For coffee to delight our taste buds in the form of the well-known dark and aromatic brew, it must go through quite a long process. In the initial stages of processing the coffee fruit (yes, coffee is a fruit!), the outer layer, consisting of the skin and pulp, is removed. Until recently, this part of the coffee cherry was considered a production waste and used only as a natural fertilizer to enrich the soil. Luckily, that has changed.
It turns out that, with the right method and drying of the outer layer of the fruit, it's possible to obtain dried pulp that, when brewed, results in a delicious, fruity, and nutrient-rich infusion, increasingly known as Cascara.
Cascara has a long and interesting history. For centuries, coffee farmers in Yemen and Ethiopia have been steeping dried coffee cherries and drinking the resulting beverage. They still do this today, often adding fresh cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg to the infusion. In Ethiopia, this drink is called HASHARA, and in Yemen - QISHR.
“Cascara” is a Spanish word that literally means peel or husk. As the coffee market expanded, these parts of the coffee cherry started generating large amounts of waste during production.
Some of the waste was indeed composted and used to fertilize the soil or as animal feed, but a large amount remained unused.
Coffee fruits, like other organic waste, contribute to the production of greenhouse gases during uncontrolled decomposition, negatively impacting the atmosphere. By adding Cascara in dried or concentrate form to your shopping cart (our exciting new product—delicious, easy to use, and conveniently packaged!), you’ll help reduce greenhouse gas production over time. As they say, every little bit helps. Remember, small steps can make a big difference.
Health benefits of drinking Cascara
Choosing Cascara is not only a way to care for the planet. The brew made from dried coffee cherries also provides numerous nutritional benefits for your body!
Recent analyses and academic studies have shown that Cascara coffee contains a unique combination of bioactive compounds that are highly beneficial to health. These include:
- Phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant compounds for protection), such as caffeine, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, which have positive effects on the human body.
- Nutritional components, including “metabolic fuel” for the human body (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins).
- Other nutrients that make CASCARA a valuable product in the food industry, nutraceutical industry, and even cosmetics.
What does Cascara taste like?
Now that we know all the environmental and health-related pros and cons, and the decision to try Cascara has been made, the adventure continues! It’s important to emphasize that besides helping the environment and providing valuable nutrients to your body, trying Cascara will also give you an incredible taste experience! Expect to find a subtle coffee flavor? Cherry compote aroma? Dried fruit tea? There’s a chance you’ll find all of these (well, maybe not the soup), and even more. Delightful plum aroma, pleasant acidity (mirabelle or blackcurrant), a rich fruity scent, the sweetness of raisins (or maybe other dried fruits?).
Once you try it, you won’t want to be without a stash of Cascara in your kitchen. With its low caffeine content, you’ll get a mild (very mild) caffeine boost, but also evening refreshment from Cascara is very much in order.
Hot? Cold? Brewed from scratch using an AeroPress or French press, or added in concentrated form to a drink? CASCARA always tastes amazing. Don’t just take our word for it — try it yourself!
Source: Report Cascara - Environment, Sustainability, and Health
