Are coffee cherry fruit edible? Discover the Superfood Power

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

While most people are familiar with coffee beans, a staggering amount of the coffee cherry fruit is often discarded as waste. But the fruit that encases the precious beans is not only edible but also a nutrient-dense superfood, rich in antioxidants and health benefits. This article will delve into the edibility and uses of the often-overlooked coffee cherry fruit.

Quick Summary

The coffee cherry fruit is edible and packed with antioxidants, fiber, and protein. Often discarded during processing, its skin and pulp are used to make cascara tea, powders, and extracts. It provides a moderate energy boost and offers cognitive and immune system support.

Key Points

Edible Fruit: The ripe coffee cherry fruit is edible and has a sweet, delicate flavor reminiscent of watermelon or red currant.
Antioxidant Powerhouse: The fruit is extremely rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols, often exceeding the levels found in blueberries and pomegranates.
Cognitive Enhancer: Compounds in coffee fruit extract have been shown to increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein vital for brain health and cognitive function.
Low Caffeine Content: The fruit contains significantly less caffeine than roasted coffee beans, providing a mild energy boost without the jitters associated with regular coffee.
Versatile Uses: It can be used to make cascara tea from the dried skins, concentrated extracts, juices, powders, and syrups.
Food Safety: Consuming dried cascara from reputable producers is generally safe, but improperly handled fruit can carry a risk of mold and mycotoxins.
Caution for Pets: The caffeine in coffee cherries is toxic to pets, and they should be kept out of reach.

The Surprising Edibility of the Coffee Cherry

Yes, the ripe coffee cherry fruit is edible, offering a sweet flavor with notes of watermelon or red currant. Traditionally, the focus has been on the beans inside for brewing coffee, but in coffee-producing regions like Yemen and Bolivia, the fruit has been used for centuries to make beverages like cascara tea. Unlike other fruit, the coffee cherry is mostly skin and a thin layer of pulp, making it less satisfying to eat raw in large quantities. However, its potential for nutritional and sustainable use is significant, turning a former waste product into a valuable ingredient.

Nutritional Profile of the Coffee Cherry

Despite being mostly skin and a thin pulp, the coffee cherry is a nutritional powerhouse. The skin, pulp, and mucilage contain a high concentration of beneficial compounds, making it a source of antioxidants, fiber, and protein.

Antioxidants: The coffee cherry is exceptionally high in antioxidants, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, with some studies suggesting it has more antioxidant capacity than blueberries.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Coffee fruit concentrate has been shown to increase levels of BDNF, a protein that supports neuron growth and protects against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Fiber and Protein: The fruit contains significant amounts of fiber and protein, contributing to a healthy digestive system and overall wellness.
Vitamins and Minerals: It provides a good source of vitamins like vitamin C and minerals such as potassium and iron.

Comparing Raw Coffee Cherries to Processed Products

While eating the raw fruit is possible, processed forms like cascara and extracts offer a different nutritional experience. The chart below provides a comparison.


Feature	Raw Coffee Cherry Fruit	Cascara (Dried Cherry Skins)	Coffee Fruit Extract	Cascara Simple Syrup
Preparation	Eaten directly off the tree when ripe.	Dried skin and pulp are steeped in hot water like tea.	Concentrated liquid, tablet, or capsule.	Cherry skins boiled with water and sugar.
Flavor Profile	Sweet, with notes of watermelon, cherry, or apricot.	Sweet and fruity, with notes of rosehip, hibiscus, or tamarind.	Mild to neutral, depending on processing.	Sweet, concentrated fruity flavor.
Nutritional Content	High in antioxidants, fiber, protein, and vitamins.	High in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber.	Highly concentrated source of antioxidants, especially BDNF-enhancing compounds.	Primarily sugar, with some antioxidant benefits.
Caffeine Content	Trace amounts, significantly less than roasted beans.	Mild caffeine content, less than a cup of black tea.	Variable, typically 5–20 mg per serving.	Contains some caffeine from the cascara.

