Joybuy Insights

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

When you want to buy coffee online, you’ll quickly come across dozens of varieties: instant coffee, filter coffee, cappuccino, coffee sticks and Arabica coffee in convenient drip coffee bags. The differences aren’t limited to the brand or packaging. The preparation method, serving size, ingredients and storage conditions also determine whether a purchase suits your daily routine.

An attractive package or the word “premium” doesn’t tell you much on its own. So check the practical details first. This will help you avoid paying too much for coffee that doesn’t suit your taste, equipment or occasion.

Three common pitfalls when buying coffee

1. Confusing “cappuccino” with black coffee

Cappuccino sticks and other speciality coffees often contain milk powder, creamer, sugar or sweeteners. This makes them easy to prepare, but they taste different from black instant coffee or ground coffee. So check the ingredients list and nutritional values per serving.

Some varieties list milk or lactose. This is important if you want to avoid allergens. A product labelled as containing none of the 14 major EU allergens is not the same as a cappuccino containing milk powder.

2. Looking only at the number of sachets

A box containing 20 coffee sticks may seem good value, but also check the weight per serving. A 1.8-gram stick has a different composition and is intended for a different-sized cup than a 22- or 27.5-gram sachet. Also check the recommended amount of water. This can vary, for example, from 150 to 180 ml.

So compare the price per serving as well as the amount of coffee in each sachet. This gives you a fairer picture than looking at the pack price alone.

3. Treating Arabica as an automatic guarantee of quality

Arabica coffee can be an appealing choice for fans of filter or drip coffee, but the bean alone doesn’t determine the complete flavour profile. Origin, roasting, grind, freshness and preparation all play a part too. According to the product descriptions, the Luckin and RiXing drip varieties contain 100% Arabica coffee beans. This is a verifiable product specification, but it doesn’t guarantee a flavour that everyone will love.

Which specifications should you check?

Preparation method and equipment required

First, choose the format that fits your day:

  • Instant coffee: only hot water is needed; practical for the office, travelling or a student room.
  • Coffee sticks: individually wrapped and easy to measure. Handy when you don’t want to use a tin or measuring spoon.
  • Cappuccino: usually a mix of instant coffee, milk powder or creamer and sometimes sugar. Check the allergens and sugar content.
  • Ground coffee: suitable for a filter coffee machine, French press, AeroPress, percolator or similar systems, depending on the grind size.
  • Drip coffee: an individual filter bag that hangs over your cup. You don’t need a coffee machine, but you do need hot water and a few minutes to prepare it.

Buying a bag of ground coffee without a filter device won’t get you very far. Conversely, drip coffee is less suitable if you want to brew several large pots every day.

Serving size and amount of water

The serving size affects both strength and convenience. The product information gives the following examples:

  • Nescafé Gold Instant Coffee: 25 individual servings of 1.8 grams.
  • Douwe Egberts Aroma Rood Instant Coffee Sticks: 25 sticks with a total weight of 45 grams.
  • Luckin drip coffee: 8 sachets of 10 grams.
  • G7 Cappuccino Mocha: 12 servings of 18 grams.
  • Xiang Yue Caramel Macchiato: 20 servings of 22 grams.

Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging. For drip coffee, water at approximately 90–95 °C is often recommended. For cappuccino and other sticks, the guideline is usually around 150 ml of water. Too much water makes the drink thinner; too little can make the flavour overpowering.

Ingredients, allergens and caffeine

Black instant coffee often consists of instant coffee without milk or creamer. Cappuccino and coffee with milk are different. Always check the label, especially for milk, lactose, soya, gluten and possible traces.

If you want to avoid caffeine, look specifically for decaffeinated coffee or decaf. According to the product description, Nescafé Gold Cappuccino Unsweetened Decafe is described as decaffeinated instant coffee with skimmed milk powder. The same information lists lactose and milk as allergens. Check the current packaging before ordering, as product compositions may change.

Our recommendations for different uses

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners
Nescafe Gold Instant Coffee – 25 pieces, 1.8 g

Nescafe Gold Instant Coffee – 25 pieces, 1.8 g

Why it suits this profile: This instant coffee is individually portioned and only requires hot water. That makes it easy to measure at home or in the office.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The number of servings and the weight per stick are clearly stated. The product description’s ingredients list does not mention milk powder or creamer.

Key benefit & advantages

25 individual servings; according to the product information, with Arabica coffee added.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality
Luckin Premium Drip Bag Coffee Mandheling 2.0 Series

Luckin Premium Drip Bag Coffee – Mandheling 2.0 Series – 10g × 8 Bags

Why it suits this profile: An individual drip coffee serving offers a more immersive brewing experience than ordinary instant coffee, without the need for a separate machine.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging states that it contains 100% Arabica beans, with 8 sachets of 10 grams, and should be prepared using water at approximately 90–95 °C.

Key benefit & advantages

Individual servings; no ground coffee or filter holder required.

Suitable for: Specific uses & frequent coffee drinkers
Douwe Egberts Aroma Red Filter Coffee 500 g

Douwe Egberts Aroma Red Filter Coffee – 500 g

Why it suits this profile: The 500-gram bag is ideal for households or offices where filter coffee is brewed regularly.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information lists the suitable brewing methods: filter machine, French press, AeroPress, percolator and Chemex.

Key benefit & advantages

Ground coffee; medium roast; flavour intensity 05 on a scale of 01–09 according to the product description.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for decaffeinated coffee
Nescafe Gold Cappuccino Unsweetened Decafe 10 Sticks

Nescafe Gold Cappuccino Unsweetened Decafe 10 Sticks

Why it suits this profile: These sticks combine cappuccino preparation with a decaffeinated formula and are intended for one cup of approximately 180 ml.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging states that there are 10 servings, that 150 ml of water is required, and that the product contains milk and lactose. This allows you to make a choice that suits your needs.

Key benefit & advantages

Decaffeinated instant coffee; milk foam according to the product description; no coffee machine required.

Looking for more options?

We’ve compiled a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.

Frequently asked questions about buying coffee

Which coffee is practical for the office?

Instant coffee and coffee sticks are practical when you don’t have access to a coffee machine. Individual sticks reduce waste and are easy to store. For a more intense coffee experience without a machine, consider drip coffee; you’ll need a cup, hot water and a few minutes.

How long does coffee stay fresh after opening?

Always check the best-before date and store coffee according to the label. The product information for several of the varieties mentioned states that they should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal opened packaging securely and don’t use damaged packs. Individual sachets retain their portion packaging until they are opened.

Is buying coffee in sticks cheaper than buying a bag of ground coffee?

That depends on how much you drink and how you prepare it. Ground coffee in a 500-gram pack can be practical for everyday use with a filter machine. Sticks and sachets may cost more per cup, but they offer fixed portions, less cleaning and greater convenience when you’re out and about. Compare the price per serving, the weight and the amount of water you use for each cup.