Hosts using an espresso or bean-to-cup machine
Look for preparation guidance that matches the machine and a flavour profile suited to the drinks you plan to serve, including coffee with milk. Pack size matters if meetings are frequent.
Who is choosing the beans?
Organisers using a cafetière or filter brewer
Check that the beans are recommended for your brewing method, then plan how they will be ground and prepared for several servings. An intensity number alone cannot settle brewer fit.
Teams with varied coffee preferences
Choose the regular coffee for its flavour and brewing method, but plan caffeine separately. A decaffeinated option lets guests choose without relying on the regular beans' strength label.
What should you check first?
Start with the meeting's brewer and serving plan. Then compare flavour descriptions, caffeine information and the pack size you can use and store.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Brewer fit | Check the maker's named preparation methods and your machine's bean and grinder guidance. Union recommends Foundation for espresso or bean-to-cup use; illy lists Intenso for filter and espresso. | Our meeting uses a filter brewer, so I want beans with filter preparation guidance rather than relying on an espresso label. |
| Bold flavour | Compare roast and flavour descriptions alongside the maker's intensity scale. Lavazza UK explains that its intensity rating describes aroma and body, not a standard shared by every brand. | I want a pronounced coffee flavour, but I need a description of the beans rather than assuming two brands' numbers mean the same thing. |
| Caffeine choice | Check bean composition and any product-specific caffeine information. Waitrose & Partners says Robusta can contain up to twice the caffeine of Arabica; a strength label does not give the caffeine in a prepared cup. | Some guests may prefer decaf, so I would offer it separately from the regular coffee. |
| Pack and preparation | Match pack size to likely use, check the storage instructions and make sure a grinder is available. Waitrose & Partners advises grinding only the beans needed immediately before brewing. | If meetings are occasional, I want a pack we can use and store as directed after opening. |
What can go wrong?
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Reading 'intense' as a caffeine rating
Lavazza UK uses intensity to describe aroma and body. The number does not tell a meeting host how much caffeine will be in each prepared cup.
Choose the flavour you want, then check caffeine information separately and provide decaf when preferences vary.
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Choosing beans before checking the brewer
Lavazza specifies Espresso Barista Intenso for espresso and moka, while illy lists Intenso for filter as well as espresso. Their preparation guidance does not describe the same range of methods.
Confirm the meeting's brewer and grinder, then check the exact beans' preparation guidance before ordering.
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Opening a large pack for infrequent meetings
Beans left between meetings still need to be stored according to their pack instructions. Waitrose & Partners also advises grinding only what is needed immediately before use.
Estimate likely servings before choosing a pack size, and check how the opened pack should be stored.
Relevant brand references
These product lines illustrate different flavour and brewing choices; a brand name alone does not establish that every bean in its range suits the meeting.
Lavazza
Lavazza UK lists Espresso Barista Intenso as a 1 kg, medium-roast Arabica-and-Robusta blend with an intensity rating of 9/10.
- Lavazza specifies this product for espresso and moka, with cocoa and woody notes.
- Its 9/10 rating is Lavazza's aroma-and-body scale, not a cross-brand caffeine measure.
Illy
Illy UK lists Intenso as a 500 g, 100% Arabica whole-bean coffee with an intensity rating of 7 of 9.
- Its stated preparation methods include moka, filter, espresso and lungo, which may suit a meeting using more than one brewer.
- The rating uses illy's own scale; check the intended flavour and brewing method rather than comparing it directly with another brand's number.
Taylors of Harrogate
Waitrose & Partners lists Taylors of Harrogate Rich Italian Beans and Lazy Sunday Coffee Beans as whole-bean options.
- The named options give organisers distinct packs to consider within the Taylors range.
- Check the exact pack's roast description and brewing guidance before selecting it for strong meeting coffee.
Union
Union describes Foundation as its darkest, Italian-style roast, intended for a strong flavour.
- Union recommends Foundation for espresso or bean-to-cup brewing and describes its body as noticeable in milk drinks.
- A dark flavour profile may not suit guests who prefer a lighter-tasting coffee; check preferences before making it the only regular option.
M&S
M&S Food describes its French Style Coffee Beans as dark-roasted, 100% Arabica, full-bodied and bold.
- Its whole-bean range also includes espresso and Italian-style options, allowing a comparison of the named products' descriptions.
- Check the exact pack details and local Foodhall stock before planning meeting service around a product.
Waitrose
Waitrose & Partners lists Fairtrade Italian Style and French Style whole beans and offers guidance on coffee strength.
- Waitrose describes its rich, intense coffee styles as suited to cafetières and espresso makers.
- Use the chosen pack's preparation and storage instructions, rather than applying broad strength guidance to every listing.
Joybuy coffee bean options
These whole-bean packs offer two sizes to consider for meeting service. Check each product's brewing directions against your equipment, especially if the meeting uses more than one type of brewer.
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Costa Intensely Dark Amazonian Blend Coffee Beans 200 g
For a smaller meeting or a trial of this whole-bean blend, consider whether a 200 g pack meets your serving plan. Check the brewing directions for your equipment, and do not use the flavour name to estimate caffeine per cup.
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Lavazza Barista Intenso Beans 1 kg
For repeated meetings, compare the stated 1 kg pack size with how many servings you expect to make. Check this product's brewing and storage directions; do not assume it has the same specifications as Lavazza Espresso Barista Intenso.
Common questions
Does a higher intensity number mean more caffeine?
No. Lavazza UK describes intensity as an aroma-and-body measure, while Waitrose & Partners notes that caffeine varies with bean type. Check product-specific caffeine information when it matters; an intensity score does not state the amount in a prepared cup.
Which beans should I consider for a bean-to-cup meeting?
Start with beans whose maker names bean-to-cup preparation: Union recommends Foundation for it as well as espresso. Check your machine's bean and grinder instructions before choosing a pack; Lavazza UK specifies Espresso Barista Intenso for espresso and moka, rather than explicitly naming bean-to-cup use.
Can the same beans serve filter and espresso drinkers?
Yes, if the product's preparation guidance covers both: illy UK lists Intenso for filter coffee and espresso, among other methods. You will still need a suitable grind for each brewer.
How much coffee should I prepare for a cafetière meeting?
Waitrose & Partners gives a starting recipe of 60 g of ground coffee per litre of water, or 20 g for a three-cup cafetière, with a four-minute steep. Check your cafetière's capacity and expected servings before scaling that recipe.
Should I provide decaffeinated coffee as well?
Offer a decaffeinated option when attendees' caffeine preferences are unknown or varied. A bold flavour or high intensity rating does not establish the caffeine in each served cup.