Kodagu: The recently invented coffee leaves beverage is all set to enter market by June. In February 2022, Mysuru Central Food Research Technology Institute (CFTRI) Senior Scientist Pushpa and team developed the beverage.
After successful tests the officials handed over the technology to Technology Transfer and Business Development (TTBD) wing of the institute. The TTBD fixed Rs. 1 lakh royalty for sale of technology.
An officer of TTBD said that many Self-help groups, Sthree Shakthi Sanghas and organisations showed interest in availing the technology. Even we have enquiries from abroad. The Kushalnagar based SLN coffee curing works availed the technology, he added.
The SLN Coffee curing works, a largest coffee trader in the District is already known brand dealing with coffee retailing. The company selling Levista brand coffee powder and instant coffee in Indian market.
When contacted SLN Coffee Managing Partner S. L. Sathappan confirmed that company bought the technology and is preparing to launch the leaf beverage before the end of June. He said the company initially would distribute samples to people and would launch sales in E-commerce platforms. The company would release beverage in small packets like tea bags and would initially invest Rs. 50 lakhs for the project.
The coffee leaves beverage would fetch good income to growers, and it would boost income for coffee growers. About 70 per cent of the coffee industry employees today face unemployment for nine months of the year due to the growth cycle of the coffee beans. But if the beverage becomes successful the growers would ensure employment throughout the year.
Coffee leaves were thought to be useless and so far served as manure. However, in coffee growing countries Indonesia and Ethiopia, coffee leaves beverage is not new. In Ethiopia it is known as “Kuti Tea” and is known as “Kahwa Dan” in West Sumatra and Indonesia. But the drink in these areas is different from the beverage developed by CFTRI. The drink can be made with water, filtered and consumed after few minutes.
The leaf extract does not taste like coffee which are rich in phenolic acid and have potential health benefits. A coffee leaf contains about 17 per cent more antioxidants than a green tea. The drink contains health-promoting polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid and mangiferin, which help reduce blood glucose levels, inflammation and blood pressure.
The latest research by CFTRI has the potential to revolutionise coffee industry. If it is accepted by consumers, thousands of jobs would be created in Coffee growing regions apart from fetching additional income to growers.
