Development of a health-promoting Cold Brew RTD drink with proven antioxidant properties

Project implemented under the FENG Programme SMART Pathway – Projects implemented in consortia.

Consortium:

• Hard Beans Sp. z o.o. – Project Leader
• Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Heavy Organic Synthesis ”Blachownia” – consortium member

Project value: 2 882 641,01 zł

Funding amount: 2 131 970,57 zł

Funding for Łukasiewicz – ICSO “Blachownia”: 575 200,00 zł

Implementation period: 01.01.2025 – 31.03.2027

Project aim:

The aim of the project is to conduct research and development work in the mandatory R&D module, which will result in the development and implementation of a health-promoting cold brew RTD drink with proven antioxidant properties and high sensory acceptance, made from cascara and natural additives.

The antioxidant properties of cascara (Spanish for ‘bark’), i.e. the pulp of the coffee fruit, have been confirmed in preliminary tests. The target product will also be distinguished by its natural composition and the use of patented accelerated cold extraction technology, which will translate into high product availability in terms of both price and geography.

The project consists of five tasks. In the industrial research phase, tasks 1-3 will assess the health properties and biological stability (in task 2 also sensory properties) of cascara extract with and without pre-treatment of the raw material. In the experimental development phase, task 4 will involve preservation studies and storage tests, as well as sensory evaluation of the proposed beverage recipes. Task 5 will involve characterising the final composition of the developed beverages and their health-promoting properties after preservation.

The result of the project will be a recipe for a health-promoting RTD drink based on cascara and natural additives, as well as a method for its production. The final recipients will be people exposed to lifestyle diseases, who will be able to reach for affordable drinks based on bioactive substances of natural origin with identified and beneficial preventive effects. The high polyphenol content and high antioxidant potential will neutralise free oxygen radicals generated by adverse environmental influences, thereby increasing the ability to prevent many health complications, delay the ageing process and reduce the risk of cancer.

The project will only include the R&D module as compulsory, without facultative modules.