Your morning cup of joe might be missing a key ingredient in the future: coffee beans.
Coffee is so popular around the world that the vast crop requirements are devastating the environment. So some companies are seeking a more sustainable alternative.
A handful of them are already using biotechnology and food science to create viable coffee replacements, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Atomo, one of those companies, has launched a series of beanless products. Its Coachella Latte Blend is a ground espresso made from things like date seeds, lemon, and guava. A one-pound bag of the regular and decaf versions both retail for $15.99.
Other companies are relying on lab-grown cells from coffee plants, the Journal reported.
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Beanless coffee and other alternatives might be a good solution to all these coffee woes. But much like the lab-grown and alternative meat industry, convincing consumers to try it might be the biggest challenge of all.
