How Countries Turn Coffee Byproducts Into New Drinks

Coffee drinkers rarely see the tons of fruit pulp, wastewater and coffee grounds left over after roasting and brewing. But around the world, food scientists and producers have found surprising ways to turn those leftovers into functional, tasty and even healthy drinks — without wasting a single part of the coffee cherry.

At least seven countries have developed commercial drinks using coffee byproducts, including Belgium’s white coffee pulp soda, Japan’s sprayable espresso, and Brazilian coffee oil. These innovations reuse everything from pulp to wastewater, creating new value from what was once trash.

Belgium’s White Coffee Pulp Soda

Belgian researchers have extracted a milky-white ingredient from a new variety of white coffee fruit pulp. This material has the same nutritional profile as regular coffee but is easier to digest and offers multiple health benefits. It’s now used to make a coffee-flavored soda, ideal for athletes and people with sensitive stomachs.

Japan’s Sprayable Espresso

Japan’s New Century Food Company recently launched a hit product: a "coffee spray drink" sold in pressurized aluminum cans. Each can contains concentrated coffee liquid that can be sprayed directly into the mouth or diluted with water or hot water. The production process avoids air exposure using ultra-high pressure and carbon dioxide sealing, preserving freshness comparable to premium brewed coffee.

Coffee Waste as Alcohol and Vinegar

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), researchers found that about 15 kilograms of coffee pulp can yield 1 kilogram of 90% alcohol, resulting in a clear, aromatic "Robusta coffee wine" that has gained popularity in Europe and the U.S. Meanwhile, Japanese seasoning companies have created coffee vinegar by fermenting concentrated wet-processing wastewater, yielding a 4.6% acetic acid product rich in flavor and nutrients, now selling well internationally.

Extracting Valuable Compounds from Coffee Waste

Indian scientists have discovered that the sticky mucilage from wet-processed coffee berries can yield 50–120 grams of high-quality pectin per kilogram of fresh coffee cherries — a key ingredient for food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. German researchers have also developed efficient methods to extract caffeine from coffee waste, which is useful in veterinary medicine, cancer prevention, birth control, and as a stimulant in beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Protein and Oil from Coffee Byproducts

In the U.S., companies are scaling up production of protein extracted from coffee pulp, using techniques like cold-press extrusion to create meat-like protein products and enzyme-modified 7S proteins that mimic egg whites. These are emerging as novel ingredients in the food industry. Separately, Brazilian researchers have successfully extracted high-grade edible oil from spent coffee powder and are planning for large-scale production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is white coffee pulp and how is it used?

White coffee pulp is a new variety of coffee fruit husk that, when processed, yields a milky-white extract with the same nutritional content as regular coffee. It is more easily digested and offers various health benefits. In Belgium, it’s used to produce a coffee-flavored soda suitable for athletes and people with digestive issues.

How does Japan’s coffee spray drink work?

Japan’s coffee spray drink comes in a pressurized aluminum can. The concentrated coffee liquid inside can be sprayed directly into the mouth or diluted. The manufacturing process prevents oxidation via ultra-high pressure and carbon dioxide sealing, ensuring freshness similar to freshly brewed premium coffee.

What can be made from coffee wastewater?

Coffee wastewater from wet processing can be concentrated and fermented to produce coffee vinegar with 4.6% acetic acid. It is rich in flavor and nutrients, and has become a popular product in international markets. Additionally, the same wastewater can yield around 4.6% vinegar concentration, usable in culinary applications.

How is caffeine extracted from coffee waste?

German scientists have developed high-efficiency methods to extract caffeine from coffee byproducts. This extracted caffeine is used in veterinary medicine, cancer prevention, birth control, as well as in energy drinks and pharmaceutical products for its stimulating effects.

What products can be made from coffee pulp protein?

In the U.S., coffee pulp is used to produce protein extracts that are turned into meat-like products using cooling templates and extrusion, and egg-white-like substances by modifying the coffee 7S protein with enzymes. These are being explored as novel food ingredients.

Can oil be extracted from used coffee powder?

Yes. Brazilian researchers have successfully extracted high-quality edible oil from spent coffee powder and are preparing for large-scale production, offering a new valuable use for roasted coffee remnants.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Experimental Brews

Try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright, complex fruity notes that pair well with coffee-based cocktails or infusions. Their PWN Golden Mandheling offers heavy body and low acidity—great for experimenting with coffee vinegar or syrup bases. For a balanced cup to test coffee protein or oil infusions, their Yirgacheffe delivers floral and citrus tones. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.