Compound Foods' breakthrough technology for beanless coffee production

Discover the future of coffee with Compound Foods, where sustainability meets deliciousness. Say goodbye to traditional coffee beans and embrace an innovative synthetic approach.

The founder and CEO of Compound Foods, Maricel Sáenz, is a Costa Rican entrepreneur who, like 80% of Americans, cannot go without her daily cup of coffee. However, she is concerned about the environmental impact of this beverage. Aware of how climate change is affecting coffee producers worldwide, Sáenz set out to create a sustainable and delicious coffee.

Sáenz's company, Compound Foods, founded in 2020, uses synthetic biology techniques to develop a type of coffee that does not rely on coffee beans. Instead, they use molecule extraction to recreate the typical flavors and aromas of coffee. In order to achieve their goal, the company has dedicated a significant amount of time to examining and closely researching the fundamental elements of coffee and how they interact to produce its distinctive flavor.

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Sustainable and Delicious Alternatives from Compound Foods

Their beans have one-tenth of the emissions and usage compared to traditional coffee. It is important to mention that they can adjust the caffeine level to make the intake perfect. Additionally, this company is committed to supporting small artisanal coffee farmers in adopting these new, more sustainable agricultural practices and good land-use practices.

Compound Foods uses a formula composed of sustainable ingredients that do not require large amounts of water. The company is focused on replicating special flavors from different regions of the world, such as the chocolate notes present in Brazilian coffee and the unique flavors of Costa Rica.

Furthermore, the company has received financial support of up to $5.3 million, including backing from Chris Sacca's climate fund, Lowercarbon Capital, SVLC, Humboldt Fund, Collaborative Fund, Maple VC, Petri Bio, and angel investors.

Although there are competitors in this field using different technologies, Compound Foods stands out for its focus on synthetic biology and commitment to sustainability. The company is recruiting coffee enthusiasts and lovers to collaborate in the development of this technology.

Maricel Sáenz says that the company is not competing in the coffee industry, but providing an alternative solution. "We love coffee and we know the farmers," she said. "We want to recreate it, and even drink it someday on Mars, and we want to bring farmers and the coffee industry with us on this journey."

With their innovative approach, Compound Foods is a developing foodtech business that is transforming the coffee industry through its focus on sustainability.