Coffea arabica accounts for 60% of the world's coffee production. The dried seeds ('beans') are roasted, ground, and brewed to make one of the two most popular beverages globally [303 ]. Coffee is widely used as a flavouring in ice cream, pastries, candies, and liqueurs [303 ]. The seed has been used as a masticatory since ancient times. Cooked in butter, it can be used to make rich flat cakes [303 ]. An extract from the seeds is used as a flavouring in ice cream etc. [301 ]. The dried, roasted green seeds are used as an appetizer, whilst chocolate-covered roasted seeds are used as a gourmet snack [301 ]. The red fruits and leaves are chewed for their stimulating properties [301 ]. Leaves - cooked. The cooked leaves have a strong brown colour, a good texture and a relatively neutral flavour with only a hint of bitterness [298 ]. The leaves contain more caffeine than the fruit and are sometimes used as a tea substitute[301 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The seed contains caffeine, a widely used stimulant used in proprietary painkillers to potentiate the effect of aspirin and paracetamol [238 ]. It also has the stimulants theobromine and theophylline, chlorogenic acid, which is stimulant and diuretic, as well as a known allergen [238 ]. The seed is a bitter, aromatic, stimulant herb that has diuretic effects and controls vomiting [238 ]. It is reported to be analgesic, an aphrodisiac, anorexic, antidotal, cardiotonic, CNS-stimulant, counter-irritant, diuretic, hypnotic, galactagogue and nervine [303 ]. Whilst not usually recognised as a medical herb, coffee is a highly effective general stimulant, having a particular effect upon the central nervous system, improving perception and physical performance [254 ]. It has been found to help in some cases of headache or migraine [254 ]. An enema made using coffee beans is an effective cleanser for the large bowel [254 ]. Coffee is a folk remedy for asthma, atropine poisoning, fever, flu, headache, jaundice, malaria, migraine, narcosis, nephrosis, opium poisoning, sores and vertigo [303 ].

Agroforestry Uses: The plant is often intercropped with food crops, such as corn, beans or rice, during the first few years of growth[418 ]. It is useful as an understorey plant, as a hedge. Other Uses: Coffelite, a type of plastic, is made from coffee beans [303 ]. Coffee with iodine is used as a deodorant [303 ]. The seeds contain caffeine, which has been described as a natural herbicide. It selectively inhibits germination of the seeds of Amaranthus spinosus [303 ]. The bark can be made into pulp and parchment or used as manure and mulches [303, 418 ]. The whitish wood is hard, dense, heavy, tough, durable and takes a polish well. It is suitable for tables, chairs and turnery [303, 418, 447 ]. Coffea arabica can be grown in a large container (35L+). It will also grow as an indoor plant but is unlikely to fruit.

Special Uses