Date Pit Espresso: The Ancient, Caffeine-Free Coffee Alternative Taking France by Storm

Datus. This is the name of this product that wants to steal the show from coffee. "We find the coffee experience. And it’s the only alternative that can be used with all standard coffee machines," says Ayoub Belemlih to Parisien, who assures that the public is won over by this new product. "We have already been invited to more than 80 events since the first version was released in January." The 200g pack is sold for 14.90 euros and 10 capsules for 7.90 euros. Ayoub and his wife Kawtar launched this initiative a year ago, after making a trip a few years earlier to a village in southern Morocco to accompany women as part of an international solidarity project. During this trip, they had met women who roasted date pits in a pan to make a drink. "They told us that this was an ancestral practice. It immediately caught my attention, because in addition, I’m addicted to dates," details Ayoub.

The Val-d’Oisien observed that this "ancestral drink" is not marketed in Morocco and nowhere in the world. "I did some research, and I realized that in Europe, in the 19th century, this drink was known! It disappeared, but is actually part of our heritage." This is how the idea of producing this black powder was born. "It is an ancestral drink that we are actually bringing back to the forefront, at a time when we need it the most. Coffee production has its limits, we know that it leads to deforestation and therefore destroys biodiversity. Yet many people are dependent on coffee. We need an alternative." According to Ayoub’s research on the subject, the date pit, rich in complex carbohydrates, would guarantee a continuous supply of energy and, as a 100% natural product, would have beneficial effects on health.

Datus, manufactured in France, is for the moment only sold online and at events. The powder is produced using the equipment of the Paris Tech network, bringing together the major engineering schools. Ayoub and Kawtar work with interns from the Romain-Rolland high school in Goussainville, as part of a partnership. Next year, they plan a production of around ten tons "to be able to start distributing more widely." The company has already enriched its range with a new product: an original blend of date pits and eucalyptus sap. It does not intend to stop there. "We are currently developing a fresh version, we have already tested it in cold infusion and we are currently working on it with a laboratory. The goal would be to offer a 100% natural energizing drink that could be very interesting for the world of sports."