Exploring the Versatility: What is coffee cherry used for? in Health and Nutrition

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

While most of the world focuses on the coffee bean, the coffee cherry fruit that encases it was traditionally discarded, leading to billions of kilos of annual waste. Today, a growing wellness market and sustainable practices have uncovered new uses for this nutrient-dense fruit, prompting the question: what is coffee cherry used for?

Quick Summary

The coffee cherry, once a coffee production byproduct, is now a prized ingredient in various products. Its applications range from brewing cascara tea to producing antioxidant-rich supplements, functional beverages, and even skin care, offering significant nutritional benefits.

Key Points

Cascara Tea: The dried skins and pulp of the coffee cherry are brewed to make cascara, a fruity, antioxidant-rich tea with a lower caffeine content than coffee.
Nutritional Supplements: Coffee cherry extract (CCE) is used in supplements to boost brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein linked to enhanced cognitive function and memory.
Culinary Ingredient: The pulp and liquid are used to create juices, syrups, and flavorings for various food and beverage applications, providing natural sweetness and antioxidants.
Antioxidant Power: Coffee cherries are a potent source of antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids, with some studies suggesting they contain more antioxidants than coffee beans.
Sustainable Solution: Repurposing coffee cherries for products like cascara, compost, or animal feed helps reduce agricultural waste and provides an extra revenue stream for farmers.
Cosmetic Ingredient: Extracts rich in antioxidants are sometimes incorporated into skincare products to help protect against environmental damage and support skin health.
Low-Calorie Energy Boost: Products derived from the coffee cherry offer a healthy energy lift with less caffeine than traditional coffee, preventing the jitters or crashes associated with higher caffeine intake.

The familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee comes from the roasted bean, but the story of coffee begins with the humble cherry—the small, red fruit that grows on the coffee plant. For generations, the beans were prized while the outer layers of the fruit were considered waste. However, a modern shift towards sustainability and a deeper understanding of nutrition has thrust the coffee cherry into the spotlight. Today, it is repurposed into a variety of valuable products, transforming an agricultural byproduct into a powerful superfood.

Cascara: The Ancient Tea from Dried Coffee Cherry Husks

One of the most popular uses for the coffee cherry is creating cascara, a tea-like beverage made from its dried skin and pulp. The word "cascara" comes from the Spanish word for "husk" or "peel". This practice has ancient roots in coffee-growing regions like Yemen and Bolivia, where the beverage is enjoyed for its natural sweetness and fruity flavor profile, often described as notes of hibiscus, cherry, and rosehip. The drink is prepared by steeping the dried husks in hot water, much like a traditional herbal tea. Cascara is praised not only for its unique taste but also for its antioxidant content and mild, sustained energy boost due to lower caffeine levels compared to a standard cup of coffee.

How Cascara is Made and Enjoyed

Making cascara is a simple process:

The coffee cherries are harvested and the beans are removed.
The leftover skins and pulp are carefully dried in the sun, similar to drying raisins.
The dried cascara is then steeped in hot water to create a flavorful brew.
It can be enjoyed hot or cold-brewed for a refreshing, iced beverage.
Spices like ginger and cinnamon can be added for extra flavor, a traditional practice in some cultures.

Coffee Cherry Extracts and Supplements for Cognitive Support

Beyond the tea, coffee cherry extract (CCE) is a potent, concentrated source of beneficial polyphenols and other antioxidants. This extract has gained significant attention in the wellness industry, particularly for its potential to support brain health. Research has found that CCE can increase levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein crucial for protecting the brain and supporting neuron growth, memory, and overall cognitive function. CCE is available in several forms, including capsules, powders, and liquid extracts, making it a convenient way to add a concentrated dose of antioxidants to one's diet.

Culinary Applications: Juices, Syrups, and More

The coffee cherry's sweet, fruity pulp and nutritional density make it an excellent ingredient for modern culinary creations. The pulp is used to create juices, syrups, and flavor enhancers, adding a unique twist to a variety of dishes and beverages. These products are appreciated for their vibrant flavor and the added antioxidant benefits. From adding a distinctive note to smoothies and sauces to creating flavorful, low-calorie beverages, the coffee cherry offers a versatile and delicious element for food and drink manufacturers.

