Could mesquite coffee lead to the next ‘diamond rush’ for the NC?

• Published date: 19 April 2024
• Author: Sarene Kloren sarene.kloren@inl.co.za
• Publication title: Diamond Fields Advertiser

South African entrepreneur, Brandt Coetzee discovered that when the seedpods of the tree are roasted to enhance their rich caramel flavours it produces a low GI coffee-like brew, that energises, but, without the side effects of caffeine

Since the 19th century, the area has been invaded by alien vegetation, the thorny mesquite tree.

The mesquite tree is an invasive alien vegetation that has taken over 8 million hectares of farmland in the Northern Cape and is considered a huge problem for farmers, having a massive impact on the environment and water resources.

For the past 26 years, two brothers, Aam and Brandt Coetzee have been researching the health and nutritional benefits of the Mesquite tree.

“In 1996, Minister Kader Asmal launched the ‘Working for water campaign’ nationally and I was living in Prieska,” Brandt Coetzee recalls.

“The infestation of mesquite trees, which is alien vegetation plays a major role in depleting water resources. This led me to researching how we can try to reduce their spread in a way that would also benefit the local economy”.

Mesquite powder is considered a superfood as scientists and researchers have discovered its unique restorative benefits for diabetes by regeneration of beta cells in the pancreas, which is vital for diabetics.

The pods produce a powder that can lower the glycemic index of any food that it is added to, meaning that anyone on a low GI diet can still consume carbohydrates. They simply have to add a sprinkling of mesquite powder to the meal.

The brothers started producing pure mesquite powder in supplement form, for blood sugar support, helping diabetics to lower their blood sugar levels.

In 2020, Brandt Coetzee decided to experiment with roasting the pods for a coffee-like brew. They designed a convection oven for dry roasting the pods and after much brewing and sipping, MannaBrew’s Mesquite Superfood Coffee was created.

“Traditionally mesquite trees have been harvested for their wood. I had a furniture export business that was exporting furniture made from mesquite wood to the United States, however, with the rand being strong against the US dollar, it was no longer profitable for...