Coffee cherries are the fruit that grow on coffee plants and contain the coffee beans. While coffee beans are commonly dried, roasted, and brewed into the coffee drinks we know and love, the fruit that encases the beans is less commonly consumed. So what happens if you eat a coffee cherry?
Can you eat coffee cherries?
Yes, coffee cherries are edible and can be consumed straight off the plant. The taste and texture of the fruit varies depending on the variety and ripeness, but generally it is described as having a sweet, floral flavor somewhat like a cranberry. The flesh is mushy when ripe with a jelly-like texture encasing the coffee beans.
Are coffee cherries good for you?
Coffee cherries contain some important nutrients and antioxidants that make them a healthy addition to your diet. Some of the main nutrients and compounds found in coffee cherries include:
- Caffeine – Coffee cherries contain caffeine like the beans, though in smaller amounts. An average cherry contains around 0.5-1 mg caffeine.
- Polyphenols – These antioxidant compounds help combat inflammation and disease. Coffee cherries contain chlorogenic acids, a type of polyphenol.
- Vitamin E – This fat-soluble vitamin acts as an antioxidant. About 7-8 cherries provide around 14% of your daily vitamin E needs.
- Potassium – With about 288mg per 100g serving, coffee cherries offer potassium needed for heart, nerve and muscle function.
- Niacin – This B vitamin helps convert nutrients into energy. You get around 1mg per 100g serving of cherries.
Overall, the nutritional profile of coffee cherries includes beneficial vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and a small caffeine kick. Eating the whole fruit provides more nutrients than just the beans alone.
Do coffee cherries taste good?
The taste of ripe coffee cherries is generally described as sweet, with notes of berry, citrus, chocolate or honey depending on the variety. When perfectly ripened, most coffee cherries are pleasant to eat right off the branch.
Here are some more details on the flavor profile:
- Sweetness – Coffee cherries contain natural sugars that give them a sweet taste, akin to fruits like cranberries, grapes or blueberries.
- Acidity – There is a subtle bright, fruity acidity reminiscent of citrus fruits like oranges or lemons.
- Floral notes – The flavor often has a pleasant floral quality with flowery nuances.
- Fruit flavors – Depending on the variety, you may taste notes of blackberry, cherry, apple, strawberry, peach or plum.
- Chocolate/honey – Some varieties have deeper, richer flavors like dark chocolate or honey.
The pulp surrounding the beans is where most of the sweet, fruity flavor comes from. The beans themselves are quite bitter and not very tasty on their own. As coffee cherries ripen, they tend to become softer and sweeter in flavor.
Are there any side effects to eating coffee cherries?
For most people, eating coffee cherries in moderation will not cause any negative side effects. However, there are some things to be aware of:
- Caffeine – Coffee cherries contain caffeine, so eating a lot may cause similar side effects as other caffeinated foods like anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, or rapid heartbeat.
- Pesticides – Non-organic coffee may be sprayed with pesticides, which can be harmful in large amounts. Choose organic cherries when possible.
- Acid content – The acidic pulp could cause stomach discomfort if eaten in excess, especially for those with ulcers or reflux issues.
- Allergies – Some people may be allergic to coffee cherries. Discontinue use if any signs of allergic reaction develop.
When enjoying coffee cherries in moderation, most people do not experience any significant side effects. But it is still a caffeinated fruit, so be mindful of your intake.
What do coffee cherries taste like?
Coffee cherries have a unique sweet-tart flavor often described as a cross between a cranberry, grape and blueberry. The taste is much more fruity and sweet compared to the beans. Here are some of the common words used to describe the taste:
- Sweet
- Tart
- Fruity
- Bright
- Citrusy
- Floral
- Berry-like
When ripe, the flavor is likened to a cranberry or cherry with a honeyed sweetness and slight floral nuances. There can also be chocolatey notes depending on the coffee variety. The pulp has a bright, fruity acidity similar to citrus with a jelly-like texture when ripe. Green underripe cherries tend to be quite tart and sour before reaching their peak ripeness.
Do coffee cherries get you high?
No, coffee cherries do not contain enough psychoactive compounds to get you high in the same way as drugs or alcohol. However, they do contain small amounts of caffeine which is a stimulant. The caffeine content in coffee cherries includes:
- An average coffee cherry contains 0.5-1 mg of caffeine
- This is much less than the 60-120 mg in a cup of brewed coffee
- Caffeine levels vary depending on cherry ripeness and variety
- Eating 5-10 cherries provides about the same caffeine as a decaf coffee
While coffee cherries won’t get you buzzed in the way coffee drinks can, eating a lot of the fruit may provide a gentle energizing lift from the natural caffeine. But the amount needed to feel any stimulant effect would be very high due to the low caffeine levels per cherry. In moderation, most people do not report feeling any “high” from eating the fruit.
