Atomo Beanless Coffee

I had the opportunity to sample Atomo coffee this past weekend at the New York Coffee Festival, and I must say I was genuinely impressed. I had it as latte, At first sip, the brew harmonized beautifully with oat milk, creating a creamy and full-bodied texture nearly indistinguishable from traditional coffee.

But what truly sets Atomo apart is its innovative and eco-conscious approach to coffee. I'm not really sure how it's constructe, but thought it'd be fun to poke at the ingredient list. Crafted from an intriguing mix of upcycled ingredients, this beverage blends the rich, earthy tones of date and ramon seeds with the nutty hints of sunflower seed extract and millet. The inclusion of fructose and pea protein likely adds to its smooth sweetness, while the unexpected pairing of lemon and guava introduces subtle fruity undertones. Fenugreek seeds might contribute a hint of aromatic spice, and of course, there's the added kick from caffeine.

Coffee, one of the world's most beloved beverages, unfortunately comes with a set of environmental challenges that question its sustainability. Deforestation stands at the forefront of these concerns. Traditional coffee farming often involves clearing vast areas of rainforests to create coffee plantations. This not only leads to a significant loss of biodiversity but also disrupts local ecosystems, affecting both flora and fauna. As forests act as carbon sinks, their destruction contributes to increased carbon dioxide levels, exacerbating climate change.

Another challenge is the overuse of water and agrochemicals. Coffee plants require a substantial amount of water, and in regions where water is scarce, this can strain local resources and lead to conflicts. Moreover, to combat pests and improve yields, many farmers rely heavily on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. These chemicals can leach into the soil and water systems, posing health risks to local communities and harming aquatic life. Additionally, the volatility of coffee prices on the global market can lead to economic instability for farmers, pushing them towards unsustainable practices in a bid to increase yields. These multifaceted challenges highlight the pressing need for sustainable coffee production methods.

Atomo helps with both of these. I hope it finds a market. I'm a picky latte drinker and it cleared my bar, so it has the potential for sure!

This roast actually works just fine as a quality coffee! I was gifted these grounds from a friend and didn't pay much attention to it, other than wondering why he gave me ground coffee. After sampling the coffee, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was composed of half beanless coffee. So, I suppose it passed my blind taste test! It had great mouthfeel and a balanced, flavorful impression. It presented as a medium with milk chocolate complementing several layers of flavor. I'm not sure how I feel about drinking something with caffeine as an added ingredient (or how Atomo calls food ingredients as "upcycled"), but I do know that I appreciate Atomo's stated environmentally responsible ethics.

Cupping Method:Vietnamese drip, cream with no sweetener

I sampled the Flagstaff earlier in the week and the Dark today. I was more aware of this roast tasting like "not coffee". If you were deciding between the two, I would go for the Flagstaff. The advertised tasting notes of caramel, dried fruit, and bittersweet were spot-on.

Cupping Method:Vietnamese drip, cream with no sweetener

I don't think this is drinkable as straight espresso but it works with milk OK...but not good enough for me to order it over any coffee. I don't really know how to score it.

I really like the environmental principles here and gave this multiple shots, but the big thing for me is mouthfeel. It's somehow a bit sticky and thin at the same time, and I think it tastes off, like a one note, tart date forward pull.

Cupping Method:Espresso. Best was oat milk latte.