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Coffee bean: meaning, definitions and examples

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coffee bean

[ ˈkɒfi biːn ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

drink preparation

A coffee bean is a seed of the coffee plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit often referred to as a cherry. Even though they are seeds, they are referred to as 'beans' because of their resemblance to true beans. The two most economically important varieties of coffee plant are the Arabica and the Robusta; 75–80% of the coffee produced worldwide is Arabica coffee.

Synonyms

coffee cherry, coffee pit, coffee seed.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
coffee bean	Use 'coffee bean' when referring to the roasted or unroasted seeds of the coffee plant, which are used to brew coffee. This term is common in everyday conversation and in the coffee industry. I prefer grinding my own coffee beans for a fresher taste. The coffee beans from Brazil have a distinct flavor.
coffee seed	Use 'coffee seed' interchangeably with 'coffee bean' when emphasizing the botanical aspect of the coffee plant. This term is more formal and scientific. Coffee seeds are typically planted to grow new coffee trees. Researchers are studying the properties of coffee seeds.
coffee cherry	Use 'coffee cherry' when referring to the fruit of the coffee plant that contains the coffee seeds. This term is often used in botany and agriculture. Farmers handpick ripe coffee cherries during the harvest season. The coffee cherry fruit is sweet and often discarded after processing.
coffee pit	Use 'coffee pit' to describe the inner part of the coffee cherry. This term is less common and can be confused with other pits like those in peaches or plums. Inside each coffee cherry, you'll find a coffee pit.

Examples of usage

The coffee beans are roasted before being ground and brewed into coffee.
She ground the coffee beans herself to make a fresh cup of coffee.
The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans filled the kitchen.
I prefer to grind my own coffee beans for a better flavor.
The quality of the coffee beans determines the taste of the coffee.

Translations

Translations of the word "coffee bean" in other languages:

🇵🇹 grão de café

🇮🇳 कॉफी बीन

🇩🇪 Kaffeebohne

🇮🇩 biji kopi

🇺🇦 кавове зерно

🇵🇱 ziarno kawy

🇯🇵 コーヒー豆

🇫🇷 grain de café

🇪🇸 grano de café

🇹🇷 kahve çekirdeği

🇰🇷 커피 원두

🇸🇦 حبوب البن

🇨🇿 kávové zrno

🇸🇰 kávové zrno

🇨🇳 咖啡豆

🇸🇮 kavna zrna

🇮🇸 kaffibaun

🇰🇿 кофе дәні

🇬🇪 ყავის მარცვალი

🇦🇿 qəhvə dənəsi

🇲🇽 grano de café

Etymology

The history of coffee beans dates back to the 10th century in the ancient coffee forests of Ethiopia. Legend says that a goat herder named Kaldi discovered the coffee beans after noticing the energizing effect they had on his goats. The beans were later cultivated in Arabia and the Middle East, where the drink gained popularity. Coffee beans eventually made their way to Europe and the Americas, becoming one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.