Coffee capsules are a growing trend in Germany, with ever-increasing consumption. However, the environmentally harmful disposal of conventional capsules is increasingly being criticised. The company NatureCups now offers an alternative: the first certified organic coffee capsule that consists of 100 per cent organic raw materials and is completely biodegradable in domestic compost.
The shell of the capsule consists of a mixture of Glucose, sugar and starch from vegetable waste, while the contents consist of high-quality organic coffee. Packaged in three-ply filter paper made from plant fibres, the capsule promises environmentally friendly enjoyment. Even the cardboard packaging of the capsules is made from plant-based materials. According to the developers, the capsules dissolve after six to eight weeks completely in compost and can be used as plant fertiliser.
Thomas and Marzena Benecke, the founders of NatureCups from Cologne, developed the product to reduce the annual waste of around 3.5 billion conventional coffee capsules, which, according to estimates, generate 13,500 tonnes of waste from aluminium, plastic and paper. „We wanted to find a solution that Pleasure and environmental protection united,“ explains Thomas Benecke. Both founders have years of experience in the coffee and espresso machine trade and have incorporated this expertise into the development of NatureCups.
Another advantage of the capsules is their Compatibility with all standard Nespresso-compatible machines, including models from Delonghi, Krups and Philips. Compared to alternative capsules from other suppliers, which often have sealing problems that lead to water leaks, the Beneckes claim that their capsules have a particularly stable seal that enables optimum flavour.
The coffee in the capsules comes from organic cultivation in Central and South America and India. The beans are gently roasted in Germany using a traditional drum roasting process that takes up to 18 minutes. This allows the up to 800 flavours of the coffee to fully develop. The use of additives is deliberately avoided in order to preserve the natural flavour. NatureCups also pursues a sustainable approach throughout - from capsule production to packaging and shipping with DHL Go Green.
For coffee lovers who do not have Nespresso-compatible machines, the NatureCups online shop offers a selection of beans for other preparation methods. „We want to ensure that everyone who values sustainability can find the right coffee here,“ emphasises Marzena Benecke.
Source: NatureCups
