Coffee-which is not coffee!

"CASCARA" from Spanish means "peel." It is the name (most commonly used worldwide) to identify the dried skin and pulp of the coffee cherry, that is, the fruit of the coffee cherry.

The coffee cherry is a fruit that is harvested when it is red. Before or after drying, depending on the process used, it is divided into its two main components: one side yields the beans, the other the pulp.

The beans, called coffee beans (which we all know), are roasted and then used to make the well-known coffee.

The pulp, called CASCARA (lesser known), is now mainly consumed in producing countries to make an infusion, like a tea. So it's more of a coffee substitute, rather than a coffee! A coffee substitute with caffeine!

The same name CASCARA is also used for the infusion itself, like e.g. Cascara tea or in english coffee husk tea.

ETHIOPIA

Natural caffeine gives a lot of energy.

And it lasts a long time, e.g., for the "Hamer" pastoral people in southern Ethiopia. They call CASCARA "BUNNO." They drink it every morning before walking for kilometers and kilometers!

REDUCTION OF FOOD-WASTE.

In the case of ripe coffee cherries, the ratio of pulp weight (CASCARA) to beans is about 70%/30%.

This means that if 7,500,000 tons* of beans are produced in the world, about 17,500,000 tons of CASCARA is also produced at the same time.

And how is it used? Is it edible?

Usually only a small amount is used as food, but most of it is used as compost/fuel or simply discarded - but it is a food product!

* source: www.procafe.ch

IMPROVING THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF COFFEE FARMERS

It should be said openly and clearly: many coffee farmers do not earn much, and sometimes they can only meet the basic needs of the family. Through international distribution of CASCARA, families in producing countries could also earn a little more. This can help both the economy and consequently social growth.

REDUCTION OF DISPOSAL IN NATURE

If CASCARA is imported and consumed in Switzerland and Europe, it is not disposed of in kind*.

Will it then become disposal material here? Yes. But here it can be properly processed in the organic waste composting plant.

* In Africa, for example, there is often no system for processing such waste.

Do you want to find out how to make CASCARA?

Take a look at our Instagram account!

There you will find various photos and videos showing it!