What Happens to Coffee Fruit? (Solved & Explained!)

Coffee fruit, commonly referred to as a coffee cherry, is either used in small amounts for Cascara or as a fertilizer on the farms. Otherwise, the cherry is often discarded.

In this article, we will look at the components of the coffee fruit, what happens to it during the coffee-making process, other uses for coffee fruit, and its health benefits.

What is Coffee Fruit?

Coffee fruit is a small, round stone fruit similar to berries, which starts green but turns to darker shades of red as it ripens. 

The coffee fruit is about the size of a grape. It is grown in bunches on the coffee tree. The fruit contains two seeds inside known as coffee beans that are extracted from the fruit. During the process to make coffee, the skin and pulp of the fruit are discarded. 

Is there Caffeine in Coffee Fruit?

Coffee fruit contains caffeine. The amount of caffeine in coffee fruit varies and is significantly low compared to a cup of coffee.

Coffee fruit contains about 6 to 26 milligrams of caffeine per serving, while a cup of coffee contains more than 96 milligrams of caffeine per 240 mL cup of coffee. So, you can easily see that the caffeine percentage in coffee fruit is a quarter the amount of coffee fruit.

Is the Coffee Fruit Poisonous?

Coffee fruits are not poisonous to human beings or animals. Instead, the fruit contains a thin sugar covering inside known as mucilage and a slimy film that protects the beans inside.

Healthline suggests that a dose of 100 to 200 milligrams per day is well tolerated and safe.

Is Coffee Fruit Extract safe?

The moderate use of coffee fruit extract is safe. While if you consume a very high percentage of coffee fruit, it may produce some health risks and side effects.

However, there are still studies on the safety and effectiveness of the human body due to the high intake of coffee fruits extracts. 

But research has been done on animals about taking the effect of taking a high dose of coffee fruit extract. The studies showed that the animals did not show tolerance against the high percentage of coffee fruits extracts.

Is Coffee Fruit Edible?

You can certainly eat coffee fruit as it is essentially a fruit. 

However, we advise you to eat not too many. The pulp surrounding the coffee beans inside the coffee fruit and the fruit’s skin is edible. This drupe-like (stone fruit) coffee fruit is hard to chew down as there is not a lot of pulp surrounding the seeds. 

What Nutrients Are Present in Coffee Fruit?

Coffee fruits are rich in nutrients. Due to the nutritional importance of these fruits, they are called a superfood. Following are the nutritions in coffee fruits;

  • Caffeine – 1 gram of coffee fruit extract contains 4.4 milligrams of Caffeine.
  • Antioxidants.
  • Quinic acid.
  • Vitamin B2.
  • Magnesium. 
  • Chlorogenic acid.
  • Diterpenes.

What Do Coffee Fruit Tastes Like?

Coffee fruits have a sweet and sugary taste with multiple flavors similar to berries, fruits, hibiscus, or even tobacco. 

The flavor of ripped coffee fruit is somewhat pleasant, but it slightly lingers on the tongue. You will enjoy the lovely taste of a small jolt of Caffeine you gt along with it but is no way to replace your favorite fruit.

What Are the Advantages of Coffee Fruit?

Research studies have several health benefits, from boosting immunity to increasing brain functions. 

  1. High antioxidants aid cancer prevention, secure against oxidative pressure, and harm cells.
  2. Advance Brain Health Mind determined neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which causes long haul memory development and capacity.
  3. May lower blood pressure hypertension. Chlorogenic corrosive assist lowers blood pressure and improves heart well-being. 
  4. Being rich in antioxidants (polyphenols), coffee fruits help improve blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

What Does Coffee Fruit Extract Do?

According to Dave Asprey, coffee fruit extract boosts your brain power by 143% by supplementing missing nutrients, which improves focus and the ability to learn quickly.

Is Coffee Fruit Extract the Same as Caffeine?

The coffee fruit extract is not the same as caffeine. However, coffee fruit extract does contain caffeine, with its amounts varying from 0.44% in the multistep extract to 1.04% in the dried form of coffee.

What Can I Do with Coffee Berries?

You can make coffee cherry tea with dried fruit of coffee cherry (Cascara) which smells like chocolate-covered cherries.

After the seeds are removed, the skin of the coffee fruit is dried, aged, and used as tea in many countries. This tea is cherished in coffee-growing communities as it is inexpensive. You can easily buy Cascara from any coffee roaster. The dried coffee fruit has other names as Qishar, Hashana, and Sultana in various parts of the world.

What Beverage is Made From the Fruit of the Coffee Tree?

Cascara, known as coffee fruit tea, is the most commonly made from dried coffee fruits or husk. 

How Can I Make Coffee Fruit Tea?

Below, I have broken down how to make coffee fruit tea (Cascara) in a few simple steps:

  • You will need a kettle, teapot, scale, and Cascara.
  • Step 1 – Boil water at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 93 degrees celsius.
  • Step 2 – Heat up the teapot and mug.
  • Step 3 – Add 20 grams of Cascara to the teapot.
  • Step 4 – Put 400 grams of water in the teapot.
  • Step 5 – Steep for 4 minutes.
  • Step 5 – Pour and enjoy.

Cascara is often drunk with cinnamon and ginger.

Does Coffee Fruit Have the Same Benefits for Everyone?

Although the benefits of coffee berry fruits look promising, that does not mean this fruit is suitable for everyone. 

So you should not add any coffee, fruit supplements, or other forms into your diet unless you first discuss the individual needs and health goals with your physician and dietitian.