Coffee Seeds vs. Coffee Beans: What’s the Difference?

Coffee “beans” and coffee “seeds” are often used interchangeably to refer to the same thing in common language, but technically, there is a difference between the two:

1. Coffee Beans:
   • Coffee beans are the most common term used to describe the seeds of the coffee plant, Coffea.
   • They are called “beans” because they resemble the appearance of legumes or beans.
   • Coffee beans can be further categorized into two main types: Arabica (Coffea arabica) and Robusta (Coffea canephora), each with its unique flavor profile and growing conditions.
   • Coffee beans contain the coffee plant’s seeds, which are extracted from the coffee cherry’s fruit.
2. Coffee Seeds:
   • Coffee seeds, on the other hand, refer specifically to the inner part of the coffee cherry that contains the embryonic plant.
   • Technically, coffee “beans” are seeds, but the term “coffee seeds” is used to emphasize this botanical fact.
   • Coffee seeds are found within the coffee cherry, surrounded by pulp and protective layers.
   • They are the part of the coffee plant that is roasted and ground to make coffee.

In summary, coffee beans and coffee seeds both refer to the seeds of the coffee plant used to make coffee, but “coffee beans” is the more common and accepted term in everyday language. The term “coffee seeds” is a more precise botanical term that highlights the fact that coffee beans are, in fact, seeds contained within the coffee cherry. Regardless of the terminology used, these seeds are roasted and ground to produce the coffee beverage enjoyed worldwide.