Do coffee cherries contain caffeine?
Yes, coffee cherries do contain caffeine like the coffee beans they encase. However, coffee cherries have much lower caffeine levels compared to an actual cup of coffee brewed from the beans.
On average, a single coffee cherry contains between 0.5-1 mg of caffeine. In comparison, a typical cup of brewed coffee made from roasted coffee beans contains around 60-120 mg caffeine. So the caffeine content is quite minimal.
Since the average person eats coffee cherries in relatively low amounts as a fruit snack, they do not provide a significant source of caffeine. But the compound is present, so those highly sensitive to caffeine may still want to moderate intake.
Can you eat coffee beans?
Yes, you can eat coffee beans straight after drying them but before roasting. However, raw coffee beans are not the most pleasant snack due to their tough texture and very bitter, acidic taste. Most people find dried coffee beans unpalatable.
The compounds that give coffee its distinct aroma and flavor – like oils, acids and other chemicals – fully develop during the roasting process. Green, dried beans lack these taste compounds. They also contain higher levels of tannins which make them quite bitter and astringent.
While eating a few raw coffee beans likely won’t harm you, it’s not an enjoyable experience for most people. Roasting transforms the intense bitterness into a more mellow, aromatic flavor that is much more palatable.
What vitamins and minerals are in coffee cherries?
Coffee cherries contain an array of healthy vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Some of the main nutrients found in coffee fruit include:
| Vitamin/Mineral | Amount per 100g |
|---|---|
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 1 mg |
| Vitamin E | 0.19 mg |
| Potassium | 288 mg |
| Phosphorus | 42 mg |
| Magnesium | 13 mg |
| Calcium | 43 mg |
Coffee cherries also contain polyphenol antioxidants like chlorogenic acids. The fruit is low in calories, fat, and sugar. Overall the nutritional profile is quite healthy and provides important vitamins, minerals and compounds like vitamin E, potassium, niacin and magnesium.
Can you brew coffee cherry tea?
Yes, the pulp and skin of coffee cherries can be brewed into a tea. Coffee cherry tea has a sweet, fruity flavor and contains antioxidants and a small amount of caffeine.
To make coffee cherry tea:
- Add around 5-10 chopped cherries to 8 oz hot water
- Let steep for 5-10 minutes
- Strain the cherries and skins with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Sweeten if desired and enjoy!
The resulting coffee cherry tea will have notes of cranberry, citrus and berry. You can also dry the cherries and grind them into a powder to make tea. Dried coffee fruit powder is available online or at some coffee shops as well. Enjoy coffee cherry tea hot or chilled over ice.
Do animals or humans eat coffee cherries?
Both animals and humans consume coffee cherries as a food source:
- Humans – Many human cultures eat coffee cherries straight from the tree as a sweet, energizing snack.
- Birds – Birds like thrushes and wild turkeys devour ripe coffee cherries, playing a role in seed dispersal.
- rodents – Rodents like agoutis nibble on fallen cherries.
- Bats – Fruit bats such as the Jamaican fruit bat enjoy the sweet pulp of coffee cherries.
- Monkeys – Capuchin and howler monkeys in Central America eat the fruit.
- Insects – Beetles and fruit flies feed off the sugars in ripening cherries.
The sweet, caffeinated fruit provides an attractive energy source for many animals. Humans also value the fruit for its taste and pick cherries directly from the coffee plant to eat.
What color are coffee cherries when ripe?
Coffee cherries turn a deep red color when fully ripe and ready for picking. As cherries ripen on the coffee plant, they transition from green to bright yellow, then crimson red.
Here is an overview of the color changes in ripening coffee cherries:
- Green – Unripe green cherries are hard and tart with an astringent flavor.
- Yellow – A yellow cherry indicates the beginning stages of ripening as sugars develop.
- Red – Within a few days, yellow cherries turn a vivid cherry-red hue at peak ripeness.
- Dark red – The red skin darkens slightly just before overripening.
Look for plump, smooth cherries with a rich red color. Avoid picking shriveled fruit or any discolored cherries past their prime.
Conclusion
Coffee cherries offer a sweet, nutritious fruit that can be eaten as an energizing snack. The berries provide antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and a small amount of natural caffeine. While not as popular as the coffee beans they contain, coffee cherries can be enjoyed straight from the plant or brewed into a fruity tea. In moderation, eating coffee fruit likely has more benefits than side effects for most people.
