CHICAGO — Diamond Brew has launched its first product, brewless coffee in the United States. Diamond Brew, which officially launched earlier this month, is a line of brewless coffee that does not need to be ground, brewed or used with equipment to create a cup of coffee.
Founded by Douglas Yu, a “proud caffeine lover who grew up drinking Nescafe 3 In 1 Instant Coffee since middle school,” was shocked after learning how many US consumers owned a coffee maker after moving to the states.
As a result, Yu decided to explore varieties of coffees based on origins, roasting levels, tasting notes in grocery stores and making his own cup at home. Upon his research, Yu said he fell in love with chocolaty and nutty notes of well-roasted coffee beans without the use of cream, sugar or additives.
The idea was a “light bulb moment” for Yu after walking down the grocery aisle “exploring a type of powder that not only has a large existing consumer base, but also needed a major facelift,” Yu said.
“Instant coffee is the most disdained upon category by coffee drinkers for its burnt, unpleasant flavors,” he said. “Yet, resignedly ends up being the last resort for those who want a quick caffeine fix when coffee machines and cafes are not immediately accessible. From then on, I vowed to create a solution that merges barista quality with instant gratification.”
Thus, Diamond Brew was born. Diamond Brew starts with its Craft Espresso, which offers the base and flexibility for all occasions, according to the company.
“Diamond Brew’s Craft Espresso can replicate the same barista experience by simply taking out the grind, and keeping the coffee,” Yu said.
To prepare the coffee at home, consumers peel the company’s Diamond Brew pod and pour the coffee crystals into a cup of hot or cold water, which will dissolve in seconds with zero residue. The pods feature 160 mg of caffeine, according to the company.
“Brewless coffee is truly a modern evolution of instant coffee that meets the increasing demand for hassle-free, high-quality caffeine, and resonates with contemporary consumer lifestyles,” Yu said. “I'm excited to introduce Diamond Brew to the US market. With Diamond Brew, coffee lovers can finally enjoy the taste of freshly brewed coffee without the need for brewing equipment or lengthy preparation times.”
Diamond Brew is a shelf-stable, soluble product that uses a unique processing to lock in the coffee beans’ flavor and aroma at peak level. When a consumer pours the product into a cup of hot water, they may see white crema that slowly forms on the top of their espresso shot, similar to a machine-made coffee, according to the company.
The company is backed by industry leaders and investors, including Michael Costello, chief executive officer of GNC; Dream Ventures; Entrepreneur Ventures; and the Kali Mata family office.
“Diamond Brew represents innovation at its finest in the coffee industry,” Costello said. “I’ve been looking for a product that solves a need for high quality caffeine and convenience, and this is the one. I’m excited to support Douglas Yu and his team as they introduce this revolutionary product to consumers across America.”Enjoying this content? Learn about more disruptive startups on the Food Entrepreneur page.
