Tag: Harmala alkaloids

While the coffee plant itself is part of the Rubiaceae family, which contains the Coffea genus, it does not naturally produce harmine in its green state. The answer to whether harmine is in coffee, however, is a bit more nuanced, as a related, but distinct, β-carboline alkaloid, harman, is formed during the roasting process.

A 2022 study revealed that concentrations of harmine in native Banisteriopsis caapi plants showed significant variability, with some samples containing up to 18.27 mg/g. Harmine, a beta-carboline alkaloid, is predominantly found in specific plant species, rather than common dietary foods.