If you are a little adventurous and open minded then eating coffee beans may be your ticket.
Coffee is a drink made by brewing ground coffee beans that have already been roasted. People all over the world drink this dark, complex drink all day long (if you want to learn more about tasty coffee, check out our coffee subscription).
For years, people have been changing how coffee is made. Now, there are hundreds of different ways to get the delicious flavors out of coffee.
That being said, there is one way to drink coffee that is different from the others: eating the coffee beans.
We spoke to Jeff Hong, a Registered Dietitian at Yanre Strength. He said that eating a few roasted beans will give you a short caffeine rush, but not much if you drink a lot of coffee.
The truth is that you can buy covered coffee beans in a lot of places and eat them like candy!
My favorite is espresso beans covered in dark chocolate. I like dark chocolate better than other candies or candy coatings, and I love dark roasted coffee.
You might get some caffeine, but most of it is released when the coffee is brewed, so you probably won’t even get much of that when the beans are broken down.
Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant and the source of one of the world’s most popular beverages But have you ever wondered – can you eat coffee beans?
The short answer is yes, you can eat coffee beans! However, there are some important things to consider before popping them in your mouth
Are Coffee Beans Edible?
Coffee beans are edible in their raw and roasted states. The beans contain various nutrients and plant compounds that may offer some health benefits when consumed.
However, the way the beans are processed and prepared makes a big difference in terms of flavor and nutrition. Let’s take a closer look.
Raw Coffee Beans
Raw coffee beans are referred to as “green” beans because they haven’t been roasted. Green coffee beans are soft, with a grassy flavor and bitter taste.
Chewing the hard, crunchy beans can be difficult and unpleasant. Therefore, raw coffee beans are not widely consumed.
That said, some proponents believe that green coffee bean extract provides more antioxidants like chlorogenic acid compared to regular coffee. But more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits.
Roasted Coffee Beans
Roasting gives coffee beans the signature dark brown color and intensified, nutty flavor that we all know and love.
The roasting process not only changes the beans’ texture and taste but also reduces some of the bitter compounds, making them easier to chew and digest.
So if you want to eat coffee beans, go for the roasted variety. Just keep in mind that roasting decreases the antioxidant content slightly.
Potential Benefits of Eating Coffee Beans
Coffee beans are rich in various plant compounds and nutrients that may be beneficial when consumed in moderation. Here are some of the top health perks:
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Antioxidants – Coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and other polyphenols that act as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants help protect against oxidative stress and lower inflammation.
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Caffeine – The caffeine content is higher in whole beans compared to brewed coffee. Caffeine can boost energy levels, improve mood and enhance brain function.
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Vitamins and minerals – Coffee beans provide small amounts of B vitamins, magnesium, potassium and other minerals.
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Weight loss – Some research indicates the chlorogenic acid in green coffee beans may support weight loss, although more studies are needed.
So by eating the whole beans, you are getting significantly higher amounts of these beneficial compounds compared to drinking coffee.
Potential Downsides of Eating Lots of Coffee Beans
Eating coffee beans in moderation as an occasional treat is unlikely to cause problems. However, regularly snacking on large amounts of beans may result in adverse effects.
Potential downsides of overdoing it on the coffee beans include:
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Gastrointestinal issues – Compounds in coffee beans may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, potentially leading to stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation in sensitive individuals.
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Insomnia and restlessness – Higher caffeine intake from beans can overstimulate the nervous system, making it hard to fall asleep at night.
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Increased anxiety – Excess caffeine consumption may worsen feelings of stress and anxiety in some people.
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Nutritional imbalance – Relying on coffee beans as your sole source of antioxidants and nutrients, rather than a balanced diet, is not ideal.
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Medication interactions – Caffeine can interact with certain medications like thyroid hormones, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs and more.
To avoid these issues, enjoy coffee beans in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Limit yourself to no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day from all sources.
Are Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans Good or Bad?
Chocolate-covered coffee beans have become a popular, sweet and crunchy caffeine fix. But how do these tasty treats impact your health?
