Scientists have successfully created coffee powder in a laboratory that tastes and smells like regular coffee. The product is expected to hit the market in four years. The Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) used techniques similar to those used in lab-grown meat to create the coffee. The researchers first grew cells from the coffee plant, which were then placed in a bioreactor to produce the necessary biomass. The resulting cream-colored mass was then dried and roasted to create a substance that looks like regular coffee powder. The taste and caffeine content can be modified by changing the cultivation process. Different coffee varieties can also be created by altering the roasting process. However, the preparation of the coffee still requires specialist equipment and expertise.
The production of lab-grown meat is still too expensive for the mass market, but the production of lab-grown coffee is simpler and cheaper due to the less complex nutrient requirements of plant cell cultures. The cultivation of plant cells, however, requires specialized knowledge to scale and optimize the process. The VTT researchers expect it will take four years to bring the lab-grown coffee to market.
Lab-grown coffee has the potential to revolutionize the coffee industry by providing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional coffee production. It could also help to address issues such as deforestation and the exploitation of coffee farmers. However, it remains to be seen whether consumers will embrace the idea of lab-grown coffee or whether it will remain a niche product.
