Cupffee – edible coffee cup

• Developed to reduce sales of single-use containers, the edible and tasty coffee cup revolutionizes the concept of sustainability.

How can you make an edible cup that adds more character to enjoying your coffee and eliminates the need for plastic and disposable paper cups? Cupffee proved it can be done!

Based in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Cupffee is an innovative Eco-FoodTech company producing biodegradable edible coffee cups. Made from all-natural ingredients, they are designed to provide an eco-friendly solution, reduce microplastics and create an alternative to cardboard cups.

The Cupffee Company  brought together the exceptional minds of coffee specialists and lovers with the stated intention of protecting the planet. And he invented the perfect recipe for the crunchy and delicious Cupffee cups, which now accompany people's coffee and tea all over the world.

Single-use cups - a big ecological problem

Disposable cups are a big environmental problem. Made primarily of two materials—a paper layer and a polyethylene layer for water and heat resistance—that are difficult to separate, disposable coffee cups are considered non-recyclable. This makes their removal difficult.

According to researchers from University of British Columbia, Canada, the largest energy consumption in the life cycle of disposable coffee cups is represented by the processing and manufacturing of the raw materials.

Single-use plastics have caused significant damage to the environment and ecosystems globally. The Cupffee Company is determined to break this trend by offering an innovative solution, made from all-natural ingredients, that not only improves the coffee drinking experience, but also tackles the problem of global waste.

Edible coffee cups are made from seven ingredients, including oat bran, wheat flour, sugar and oil. The manufacturing company declares its mission to stimulate the demand for "sustainable edibles".

More than a business

Cupffee, based in Bulgaria, was founded in 2014 and holds a certified patent for its edible coffee cup. The start-up, led by Miroslav Zapryanov as CEO, started industrial production in 2018 and in 2022 reached a production capacity of 2,5 million glasses per month, reaching customers in more than 18 countries around the world . The Bulgarian brand was also served on board Etihad Airways' first plastic-free flight from Abu Dhabi to Brisbane on Earth Day.

"It all started with a dream. During my school years, I was very aware of the plastic waste around me, generated daily by all the cafes in my hometown", recalls Zapryanov. "That sparked a key question: What if I could replace these disposable coffee cups with a sustainable, edible alternative?".

The result is a biodegradable wafer cup with no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives. The start-up describes Cupffee as a "tasty, crunchy and completely organic alternative to all disposable cups".

Cupffee is designed for cold or hot drinks and can withstand temperatures up to 85˚C. "The cup stays crisp for 40 minutes and the liquid inside does not leak for 12 hours", said Zapryanov.

Depending on the size (110 ml for espresso and short drinks, 220 ml for cappuccino, flat whites and tea, etc.), the cups have 56kcal or 105kcal. Also, they are light, having 14g and 26g respectively, and do not change the taste of the contained drink in any way.

Investments for development

Cupffee markets its B2B products to companies in the EU, the Middle East, Australia and the US and has partnered with major coffee maker Lavazza.

But start-up- is looking to increase its presence in the existing market, expand its sales and marketing team and stimulate the demand for sustainable edible products. Obtaining a grant of €1,3 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and closing a first investment round of €500 from Eleven Ventures, will help him achieve these goals in Zapryanov's opinion.

“Our mission? Let's transform the coffee experience and drive sustainable change in the food industry, one Cupffee after another."

Photo source: cupffee.me.; https:// coffeegeek.tv

Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor of Arta Albă

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