On the plus side, the dark chocolate coating provides extra antioxidants like flavonoids. The combined chocolate and coffee bean combo can give you an energizing lift.
However, many chocolate-covered bean products are made with high sugar, high fat milk chocolate – not the healthier dark chocolate. Too many of these high-calorie candies may lead to weight gain over time.
If you want to indulge, look for chocolate-covered beans made with at least 70% cacao dark chocolate and limit your portion size. Or better yet, stick to a handful of plain roasted beans to reap the health benefits without the extra calories.
How Many Coffee Beans Can You Safely Eat?
Coffee beans can be safely enjoyed in moderate portions as an occasional snack. But it’s possible to go overboard.
General guidelines recommend limiting caffeine intake to 400 mg per day or less. The amount of caffeine in coffee beans varies based on the type and roast, but averages around 12 mg per bean.
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By this math, around 33 chocolate-covered coffee beans or up to 50 plain roasted beans would be a moderate serving that fits within standard caffeine limits.
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Consuming 100 mg of caffeine (about 8-10 beans) at one time is considered a moderate dose, while 200 mg (around 17 beans) is considered high.
Of course, these are general guidelines and individual tolerance varies. It’s best to pay attention to how you feel after eating beans and adjust your intake accordingly.
If you experience any adverse effects like jitters, insomnia or stomach issues, take it as a sign to cut back.
The Bottom Line
Coffee beans are completely edible and provide more concentrated amounts of nutrients and antioxidants compared to brewed coffee. Eating beans in moderation may provide health benefits.
However, munching on too many beans, especially on a regular basis, can cause side effects. For the best results, stick to no more than 400 mg of total caffeine per day from beans plus other sources.
Chocolate-covered beans can make for a tasty, caffeinated treat, but limit your portions and check labels since many are high in sugar and fat.
At the end of the day, drinking your morning cup of joe is still the best way to get your coffee fix. But for an energizing snack, a handful of roasted coffee beans can give you your caffeine kick in a crunchy new way.
How To Eat Coffee Beans
There are many ways to eat coffee beans.
Firstly the easiest and purest way in to just chew one in the back of your mouth.
People who roast coffee might do this once in a while, especially when they are first starting out.
If you eat a coffee bean that has just been roasted, you can really tell what the coffee will taste like.
Many artisanal shops now sell chocolate covered coffee beans as a snack or a treat.
They are very popular around Christmas time.
The smooth and sweet chocolate outer layer complements the coarse and bitter coffee in the middle.
You can eat coffee beans in many different ways, such as as a topping for ice cream.
They usually pair well with sweet foods to balance out the bitterness.
What Happens If I Eat Coffee Grounds?
Eating coffee grounds is the same as eating coffee beans.
It will have the same effect as eating the same volume of coffee beans.
That is as long as we are talking about fresh coffee grounds. If they have already been used, a lot of the caffeine will have been taken out, and the coffee grounds will taste bitter and vegetal.
Can You Eat Coffee Beans?
FAQ
Is it safe to eat a raw coffee bean?
Can we eat a coffee bean?
Is A coffee bean Edible?
Can you eat coffee beans by itself?
Are coffee beans safe to eat?
Caffeine levels in coffee beans vary depending on roasting methods and bean type. While you can eat quite a few without exceeding safe caffeine limits, snack varieties are often covered in chocolate and may be unhealthy if consumed in excess. Coffee beans are safe to eat — but should not be consumed in excess.
What is the best way to eat beans?
The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.
How do you eat coffee beans?
One popular way to snack on coffee beans is by sprinkling them into yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, and other recipes that need an extra kick of energy and flavor. Alternatively, they can also be enjoyed straight out of the bag.
Should you eat coffee beans raw or roasted?
Raw beans are very hard and bitter. Roasted beans provide more pleasant, nutty flavors and a satisfying crunch. Remember that adding chocolate or using ground coffee in recipes can make them more palatable. In the end, eating coffee beans here and there is generally safe when done responsibly.