MEXICO – A group of students from the Higher Institute of Technology Calkiní in Campeche, managed to get organic coffee from jamaica seeds, reported the News Agency of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT).

The seed contains proteins, amino acids, antioxidants and oils containing unsaturated fats, as well as other beneficial components for health, students explained in an interview with the Conacyt.

”We investigated among farmers and producers and found that the seed is wasted, it is only used to feed the animals,” said student Keren Cristina Balam Tun.

”However, we will want to add value and opted to develop a product that can be consumed by humans,” she added.

The student, who works on the project with his partner Manuel Humberto Gonzalez Chiquini, said they already have registered a substitute for coffee with diuretic and relaxing properties.

”Our goal is to produce a coffee substitute product that is 100 percent organic, free of caffeine and to provide functional properties,’’ said Gonzalez Chiquini.

The Campeche student stressed that so far the benefits found in the coffee they got is that it does not contains caffeine, so it could be consumed by people with diabetes and hypertension since it does not cause stress, even could be taken by pregnant women due to its high protein content.

As part of the product evaluation, young people held a tasting in which participants agreed that difference is not perceived with the traditional coffee, for consistency and smell were very similar.

”It is important to mention that we are not selling a coffee plant coffee, but we are making a coffee substitute; seek to do more tests and to meet 100 percent the features and usefulness of this seed because worldwide there are only about six scientific ‘research,” the students emphasized.

In turn, the project advisor Jorge Avila Ortega said that one approach is to rescue the most important activities of the Yucatan Peninsula, which is agriculture.

”Today is developed based on two products that are the corn and seed pumpkin on the peninsula although we are in fifth place nationally production of jamaica seeds” said Avila Ortega.

 ”Today the seed is pulled, no value, it is a waste, but this project showed that the plant can make full use to make teas and other products, ” he said.

The youth project was awarded at last science fair project Multimedia Continental and will represent Mexico in Science and Engineering Fair in Tunisia.

Source: CONACYT