Perhaps you have had a cup of green coffee at a coffee shop or heard about it through a friend. However you first encounter it, this tea-like beverage can be a tasty, potentially healthier alternative to your morning cup of joe, and though it will take some time to brew, it is simple to make at home.
Whether you’re looking to try this interesting beverage for the first time or to improve your brewing method, our simple guide is here to help. Read on to learn all about green coffee and how to brew yourself a delicious cup.
What is green coffee?
First popularized by the TV show Dr. Oz back in 2012, green coffee is a lightly caffeinated beverage made from green, unroasted coffee beans. A cup of green coffee only contains about 20 milligrams of caffeine, compared to around 100 milligrams in a cup of regular black coffee. It has an interesting, earthy flavor, somewhat similar to green tea.
What are the health benefits?
Studies show that drinking coffee can boost metabolism and help you lose weight. Researchers think this is caused by something called chlorogenic acid, which may work by limiting the glucose that can stay in your bloodstream, keeping you from absorbing all of the sugars and carbohydrates in the food you consume.
During the coffee roasting process, most of this acid is burned out, potentially limiting your regular coffee’s weight-loss effects. Unroasted coffee beans, on the other hand, still contain all of their original chlorogenic acids, which suggests that they may be more helpful to weight loss than their roasted counterparts. For this reason, many people believe that green coffee may be especially good for metabolism, and drink it with or just after a meal.
Because researchers haven’t yet conducted conclusive studies, these health benefits remain unconfirmed.
What we know for sure is that green coffee has an unusual flavor and a lower caffeine content. If you’re looking to cut down on caffeine or shake up your morning routine, you may want to give green coffee a try.
Where can I buy green coffee beans?
Green coffee beans can be more difficult to buy than roasted beans. Since they’re mostly sold directly to coffee roasters in wholesale quantities, buying green coffee beans as a homebrewer can be trickier.
Most grocery stores don’t sell them, though you may be able to find them in health food stores. If you have a favorite local coffee shop, try asking if they roast their beans in-house. If they do, they may be willing to sell you an unroasted bag of beans.
The easiest place to buy green coffee beans is online. Brands like Primos Coffee Co.’s single-origin Nicaraguan green beans are readily available at online retailers. You can also order directly from a green coffee bean seller, like the well-known Sweet Maria’s. See our full guide to buying green coffee beans here.
You can also purchase supplements like green coffee extract, sold in pill form, and green coffee powder.
What else can I do with green coffee beans?
The most common use of green coffee beans is roasting them at home. You can learn how to perfectly roast coffee beans at home here.
How to Make Green Coffee
Green coffee is very easy to make. In five simple steps, you’ll have a fragrant, herbal beverage.
- Whole green coffee beans
- Filtered water
- Mason jar or other container
- Gas or electric stove
- Saucepan
- Metal, paper, or cloth filter
1. Soak
First, you’ll want to soak your green beans overnight. Use about one heaping tablespoon of beans per cup of water. The water will begin to turn green immediately. Leave your beans covered on the counter.
2. Boil
When you’re ready to brew, pour your beans and the water they’ve been soaking in into a pot. Bring the liquid to a boil, and then turn it down to a simmer. Leave your pot simmering on low for 15 minutes.
3. Cool
Your liquid will now be fragrant and green. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
4. Filter
The next step to making green coffee is the when it’s completely cool, pour your green coffee through a filter to catch the beans and any chaff, the beans’ outer skin, that has come off in the cooking process. You can use any type of filter that you have on hand, including metal, paper, or cloth. Keep in mind that the filter you use may alter the flavor slightly.
Are you interested in learning more about filters? Take a look at our guide to the three major types.
5. Enjoy!
The last step in making green coffee is to personalize it. The process we’ve described will produce very concentrated green coffee. You can drink it straight, dilute it with water, or add honey or sugar to taste. Store any extra green coffee in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Enjoy your earthy, lightly caffeinated drink!
Easy Green Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- Mason jar or other container
- Gas or electric stove
- Saucepan
- Metal, paper, or cloth filter
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon whole green coffee beans
- 1 cup filtered water
Instructions
- First, you’ll want to soak your green beans overnight. Use about one heaping tablespoon of beans per cup of water. The water will begin to turn green immediately. Leave your beans covered on the counter.
- When you’re ready to brew, pour your beans and the water they’ve been soaking in into a pot. Bring the liquid to a boil, and then turn it down to a simmer. Leave your pot simmering on low for 15 minutes.
- Your liquid will now be fragrant and green. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
- When it’s completely cool, pour your green coffee through a filter to catch the beans and any chaff, the beans’ outer skin, that has come off in the cooking process. You can use any type of filter that you have on hand, including metal, paper, or cloth. Keep in mind that the filter you use may alter the flavor slightly.
- Enjoy! You can drink your concentrated green coffee straight, dilute it with water, or add honey or sugar to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
Homemade Green Coffee: The Bottom Line
Whether you’re looking to cut back on caffeine, interested in potential weight loss benefits, or just want to try a new beverage, green coffee can be a great option. Earthy, herbal, and simple to make at home, this could be your new favorite drink. We hope this guide helps you learn how to brew the perfect green coffee in the comfort of your kitchen.
RELATED READ: How Long Do Green Coffee Beans Last?