Versatile Ways to Incorporate Coffee Cherry into Your Diet

Beyond enjoying the ripe fruit straight from the source, there are several popular methods for consuming the coffee cherry and its byproducts. These methods range from simple infusions to modern extracts and powders.

Cascara (Coffee Cherry Tea): The most common way to use the fruit is by brewing the dried skins into a tea. The result is a mild, sweet, and fruity beverage with a flavor profile distinct from brewed coffee. It can be enjoyed hot or cold-brewed and mixed with spices like cinnamon or ginger.
Juice and Syrups: Some companies process the fruit into juice or syrup, often combining it with other fruit juices to create refreshing drinks. These can be a healthy way to hydrate and get antioxidants.
Supplements and Extracts: Coffee fruit extract is available in health food stores in various forms, such as capsules or liquid extracts. These are often marketed for brain health due to their high antioxidant content and ability to boost BDNF levels.
Powders and Flour: Dried coffee cherry powder or flour can be added to smoothies, baked goods, and other recipes for a nutritional boost of antioxidants and fiber.

Safety and Considerations

While generally safe for human consumption in moderation, there are a few important considerations regarding the coffee cherry fruit.

Caffeine Content: While significantly lower in caffeine than roasted beans, coffee cherry products still contain some caffeine. Individuals sensitive to caffeine should monitor their intake.
Risk of Mold: If not processed correctly, dried coffee cherries can be susceptible to mold and mycotoxins, which can be harmful. It is important to source products from reputable, trustworthy vendors.
Pets: The caffeine in coffee cherries is toxic to dogs, cats, and other pets. Keep any coffee plants or products out of their reach.
Regulatory Status: The regulatory status of cascara varies. For instance, the European Union has had regulations regarding its sale due to a lack of extensive studies on safety, although it has recently been approved for sale. Always check local regulations.

Conclusion: A Nutritious and Sustainable Choice

To answer the question, are coffee cherry fruit edible? Yes, absolutely. This underutilized part of the coffee plant is not only safe for consumption but also a rich source of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. From brewed tea to extracts and powders, there are numerous ways to incorporate this superfood into a nutrition-conscious diet. By exploring these options, we can tap into a sustainable, eco-friendly food source that offers impressive health benefits, from boosting brain function to supporting the immune system. As research continues to uncover its full potential, the coffee cherry is poised to move from a discarded byproduct to a celebrated health food.

Note: While eating a few fresh, ripe coffee cherries is safe, consuming large amounts can cause digestive issues. It's best to consume processed forms like cascara or extracts from trusted sources.

Authoritative Source

For additional information on the nutritional properties and valorization of coffee cherry pulp, consult scientific literature published on platforms like ScienceDirect. A relevant article discusses the bioactives and utilization of this byproduct for creating functional beverages.

ScienceDirect: Bioactives of coffee cherry pulp and its utilisation for antioxidant beverage production

Frequently Asked Questions

A ripe coffee cherry has a sweet, fruity flavor, with taste notes often compared to watermelon, apricot, or red currant. The pulp is thin and less meaty than a traditional cherry.

Yes, you can eat raw, ripe coffee cherries directly off the plant. However, due to their limited pulp and tough skin, they are not a popular fresh fruit.

Cascara refers specifically to the dried skins and pulp of the coffee cherry fruit, which are used to make a tea-like beverage. It is a processed byproduct of the fruit, not the fresh fruit itself.

Coffee cherries contain significantly less caffeine than roasted coffee beans. While a cup of brewed coffee has around 96 mg of caffeine, a serving of coffee fruit products typically has 5–20 mg.

Coffee cherries are often processed into extracts, powders, and supplements due to their high concentration of antioxidants and potential to boost Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

By upcycling the coffee cherry, which is often discarded during processing, farmers can reduce waste and environmental pollution, while also creating a new income stream.

Yes, coffee cherries, due to their caffeine content, are toxic to pets like dogs and cats. They should be kept away from pets to prevent poisoning.