According to a study from the University of Michigan of 2017, the carbon footprint of our morning coffee would vary between 50 and 250g CO2 equivalent, depending on the type of coffee and the preparation. The use of fertilizers or chemical inputs to treat the coffee trees, but also the transport necessary to transport it from tropical production areas to consumers, seriously increases the energy bill. That convinced you to find other sources of caffeine…
Life without coffee?
Living without coffee is actually not so much of a challenge because the stimulating effects of caffeine can be found in other plants. This is the case of black tea, matcha tea but also guarana (a plant native to the Amazon), or mate. Packed with antioxidants, zinc and selenium, the latter is a traditional South American drink borrowed from Native American culture that has conquered the world as a substitute for tea or coffee. At a time when consumers are looking for other solutions to better preserve their health without depriving themselves of the caffeine necessary to perform at work, the market for alternatives to these two drinks is announced as a new fundamental food trend, which could weigh nearly 20 billion dollars by 2032.
According to an economic report by the firm Fact MR, this is a market that should be fueled by annual growth estimated at 4.2%. Europeans represent the most interested consumers since the old continent holds the largest share of this market (27.1%). To water it, new foods, yet as old (almost) as the world, are brought to the fore by brands, thus helping to shape new consumption patterns. It is therefore anything but a coincidence that the American distributor Whole Foods has designated a North American plant as one of the food trends of 2023…
Yaupon as an alternative to kawa
It looks like holly, in the spirit of the one we hang above our heads to celebrate New Year’s Eve and wish each other a happy new year. Yaupon is a variety of holly that grows naturally from Maryland to Florida. In American culture, this plant, which is totally unknown to the European battalion, is nothing new since the Cherokee Indians already used it as an infusion during purification rituals. We pick both its leaves and its stems to prepare a hot drink and fill up on antioxidants. Above all, this alternative allows you to consume caffeine, but also theobromine, a stimulant that we know well since it is present in dark chocolate. It is also indicated as a vector of well-being. The yaupon thus has a double advantage: to be awake and to be happy!
Soon with us?
In the United States, this American holly is available in dried mixes with added matcha or lemon basil. Green in color, the dried leaves turn brown or even black when roasted. Its particularity is to have no bitterness, which should appeal to consumers who are not very fond of coffee and looking for another caffeinated source. In Europe, its marketing is not yet developed. You have to go through online commerce to discover its taste.
Find all the news on Metrotime.be