Science in a Can: Testing Unconform’s Functional Cold Brews
Writer’s note: Even though these products were gifted to me, all the thoughts and opinions shared here are completely my own. My reviews are based on my personal experience with the products, aiming to give you an honest and unbiased perspective.
What I Tried
I was recently given samples of three nootropic coffee blends. While the flavour profiles weren’t quite for me, I was intrigued by the science behind them. Each is designed with a different wellness angle in mind, combining Arabica coffee with adaptogens, vitamins, or botanicals. Here’s what’s inside.
Flat White Cold Brew
Arabica Coffee: Over 100mg of caffeine per can
Ashwasandha: A traditional herb for managing stress
Ginkgo Biloba: Sharper focus
Vitamin B12: An essential nutrient for improving energy
Mocha Oat Brew
Arabica Coffee: Over 100mg of caffeine per can
Niacin (Vitamin B3): Reduces inflammation and promotes healing
Biotin (Vitamin B7): Boosts elasticity and smoothness
Cacao: Powerful antioxidant
Salted Caramel Latte Cold Brew
Arabica Coffee: Over 100mg of caffeine per can
Inulin: A natural prebiotic extracted from Jerusalem Artichoke
Turmeric: Reduces inflammation
Ginger: A natural herbal remedy
How to Enjoy It
Best served chilled, straight from the can, or poured over ice for a refreshing boost. Shake gently before opening for the smoothest pour.
The Science
The idea is simple: combine the familiar stimulation of coffee with ingredients that may support stress management, cognitive clarity, skin health, or digestion.
Let’s take a closer look.
Flat White Cold Brew - Focus and Calm
This blend centres around cognitive support. With over 100mg of caffeine per can, you’re getting the equivalent of a strong coffee, which is well-established for boosting alertness and reaction times.
The addition of Ashwagandha is interesting: traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, it’s been studied for its potential to reduce cortisol levels and help the body manage stress. Ginkgo biloba, often marketed for sharper memory and concentration, has mixed research results - some studies suggest small improvements in focus, others show little effect. Finally, Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell production and neurological function, so if you’re deficient, supplementation can indeed improve energy levels and reduce fatigue.
Mocha Oat Brew - Skin and Cellular Health
This version takes a beauty-from-within approach. Alongside caffeine, it contains Niacin (Vitamin B3), which has an established role in skin barrier function and can help reduce inflammation. Biotin (Vitamin B7) is often linked to hair, skin, and nail health, although strong evidence is mostly seen in people with existing deficiencies.
The inclusion of cacao provides polyphenols - plant-based antioxidants that may help reduce oxidative stress, which is one factor in skin ageing. The theory is that by tackling inflammation and oxidative stress, your skin’s natural glow is better supported, though results will vary from person to person.
Salted Caramel Latte Cold Brew - Digestion and Immunity
Here, the focus shifts to gut health. Inulin, a prebiotic fibre extracted from Jerusalem artichoke, has good evidence behind it for feeding beneficial gut bacteria, supporting digestion, and potentially improving regularity.
Turmeric and ginger are both widely studied for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has shown promise in reducing systemic inflammation, though bioavailability is a challenge without added black pepper extract. Ginger is better supported for aiding digestion, reducing nausea, and even helping with mild muscle soreness.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Each blend is formulated with well-studied functional ingredients
Over 100mg caffeine per can offers a reliable energy boost
Covers a range of health areas (focus, skin, digestion)
A novel way to combine coffee with nootropic and wellness trends
Cons
Flavour may not appeal to everyone
Some ingredient benefits (e.g. ginkgo, biotin) are less proven in healthy populations
Effects are likely subtle and vary from person to person
Functional benefits may take regular use to notice
Price & Where to Buy
At the moment, you can only snag yourself Unconform coffees from their own website, but rumour has it they’re going to be sneaking into popular shops pretty soon!
Flat White Cold Brew (6 pack) - £14.99
Mocha Cold Brew (6 pack) - £14.99
Salted Caramel Latte Cold Brew (6 pack) - £14.99
Subscribe to Unconform and get a 20% recurring discount and free shipping. You can choose delivery every 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks.
Final Thoughts
Even if the taste wasn’t to my liking, the formulations are thoughtfully designed. The caffeine provides the backbone of alertness you’d expect from coffee, while the added botanicals and vitamins target stress management, skin health, or digestion. The science varies in strength; some ingredients have solid backing, while others are more promising than proven, but if you’re interested in functional beverages, these nootropic brews are an innovative way to combine your daily coffee with a wellness boost.
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Hana Ames is a professional content writer with hundreds of pieces of content under her belt. She is a cat and dog mama, a feminist, and a musical theatre fan, who enjoys cooking, playing board games and drinking cocktails. She has been writing professionally since 2018 and has a degree in English. Her website is www.hrawriting.com, and she is always interested in discussing exciting new projects to see how she can help your business grow. Catch her on Twitter @hrawriting, Instagram @hrawriting and Facebook: www.facebook.com/hrawriting
