Coffee Demand Gives Rise to Synthetic Brews

Worldwide coffee consumption is estimated to be roughly two billion cups a day, a value that is difficult for the industry to support, reports The Wall Street Journal. To meet the demand, companies are looking into using food science to create climate-resilient solutions.

Coffee demand has led to deforestation, poverty wages for farmers, and substantial carbon emissions due to related production and supply chains, according to a report. Research also found that approximately half of the land area best suited for coffee growing will become unsuitable by 2050.

Some companies have turned to a variety of other ingredients to help make synthetic coffee, including chickpeas and “upcycled” byproducts of other crops, like date pits. Other brands, including Voyage Foods, Minus Coffee, Atomo, Prefer, Stem, and Northern Wonder, are focusing efforts on lab-grown cells from coffee plants to create a more sustainable coffee alternative.

The report found that, if these coffee alternatives reach enough people, it will lead to the substitution effect: as traditional coffee becomes scarce and more expensive, consumers will switch to the cheaper, more abundant alternatives. Full Story (Subscription Required)