The coffee industry continues to grow exponentially - with more coffee drinkers emerging across the world daily. Whether specialty coffee or everyday blends, coffee is among the top sought-after beverages in the world.
While the industry is relatively well, this doesn't mean there isn't any room for innovation. In fact, reports show the need for more coffee output to feed the growing demand - enter beanless coffee. With beanless coffee, you enjoy the same qualities of true coffee - including your caffeine hit and pleasant aromatic drinking experience.
Yet, in the current global warming threat, this innovation plays its part in making the coffee industry even better. A sustainable and eco-conscious alternative, beanless coffee promises fewer carbon emissions and reduced need for large farmland.
Overview
Beanless coffee is an innovative alternative to regular coffee, typically made from upcycled ingredients. While several manufacturers have begun to create their own formulas, Settled-based coffee company, Atomo Coffee is among the very first and well-known companies to develop its beanless coffee products.
Atomo Coffee doesn't share the full list of its proprietary beanless coffee formula. However, the company lists the following ingredients:
- Date seeds
- Ramon seeds
- Lemon peel
- Fenugreek
- Millet
- Fructose
- Sunflower seed extract
- Pea protein
- Guava
- Baking soda
- Leftover caffeine from decaffeinated green tea
Beanless coffee brands highlight their beanless coffee in their ready-to-drink (RTD) products. But, a few brands, like Atomo Coffee, also feature ground beanless coffee blends. While beanless coffee is made from entirely different ingredients to coffee, it is scientifically formulated to mimic the flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel of coffee.
But, beanless coffee tends to have a smoother finish and less bitter acidity. Like real coffee, beanless coffee also undergoes roasting, grinding, and brewing.
Beanless Coffee: Is It Really Sustainable?
According to Atomo Coffee, beanless coffee is a sustainable solution for coffee lovers. It offers a cleaner and more sustainable alternative while maintaining the same delicious flavors and intoxicating aroma. According to Atomo Coffee, producing 4 lbs of its beanless coffee produces 8 kgs fewer carbon emissions and uses 16 square meters of less land.
Producing for mass consumption can translate to significantly fewer emissions and less land use. In general, Atomo beanless coffee production produces 83% less carbon emissions, 70% less farmland, and 94% less water. Plus, the manufacturer gets to optimize food use and reduce waste by utilizing 98% upcycled ingredients.
The Benefits of Beanless Coffee
- Environmental Impact of Traditional Coffee:
- High water usage, pollution, deforestation, and land degradation.
- Climate change threatens arabica coffee, which needs specific high-altitude conditions.
- Potential reduction in global arabica production by nearly half in coming decades.
- Sustainable Solution:
- Beanless coffee doesn’t rely on traditional coffee crops, reducing environmental impact.
- Brands like Atomo Coffee produce beanless coffee with less than half the carbon emissions of traditional arabica.
- Made from upcycled food waste, beanless coffee reduces the need for additional land and helps cut food waste.
The Downsides of Beanless Coffee
- Flavor and Authenticity:
- Some consumers feel beanless coffee lacks the authentic flavor and aroma of traditional coffee.
- Proprietary blends from different brands often aren’t transparent about their ingredients.
- Impact on Coffee Farmers:
- Concerns about beanless coffee replacing traditional coffee and affecting farmers.
- Brands like Atomo Coffee claim it’s not intended to displace coffee farmers but to meet growing global demand sustainably.
Want to Try a Bag? Check Out Atomo
Atomo Coffee’s Ground Blends
Atomo Coffee stands out among industry leaders when it comes to beanless coffee. As one of the first companies to revolutionize this innovative coffee concept, Atomo Coffee has a few interesting options you can try out.
Atomo Remix
The Atomo Remix blend boasts a 50-50 ground ratio of the brand’s proprietary beanless coffee and 100% arabica coffee. The blend comes in dark and medium roast options. The medium blend offers notes of brown sugar, baking chocolate, and citrus.
On the other hand, the dark roast blend offers more intense tasting notes of dark caramel, dried fruit, and bittersweetness. You can also opt for the duo pack to sample both blends and decide which one is suitable for you. You can enjoy the coffee in drip, French Press, Pour Over, or any other method you want.
Coachella Latte Blend
You can also opt for the Coachella Latte Blend if you want to experience 100% beanless coffee. Available in caffeinated and decaf options, the blend offers notes of dark chocolate, dried fruit, and graham crackers. The bold and balanced blend is also great for espresso and milk-based coffee drinks.
Author
Donna is a coffee lover and freelance writer from Tanzania. Coffee runs deep in her family, tracing its roots to her grandmother’s running of their first coffee farm in the mid-70s. During the summer seasons, she enjoys writing and co-running her grandmother's small robusta coffee farm with her sister in northwest Tanzania.