Examples of Culinary Uses

Juices: The liquid extracted from the cherry pulp is rich in polyphenols and vitamins, creating a healthy, hydrating drink.
Syrups: Coffee cherry syrup can be used to sweeten desserts, cocktails, or specialty coffees.
Snack Bars and Snacks: Some companies are upcycling coffee cherry pulp into nutrient-dense ingredients for snack bars and other healthy treats.

Sustainable and Agricultural Uses

For centuries, coffee pulp and skins were simply discarded, which posed a significant environmental challenge due to the sheer volume of organic waste. Now, a key driver behind the renewed interest in coffee cherries is the push for sustainability in the coffee industry. Repurposing the fruit reduces waste and provides additional income streams for farmers. Besides human consumption, the leftover pulp has other practical uses:

Fertilizer and Compost: The pulp and skin are rich in nitrogen, potassium, and other minerals, making them excellent for composting and returning nutrients to the soil.
Animal Feed: In some regions, studies have shown that coffee pulp can be added to animal feed for dairy cattle and pigs, reducing feeding costs without adverse effects.
Skin Care Products: The high antioxidant content of coffee fruit extract is utilized in anti-aging and skin-protective cosmetic products.

Coffee Cherry Products: A Comparative Look


Feature	Roasted Coffee Beans	Coffee Cherry (Cascara/Extract)
Primary Use	Brewed into coffee	Tea, supplements, extracts, food additive
Flavor Profile	Depends on roast; nutty, chocolaty, caramel, earthy	Sweet, fruity, with notes of berries, cherry, and hibiscus
Caffeine Level	High	Low to moderate (approx. 1/4 the amount of brewed coffee)
Antioxidant Content	Contains antioxidants like chlorogenic acid	Extremely high in polyphenols and antioxidants; can exceed blueberries
Form	Roasted, ground beans	Dried husks (cascara), liquid extracts, powders, capsules
Primary Benefits	Energy, focus, alertness	Antioxidant support, brain health (BDNF), mild energy

Conclusion: The Full Potential of the Coffee Cherry

From ancient beverage to modern superfood, the uses for the coffee cherry have evolved dramatically. No longer just a discarded byproduct, this vibrant fruit is now valued for its distinct flavor, robust nutritional profile, and potential health benefits, particularly in supporting cognitive function and providing a healthy dose of antioxidants. For consumers, this opens up a new world of products to explore, from refreshing cascara teas to targeted nutritional supplements. For the coffee industry, it represents a significant step towards more sustainable and holistic production practices, proving that the full potential of the coffee plant extends far beyond the bean.

For more information on the sustainability aspect of coffee byproducts, including potential uses for the coffee cherry, an informative overview can be found on the International Coffee Organization website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, cascara tea does not taste like roasted coffee. It has a distinctively fruity, sweet flavor with notes often compared to red fruit like cherry, hibiscus, or raisin.

Coffee cherry products typically contain much less caffeine than roasted coffee beans. Cascara tea, for example, has about a quarter of the caffeine of a cup of brewed coffee, providing a milder energy boost.

Emerging research suggests that coffee cherry extract may be beneficial for brain health. Studies have linked its consumption to increased levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that plays a role in cognitive function and neuronal growth.

Yes, coffee cherries are edible raw, but they are not commonly consumed this way. The pulp is sweet, but the fruit itself has relatively little flesh compared to the large seed (the coffee bean) and has a leathery texture.

The coffee cherry is the entire fruit, including the outer skin, pulp, and the beans inside. Cascara is specifically the dried skin and pulp of the coffee cherry, used primarily for making tea.

Yes, coffee fruit extract is sometimes used in skincare products. Its high antioxidant content is valued for its potential anti-aging and skin-protective properties, helping combat environmental damage.

Yes, repurposing coffee cherries is a sustainable practice. By utilizing the entire coffee fruit instead of just the bean, coffee farmers can reduce agricultural waste, use the pulp for compost or animal feed, and create a valuable new product.