The coffee cherry's hidden secret; discovering cascara
Imagine holding a ripe coffee cherry in your palm. Inside sit two green coffee beans, the ones we all know and love (when roasted!). But surrounding them is incredible fruity flesh, sweet, aromatic, and completely different from coffee itself. For generations, this exceptional fruit has remained largely undiscovered by the wider world, and I've always felt it represented extraordinary untapped potential.
Cascara is Spanish for "husk", describing that dried coffee cherry, and let me tell you, it tastes nothing like coffee. Nothing at all.
Instead, picture the essence of dried cranberries meeting cherries, with whispers of honey, apricot, and dates dancing across your palate. Our "Cascara Crunch" has been lovingly sundried by the same Colombian farmers I've worked with for years, then expertly light-roasted. We've created something truly exceptional – crunchy, naturally sweet, and utterly unique - the UK's first coffee cherry snack.
A superfruit with serious credentials
This humble dried fruit contains significantly higher levels of antioxidants than celebrated superfoods like blueberries or açai berries. It's also naturally rich in essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and high in fibre.
From a sensory perspective, cascara offers a gentle caffeine lift – approximately one-quarter the caffeine content of coffee – providing sustained energy without coffee's intensity.
Revealing the complete potential of the coffee cherry
We're incredibly excited to bring Cascara Crunch to our customers. This isn't just a new product; it represents the fullest expression of respect for our farming partners and their incredible work.
For years, I've been committed to paying premium prices, well above Fair-Trade, for the highest quality coffee beans, because the dedication of these farmers deserves nothing less. But cascara takes this partnership to a whole new dimension.
We're unlocking the hidden potential of those flavourful, nutrient-rich coffee cherry skins that have been underutilised globally. This not only creates vital additional income for our Colombian farming families who dedicate their lives to every harvest but also uncovers remarkable new flavours and benefits for Coffee Gems customers.
This is about celebrating the complete coffee plant, just as nature intended, and rewarding the full value of what these incredible people cultivate. The story of a coffee cherry is a complete one, and now, we can honour every single part of it.
Endless possibilities for your discovery
Our Cascara Crunch opens up so many possibilities! I really enjoy it straight from the packet as a sophisticated snack, perfect for when you want something naturally beneficial, sweet, and complex. You can also try:
Transforming breakfast by sprinkling it over muesli, adding to your overnight oats, or yoghurt for textural interest and fruity sweetness
Adding cascara into biscuits or artisanal granola, where its natural sweetness and subtle complexity add brilliant depth
Ground cascara for creating unique flour blends or using whole pieces to add an interesting garnish to desserts or cheeseboards – definitely a talking point for your dinner table!
Each use connects you to the complete coffee narrative, from cherry to cup, from farm to table.
Why this matters now
Today, more than ever, we're all looking for products with a story. Cascara Crunch delivers on every level, unlocking the full potential of premium ingredients, supporting farming communities, and delighting us with exceptional, high-quality natural flavours. The UK market has always appreciated products with a purpose, and cascara is the perfect example of ethical sourcing and thoughtful curation. It's the final chapter of the coffee story, from our Colombian farming partners to your home.
I've spent decades curating coffee experiences and building relationships with growers around the world. What I've learned is that some flavours are impossible to describe. It's like trying to put the scent of jasmine into words – the real magic happens when you experience it for yourself.
This product is an extension of my own story. Just as the scent of jasmine and my grandmother's coffee rituals shaped my passion, I believe cascara can create a new connection between you and the extraordinary world of specialty coffee. It's crunchy yet nuanced, naturally sweet yet sophisticated, and completely unlike anything else in your cupboard.
Be among the first in the UK to experience this unique product, you'll find that the journey from cherry to cup holds far more than you've ever imagined.
Ready to discover Cascara Crunch? Visit Coffee Gems and try a sample today. I can't wait to hear what you think.
Ricardo Peña (Founder, Coffee Gems)
