Nestlé accelerates the development of products and technologies that use agricultural raw materials that typically go to waste.

Nescafé Nativ Cascara is a carbonated soft drink based on organic cascara – the “coffee berry” fruit surrounding the bean. Nestlé uses this antioxidant-rich coffee berry to brew a trend-based beverage. Through this, the company creates a new purpose for an agricultural side stream that would otherwise get discarded. And this innovative process creates new revenue streams for farmers and start-ups focused on developing food ingredients or packaging materials.

This organic caffeine drink is free from preservatives, artificial colours and flavours. It also has the same caffeine content as one cup of coffee. Furthermore, it comes in recyclable packaging with a paper label.

Nestlé experts have also developed a 70% dark chocolate using the traditionally unused byproduct cocoa pulp. The natural process includes drying the cocoa pulp and using it with the beans to create chocolate without refined sugar. 

Thomas Hauser, Nestlé’s Head of Product and Technology Development, says, “Developing new products and technologies using agricultural side streams is one way to reduce environmental impact, and it creates new opportunities for farmers.” Adding, “We are committed to addressing food loss – to create new value for raw materials and develop innovations that are good for you and the planet.”

Nestlé also aims a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. One way to achieve this is by fermenting coffee grounds to produce biogas, which provides electricity for the Swiss grid. Meanwhile, the fermentation residuals are used as eco-friendly fertilizer by farmers.

Their scientists are also exploring the potential of coffee production side streams as ingredients for bio-based packaging materials.

Find out more:

Nestlé Suisse S.A.
Rue Entre-deux-Villes 10 1814 La Tour-de-Peilz Switzerland
Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 924 51 11

You can also reach them here.

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