#FoundersFridays: Meet Tamim and Rahaf Lymoni

#FoundersFridays is an interview series about Amsterdam’s wellbeing economy: for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. Each frontrunner answers questions on their entrepreneurial journey, learnings, milestones, and bottlenecks, as well as on Amsterdam’s and the Dutch impact and innovation ecosystem. It’s a platform for entrepreneurs to speak their minds freely and pass on their learnings to anyone considering founding an enterprise.

This #FoundersFridays interview is with Tamim and Rahaf Lymoni, founders of Daffee. The fruits of the date palm have been eaten for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until recently that people discovered the benefits of the date beans. These beans are usually thrown away, but like the dates, they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Daffee created an innovative alternative to coffee, made from date beans.

Why did you start Daffee?

We all love coffee! However, coffee impacts the climate and vice versa. The production of coffee often leads to deforestation, posing a threat to our environment. As climate change intensifies, predictions show that coffee production could be reduced by 50% in the coming years, impacting the industry and coffee lovers alike.

The journey of Daffee started with a stomach issue of Rahaf in 2013. Due to post-surgery restrictions, she was missing out on crucial nutrients. After consulting specialists for a solution, she was advised to eat dates, because of their tremendous nutritional value.

Date beans are usually wasted and thrown away, both by private consumers and in the production processes. After finishing her master's degree in Innovation at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Rahaf started experimenting with date beans, based on her need for a healthy and nutritious alternative to coffee. She immediately saw the business opportunities, but it seemed impossible at the time because of the war in her native Syria. The timing to start a business there didn’t seem right. Years later, she made her dreams come true and, together with Tamim, launched Daffee in the Netherlands.

Can you tell me something about this process?

Date fruits are used in over 70% of energy bars worldwide. Additionally, date syrup has become a popular alternative sweetener to sugar. However, this widespread consumption of dates has led to millions of tons of wasted date beans. 

The production process of Daffee closely resembles that of coffee. We utilize coffee roasting and grinding machines, but we add our touch of magic to create a taste and structure that closely resembles traditional coffee. With Daffee, you can enjoy the same ritual of coffee, from the rich flavor to the inviting aroma, while reducing your carbon footprint. Our commitment to sustainability means that every cup of Daffee contributes to protecting the environment.

Why in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a hub of innovation and sustainability, providing an ideal environment for Daffee's operations. The city is known for its progressive attitude towards sustainable businesses. Additionally, Amsterdam's central location in Europe makes it convenient for distribution across the continent.

What is the best (career) advice you have received?

The best career advice we've received is to keep learning and embrace failure as an opportunity for growth. Continuous learning keeps you adaptable in an ever-changing world, and viewing failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback can lead to valuable insights and resilience.

What is a recent win for Daffee?

A recent win moment for Daffee was securing a partnership with a major retailer and expanding into new markets, showcasing the growing demand for sustainable coffee alternatives. 

What is the goal of Daffee for the coming months?

We want to increase brand awareness, expand our product line, introduce whole beans Daffee, and enhance its sustainability initiatives by sourcing the byproducts locally. And we are optimizing our operations for efficiency and scalability to meet the growing demand. 

If you’re an Amsterdam-based founder working on an innovative solution that solves an urban or social challenge, and you’d like to share your story with our audience, email impact@amsterdam.nl