Inhalable Coffee: A New Way to Drink Espresso

Coffee lovers always want a faster, more intense way to get their caffeine fix—without the mug, the wait, or the drips. But what if you could get the strength of an espresso just by inhaling? That’s the idea behind a surprising new coffee format developed not by a barista, but by a Harvard biomedical engineer and a Michelin-trained chef.

The answer is inhalable coffee: a lipstick-shaped tube that holds 100mg of coffee powder—roughly the same dose as a single shot of espresso. Each tube costs $3, or you can buy a pack of three for $8. You simply pull it apart, place it in your mouth, and inhale deeply.

What Is Inhalable Coffee?

Inhalable coffee is a solid coffee product designed to deliver a concentrated dose quickly through inhalation. It comes in a slim, tube-like container resembling a lipstick stick. This container holds exactly 100mg of coffee powder—equivalent to a standard espresso shot in caffeine concentration. The format is the result of a collaboration between Harvard University biomedical engineering professor David Edwards and French chef Thierry Marx, who previously worked together on an inhalable chocolate product.

How It Works

To use the inhalable coffee, you pull the tube apart to expose the coffee powder inside. You then place the open end into your mouth and take a deep inhalation. This action draws the fine coffee particles into your mouth and respiratory tract, where they dissolve or are absorbed quickly, delivering a strong coffee flavor and caffeine effect almost instantly. There’s no need for hot water, a coffee maker, or any preparation time.

Product Format and Pricing

The inhalable coffee tubes are sold individually for $3 USD each. For those wanting to try multiple doses, a pack of three tubes is available at a discounted price of $8 USD. Each tube is self-contained and portable, making it easy to carry in a pocket or bag. The compact design mimics that of a lipstick, emphasizing its on-the-go functionality. Despite the small size, each tube contains a full 100mg dose of coffee powder, aiming to replicate the intensity of a traditional espresso.

Behind the Product: Who Made It?

This innovative coffee form was created through a partnership between David Edwards, a professor of biomedical engineering at Harvard University, and Thierry Marx, a chef known for his work in molecular gastronomy with Persian influences. The duo previously collaborated on an inhalable chocolate product, showcasing their shared interest in transforming traditional consumption methods into new sensory experiences. Their work often explores how food and drink can be delivered beyond conventional eating and drinking, focusing on direct absorption and novel user interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee is in one inhalable tube?

Each inhalable coffee tube contains 100mg of coffee powder, which is approximately equivalent to the dose found in a single shot of espresso.

How do you use inhalable coffee?

You pull the tube apart, place the open end in your mouth, and inhale deeply to draw the coffee powder into your mouth and respiratory system.

What does inhalable coffee taste like?

The article does not describe the specific flavor profile, but it is designed to deliver the intensity of an espresso shot, suggesting a strong and concentrated coffee taste.

Who created inhalable coffee?

Inhalable coffee was developed by Harvard biomedical engineering professor David Edwards and French chef Thierry Marx, who also previously created inhalable chocolate.

How much does it cost?

A single tube costs $3 USD, while a pack of three tubes is priced at $8 USD.

Is hot water needed to use it?

No, inhalable coffee does not require hot water, a coffee maker, or any preparation—it is consumed by inhalation.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Espresso Lovers

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for a bright, juicy espresso with notes of blueberry and citrus. For a deeper profile, their Yirgacheffe offers floral tones and sweet berry complexity. Both single origins highlight the intensity and clarity that espresso enthusiasts appreciate. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.