want to add your own milk or sugar.

Suitable for: Specific needs & regular coffee drinkers

Douwe Egberts Aroma Variations Mocca Coffee 250 g

Why it suits this profile: This ground coffee is designed for a filter machine and, according to the product specifications, has an intensity rating of 7 out of 10.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The pack clearly states that it is for filter brewing. This reduces the risk of buying ground coffee for the wrong machine.

Key benefit & highlights

250 g pack; resealable for storage; filter brewing for several cups.

Suitable for: Fans of alternative hot drinks

JENI vegan matcha latte – 250 g

Why it suits this profile: This powder contains matcha, sugar and vegan creamer. Make it with hot water or plant-based milk.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product name and ingredients make it clear that this is a matcha latte, not coffee. No ingredients from the 14 major EU allergens are listed as main ingredients.

Key benefit & highlights

250 g pack; vegan recipe according to the product information; suitable for making with water or plant-based milk.

Frequently asked questions about buying coffee

Which coffee is handy if I do not have a coffee machine?

Instant coffee, 3-in-1 coffee, coffee concentrate and some latte powders only need hot water. For flavoured varieties, check whether you want to add your own sugar or milk, as these ingredients may already be in the product.

Which is cheaper: filter coffee, pods or capsules?

It depends on the weight, number of portions and amount of coffee per portion. A larger pack of filter coffee is often practical when you are making several cups at once. Capsules and coffee pods offer measured portions and less cleaning up, but compare the price per cup before you order coffee online.

How should I store coffee after opening?

Keep coffee in its original, tightly sealed packaging in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Ideally, do not keep opened dry coffee in a damp environment. For liquid products such as coffee creamer or concentrate, follow the storage and refrigeration advice on the label.