UK’s first biodegradable Swiss Water Decaff coffee capsules launched

A caffeine detox used to mean mugs of insipid instant decaff coffee made from the poorest quality beans.

However, there’s good news for coffee lovers enduring a New Year caffeine detox with the launch of the UK's first biodegradable and compostable Swiss Water Decaff capsules for Nespresso machines.

> Cornstarch capsules are filled with organic & Fairtrade speciality Arabica coffee.

> Unlike 80% of decaff coffees that use chemicals to extract caffeine from the bean, the Swiss Water® decaffeination process uses spring water and temperature to produce a 100% chemical-free decaff coffee that is 99.9% caffeine free.

> Corn starch capsules can be thrown into standard rubbish bins or council food waste collection bins and will completely disintegrate within 6 months, or can be composted at home. This is in stark contrast to aluminium and plastic Nespresso capsules, which take up to 150 and 500 years to breakdown in landfill, respectively.

> Vegetarian Society have certified the whole Delectable Capsule range, including the Decaff, as Vegan Approved & Vegetarian Approved.


For those taking the caffeine detox plunge, finding a palatable decaff is half the battle considering the beans of choice for most mainstream instant coffee manufacturers are the cheaper Robusta variety.

Featuring hundreds of defects caused by environmental conditions and insect damage, the plight of the committed health conscious coffee drinker doesn’t end there thanks to 80% of decaffeinated coffees reportedly containing traces of the solvents used to extract caffeine from the bean.

So, by the time that jar of instant decaff hits the shelf there’s no way of knowing just what one is drinking. Thanks to methods such as the Swiss Water process though, there is hope for anyone craving speciality coffee without a big kick.

For Nespresso machine owners in particular, West Country coffee house The Foodies Larder have come to the rescue by launching the UK’s first biodegradable Swiss Water coffee capsule.

Using an all-natural, 100% chemical-free decaffeination process, these capsules are filled with organic and Fairtrade decaffeinated coffee and produce a smooth coffee with roasted peanut and cookie dough notes.

Part of their wider biodegradable Delectable Coffee Capsule Range, these speciality decaff coffee capsules also offer any eco-conscious Nespresso coffee drinker a guilt-free alternative to aluminium and plastic capsules, according to The Foodies Larder co-founder, Lex Thornely.

“Throw our cornstarch capsules into standard rubbish bins, council food waste collection bins or just compost them at home and they will completely disintegrate within 6 months. This is in stark contrast to regular aluminium and plastic coffee capsules, which take anywhere between 150 and 500 years to breakdown in landfill.”

Considering 70% of the 200 million coffee capsules bought each year in the UK are reportedly thrown away and end up in landfill, every cup of capsule coffee enjoyed at home creates an incredible legacy.*

In a parting shot, he added: “So our trio of biodegradable capsules are not only helping reduce landfill waste for generations to come, but our organic, Swiss Water Decaff capsules are also minimising the use of pesticides and man-made solvents. So for those wanting to go caffeine-free, our decaff offers the most convenient coffee capsule experience, but without the conscience.”

The full range, including their Peruvian and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe capsules, is available to buy at The Foodies Larder website via Amazon; currently £20 for 40 capsules.

~ENDS~



NOTES TO EDITORS
*Kantar World Panel.

For images, quotes or to sample the capsules or our full range, please call Lex Thornely of The Foodies Larder on 07795564211 or email Lex@thefoodieslarder.com.

- What is the Swiss Water Decaffeinated Process and why 99.9% caffeine free?
The Swiss Water® Process uses the elements of water, temperature and time to create decaff coffee. In their own words: “Swiss Water® is the innovative craft of using pure water to gently remove caffeine. Our 100% chemical free process decaffeinates coffee in small batches meaning we can remove caffeine from very select amounts of Speciality Coffee, grown and harvested with the utmost care. Coffee that once decaffeinated will still taste every bit as delicious as it did before we got our hands on it!”.

In the UK, 99.9% caffeine-free is the recognized standard for decaffeinated coffee based on the maximum allowable caffeine level remaining in a decaffeinated green coffee bean.

Coffee decaffeinated with Swiss Water® Process is guaranteed to be 99.9 percent caffeine free, undergoing regular caffeine level audits to ensure compliance. The Swiss Water® company also produce a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for every batch of beans they decaffeinate.

- Our Swiss Water Decaff Capsule Taste experience:
Our speciality Decaff coffee capsules offer a smooth, medium bodied blend with mild acidity. You’ll love the roasted peanut and cookie dough notes, with a soft-milk chocolate kick. It is also Organic and 100% chemical free thanks to the innovative Swiss Water® process…good for you and the environment!

- Who are The Foodies Larder?
We are proud to be based in Exeter, Devon and have made it our business to source fabulous coffee from the world’s finest coffee growing regions, farmers and roasters. Our commitment to environmentally and socially sustainable practices is particularly reflected in our brand-new range of biodegradable coffee capsules for Nespresso machines.

Our Delectable Coffee Capsule Range features 3 different capsule coffees, including our Peruvian, which is filled with single origin, organic, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Arabica coffee. Our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee capsules are also single origin, organic and Fairtrade Arabica, with our Swiss Water® Decaffeinated capsules filled with organic and Fairtrade Arabica coffee too.

Compatible with Nespresso® machines and made from corn starch, they're the ultimate in eco coffee convenience at home as they'll completely decompose within 180 days, unlike regular capsules that take 150 years.

- What’s the difference between compostable and biodegradable?!
This can be tricky to get one’s head around, but in short…
> Biodegradable is any material that disintegrates in water, soil or air over time with the help of organisms like bacteria and enzymes.
> Compostable also refers to a material that disintegrates with the help of organisms but improves the nutrient levels of the soil or environment within which is breaks down. It also needs to do this at the same rate as the materials with which it is being composted, like food waste.