Have you ever tried eating coffee beans? While coffee is delicious to drink, it's also delicious to eat. Perhaps you've heard of a friend or family member who enjoys roasted coffee beans as a snack.
But is it okay to eat them?
The short answer is yes, but in moderation. When you drink brewed coffee, the ground beans are essentially diluted with water (and milk, etc.). However, when you eat coffee beans, you get the full, concentrated effects—both good and bad.
How many grains can I eat?
The amount of beans you can eat will largely depend on your caffeine tolerance. Most people can handle up to 200 milligrams of caffeine in a single dose, with over 400 milligrams per day being the highest. The average caffeine content is roughly equal to consuming five shots of espresso a day or enjoying a double espresso in one sitting.
The amount of caffeine in coffee beans depends on the size and length of roasting. Robusta beans contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans, making them more robust. On average, the popular chocolate-covered coffee beans contain about 12 milligrams of caffeine each.
These numbers mean you can eat up to 33 chocolate-covered beans per day based solely on daily caffeine content, given that you avoid other sources of caffeine, such as espresso. However, if you're following the maximum caffeine limit of 400 mg, you can eat up to 40 beans.
Ways to eat coffee beans
The idea of eating coffee beans has been around for a long time, even before brewing and drinking coffee became the norm. In the past, coffee beans were often mixed with animal fats and eaten as a snack for an extra energy boost. Most people would eat these snacks while traveling, working, or hunting.
There are several ways to turn coffee beans into a tasty snack, whether roasted and sweetened or covered in chocolate. You may have seen chocolate-covered coffee beans on the counter or shelves of your local coffee shop or supermarket, and this is typically the most popular way many people enjoy them. You can also safely eat roasted coffee beans and some types of green coffee beans, as long as you do it right.
Chocolate-covered coffee beans
The most beloved recipe in the coffee bean world, chocolate-covered coffee beans are a popular favorite due to their ability to combine two of the world's most addictive sweets. To begin preparing this delicious treat, you'll need your favorite chocolate, whole roasted coffee beans (medium or dark roast recommended), a microwave, a baking sheet and parchment paper, and a refrigerator or freezer.
Green beans
Eating unroasted coffee beans is also an option, although not everyone will enjoy the flavor. Green beans are described as having a grassy or woody flavor and are very acidic, without any of the caramelized flavors that emerge during the roasting process. They are also very firm and can be difficult to chew.
Roasted beans
Roasted beans, on the other hand, have a much more pleasant and present flavor and can be slightly less crunchy, even if they're still quite hard. Some coffee addicts love to enjoy them exactly as they are. If you enjoy the simplicity of coffee beans themselves, then you'll have the pleasure of skipping a step when it comes to preparing coffee beans for consumption. The only requirement you'll need for this is to choose your favorite roast.
Benefits
While many studies have examined the benefits of coffee as a beverage, few have explored the effects of eating coffee beans. However, consuming the beans likely provides some of the same benefits as drinking the beverage. Here are some of the potential benefits of eating coffee beans.
Coffee beans are packed with powerful antioxidants, the most abundant of which is chlorogenic acid, a family of health-promoting polyphenols.
Studies show that chlorogenic acid may reduce the risk of diabetes and combat inflammation. Some trials suggest it may also have cancer-fighting properties.
If you've been sticking to your regular cup of coffee and have been considering switching to whole beans, you can easily try it on your own in the comfort of your home if you'd like. From a strong flavor to a variety of health benefits, enjoying a handful of whole roasted coffee beans is an experience you won't want to miss.