Why I Created Lilypads: The Journey from Idea to Reality
Why I Created Lilypads: The Journey from Idea to Reality
Like most good ideas, Lilypads started with a simple question: Why are we still using plastic coffee stoppers? Every time I grabbed a to-go coffee, I found myself tossing yet another tiny, pointless piece of plastic into the trash. It was frustrating—especially knowing that billions of these things end up in landfills and oceans every year. There had to be a better way.
From Idea to Experiment
The first concept for Lilypads was straightforward: What if you could replace those wasteful plastic stoppers with something edible? The goal was clear—create a coffee topper that sealed the lid while being 100% waste-free and enjoyable to eat.
I started with the obvious approach: a direct copy of the plastic stoppers, but made from a biscotti-like material. Early versions were shaped to fit snugly into standard coffee lids, just like their plastic counterparts. But right away, there were problems:
- Fragility: The narrow shape crumbled too easily, making it unreliable.
- Mold Issues: Finding the right food-safe molds that could withstand high temperatures and maintain consistent sizing was a challenge.
- Flavor & Texture: Some batches were too hard, others too soft. Some soaked up too much coffee and disintegrated.
Iteration, Iteration, Iteration
Solving these problems meant dozens of recipe tests. I experimented with different flours, sweeteners, and binding agents to create something that was firm enough to hold up but soft enough to enjoy. Balancing structure and taste took months.
Meanwhile, I was also wrestling with the mold design. The original shape just wasn’t working—so I stepped back and rethought the entire approach. Instead of mimicking plastic stoppers, why not reimagine the whole concept? That’s when the idea of a round topper took shape.
The Lilypad Design: A Functional & Beautiful Solution
The round design solved multiple issues at once:
✔ More surface area = more stability on the lid
✔ Better coffee heat retention
✔ Aesthetically pleasing, mimicking an actual lilypad
✔ Easier to bake consistently in larger batches
The final recipe and mold design came together through sheer persistence. I swapped out ingredients, adjusted the baking process, and refined the shape until it worked seamlessly. After countless rounds of R&D (and a lot of coffee), Lilypads became what they are today—a simple, effective, and delicious solution to single-use plastic waste.
The Future of Lilypads
Lilypads started as a frustration, turned into an obsession, and now, it’s a reality. But the journey doesn’t stop here. I’m constantly looking at ways to improve, expand flavors, and help more people make the switch away from plastic.
Because at the end of the day, small changes add up—and if one tiny coffee topper can spark a movement toward sustainability, I’d say it was worth every test, tweak, and coffee-fueled late night.