What is beanless coffee?
Beanless coffee, as the name suggests, is made without coffee beans. Instead, it uses a variety of substitutes such as chicory, chickpeas, upcycled plant materials, and barley. Here’s the best part— it still tastes like coffee. Surprisingly, it’s not the beans that make coffee so flavorful but the fermentation and roasting process. And if it’s the caffeine you’re after, fear not; beanless coffee contains caffeine too.
Why beanless?
The traditional coffee industry faces significant environmental and ethical challenges. Rising temperatures, high CO₂ emissions, deforestation, and unjust working conditions plague the industry. The beanless coffee approach aims to reduce the impact of coffee production and offers a more ethical solution to coffee farming. By not relying on coffee plantations, beanless coffee helps prevent deforestation and habitat destruction. Additionally, the production process of beanless coffee typically emits less CO₂ than traditional coffee's full lifecycle.
Although the beanless coffee market is still in its early stages, there is significant growth potential as consumers become more interested in sustainable and ethical products. As awareness grows, beanless coffee could become a mainstream choice for eco-conscious coffee lovers.
Notably in the US Market Suntory made a recent investment in Atomo, a Seattle-based beanless coffee company, underscoring the growing interest from established brands in this innovative sector. They also receive support from Blue Horizon.
Additionally, Minus Coffee, the first product from Compound Foods, successfully secured funding from Amplifica Capital, highlighting the increasing support for startups that prioritize sustainability in the food and beverage industry. This trend indicates a promising future for beanless coffee as it aligns with both consumer preferences and investor priorities.
With increasing consumer demand for ethical and eco-friendly products, several prominent investors are recognizing the potential of this market. Notable firms such as EIT Food, Balderton Capital, Future Positive Capital, AgFunder, and SOSV are well-positioned to support and capitalize on the expansion of beanless coffee. Their investments reflect a broader commitment to fostering sustainable food technologies, making them key players in the future growth of this industry.
Northern Wonder
Founded in 2021 by David Klingen (CEO), Bas Franse (CFO), Andreas Giel (COO), and Onno Franse (R&D), the Dutch tech food startup, Northern Wonder aims to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional coffee. The company uses locally sourced, non-coffee plant-based ingredients to create a coffee substitute that mimics the taste and experience of conventional coffee. By eliminating the need for coffee beans, Northern Wonder reduces the environmental impacts associated with coffee farming, such as deforestation, high water usage, and carbon emissions. Their commitment to local sourcing further minimizes the carbon footprint and supports regional agriculture, making Northern Wonder a leader in sustainable coffee innovation.
STEMⓇ
A Parisian food tech firm, claiming to be the world's first startup focused on the mass production of cell-cultured coffee. Founded in 2022 by specialist coffee roaster and wholesaler Tom Clark (CMO); biotech IP specialist Henri Kunz (chairman); and analytical chemist Dr. Chahan Yeretzian (CEO/CSO). STEMⓇ produces coffee from Arabica coffee plant cells. Their main goal is to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy coffee, without it being a luxury item. There is a great in-depth interview with Tom Clark here.
Honorary mention: Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre
Read more of their stories here
In 2021, VTT developed a method for producing coffee cells in bioreactors through cellular agriculture, aiming for a more sustainable coffee production process. Initial batches showed similar smell and taste to conventional coffee. As demand rises and traditional agriculture faces sustainability challenges, this innovative approach seeks to mitigate deforestation linked to coffee cultivation. The project involves interdisciplinary expertise and established biotechnological methods. While the lab-grown coffee is currently experimental and requires regulatory approval before market release, VTT aims to scale production and optimize processes, ultimately contributing to sustainable food solutions and healthier consumer choices. Read their press release here.
Prefer
Although they aren’t European, we thought they were pretty noteworthy. Based in Singapore, Prefer Coffee is making waves in the beanless coffee industry. A sustainable bioflavor company founded by innovative entrepreneurs Jake Berber (CEO) and Ding Jie Tan (CTO), Prefer Coffee focuses on sustainability and quality. Through the fermentation of upcycled food and reverse engineering they are able to recreate the key aroma molecules that are found in coffee. Their commitment to eco-friendly practices and cutting-edge technology positions Prefer Coffee as a significant player in the global shift towards sustainable coffee solutions.
With visionary companies like Northern Wonder and STEMⓇ leading the way in Europe, beanless coffee not only delights the senses but also nurtures the planet. As consumers increasingly seek ethical choices, beanless coffee could soon become the go-to brew for eco-conscious coffee lovers in Europe.
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