Broccoli Coffee Is Here

First there were Starbucks’s unicorn frappuccinos. Then there were bone broth lattes. Could broccoli coffee be the next brewing trend?

Australia’s main scientific research agency, CSIRO, thinks it's possible. As reported by Mashable, the organization worked with research and development corporation Hort Innovation to create a nutrient-rich broccoli powder that can be added to recipes for an extra dose of protein and fiber.

Considering that two spoonfuls are equal to one serving of vegetables, the foodstuff could be beneficial to children—and adults—who recoil at the sight of leafy greens. It still tastes like broccoli, but the flavor can be masked by adding it to other foods and drinks, including coffee.

Commonfolk Coffee, a cafe in Mornington, Australia, gave it a go and whipped up a “broccolatte” for brave customers to sample. The beverage was met with some trepidation, with one customer telling local TV station 9 News, “It’s freaky. It shouldn’t be green,” and another describing it as “green milky mush.” Another said she was happy to be making her morning coffee more nutritious.

For those who think greens and caffeine simply don’t mix, CSIRO has a few other suggestions. Instead, try adding the broccoli powder to fruit-based smoothies, soups, and veggie dips (any of these recipes will do the trick). Researchers even used it to create a cheese puff snack that was apparently popular with kids.

The powder is good for you, and it’s also good for farmers, who now have a way to use up unshapely broccoli considered too ugly to sell. The heads of broccoli are dried out and crushed into a powder while retaining the taste, color, and nutrients of the vegetable. This product is part of a larger project to cut down on food waste by creating new products from unwanted produce.

Check out footage of Commonfolk's broccolatte from 9 News below.