What Is Coffee? 8 Common Coffee Terms Explained

You’ve sipped your morning cup for years, but how much do you really know about what’s in it—or how it’s made? Whether you’re wondering why some coffee feels stronger than others, what ‘monsooned’ means on a label, or why some beans cost more, these common coffee questions have precise answers backed by data and tradition.

In short: Caffeine is found in over 100 plants including coffee and tea, with an average daily intake of 3.98mg per kg of body weight—about 239mg for a 60kg person. Monsooned coffee is stored in open warehouses during rainy season to swell and mellow. Shade-grown coffee thrives under tree canopies, often benefiting migratory birds. Peaberry beans are rare single spheres from coffee cherries. Wet processing enhances acidity. Hard beans grow at high altitudes and develop more flavor. Chicory is a caffeine-free coffee substitute historically used when coffee was scarce.

What Is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in the leaves, roots, and fruits of over 100 plants. It belongs to a group of compounds called methylxanthines. Common sources include coffee, kola nuts, and tea leaves. Caffeine is also used in energy drinks and medications for colds and flu. Alongside caffeine, coffee and tea contain another methylxanthine called theophylline, which has similar but weaker effects compared to caffeine and theobromine. The amount of caffeine in a product depends on its type, quantity, and preparation method. For example, 190ml of tea contains about 50mg of caffeine—less than one-third the 75mg typically found in the same amount of coffee. Below is a general guide to caffeine levels in other beverages. On average, people consume about 3.98mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight daily. For a 60kg individual, that’s approximately 239mg per day.

What Is Monsooned Coffee?

Monsooned coffee, also known as Monsoon Malabar, is a unique coffee from southern India processed using a traditional drying method. The beans are stored in open warehouses exposed to the monsoon rains. This exposure swells the beans to nearly double their original size and reduces acidity while increasing body. The warehouses are specially designed to allow moist monsoon winds to circulate among the beans, creating a thick, pungent, musty flavor profile. This labor-intensive process takes 12 to 16 months. During this time, beans expand and turn a dull golden color. Those that don’t expand fully are sorted out, and the rest are prepared for export. Though the dry aroma is mild, once brewed, monsooned coffee reveals a rich combination of roasted peanuts, caramel, and tobacco notes.

What Is Shade-Grown Coffee (or Bird-Friendly Coffee)?

Shade-grown coffee is cultivated under the canopy of native trees, which provide natural shade. Traditional Arabica varieties are grown in shaded environments across Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, India, Indonesia, and many parts of Africa. In contrast, some Arabica is grown in full sun. These tree canopies also serve as habitats for migratory birds in Central America, which is why shade-grown coffee is often called “bird-friendly coffee.” Shade-grown coffee is generally more environmentally resilient and is associated with some of the best-tasting coffees from Central America.

What Is Bourbon Coffee?

Bourbon is a natural mutation of the Arabica coffee plant, first discovered on the island of Bourbon—now known as Réunion. This coffee variety has been exported to Latin America and Africa, and some of the finest Latin American coffees are derived from Bourbon trees. Bourbon coffee thrives at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 meters, where it develops complex flavors.

What Is a Peaberry Coffee Bean?

A peaberry coffee bean, also called caracolillo, is a small, round bean that forms singly inside the coffee cherry, instead of the usual two flat beans. These beans are separated from regular beans and sold as a distinct product. They are especially popular in the Japanese market and command premium prices. Peaberries come from the same plants as regular beans but are often selected for their brighter acidity, stronger flavor, and more pronounced aromatics.

What Is Wet-Processed Coffee?

Wet processing, or washed processing, involves removing the coffee fruit’s outer skin while the beans are still moist. Most of the world’s most famous coffees are processed this way to enhance their acidity. In the traditional method, the coffee skin is removed, and the beans—still coated with sticky mucilage—are placed in containers where enzymes break down the mucilage through fermentation. The beans are then washed to remove the loosened pulp. Modern methods may use machines to remove the mucilage. After washing, a thin layer called parchment remains on the beans. These parchment-covered beans are traded and later hulled before roasting.

What Are Hard and Soft Coffee Beans?

Hard beans are grown at higher altitudes, where cooler temperatures slow the ripening process, resulting in denser, less porous beans. In contrast, soft beans are grown at lower altitudes. The slower maturation at high altitudes typically produces harder beans with higher acidity and more complex flavors, though there are exceptions. The distinction between hard and soft beans is commonly used in the grading systems of Central American coffees.

What Is Chicory Coffee (Coffee Substitute)?

Chicory is a perennial plant native to Europe, introduced to North America in the 1700s. While its young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, older leaves are bitter and typically boiled. Historically, chicory became famous as a coffee substitute when coffee was scarce or expensive. Its long, thick root, similar to a dandelion’s, is dried, roasted, and ground to mimic coffee’s flavor. Chicory contains no caffeine but offers a stronger roasted taste. Many coffee blends include up to 30% chicory to reduce caffeine content. Other substitutes include roasted acorns, potatoes, and local grains.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much caffeine is in tea compared to coffee?

190ml of tea contains about 50mg of caffeine, which is less than one-third the amount found in the same volume of coffee (approximately 75mg).

What is monsooned coffee and how is it made?

Monsooned coffee is made by storing coffee beans in open warehouses during the monsoon season, allowing moist winds to circulate and swell the beans. This process, lasting 12 to 16 months, reduces acidity and increases body, resulting in a musty, robust flavor with notes of roasted peanuts and caramel.

What makes shade-grown coffee different?

Shade-grown coffee is cultivated under native tree canopies, which protect the plants and provide habitats for migratory birds. It is often more environmentally sustainable and is associated with some of the best-flavored Central American coffees.

What is a peaberry and why is it special?

A peaberry is a single, round coffee bean that forms instead of the usual two flat beans in a cherry. These beans are often separated and sold separately, prized for their brighter acidity, stronger flavors, and are especially popular in Japan.

What’s the difference between hard and soft beans?

Hard beans are grown at higher altitudes and have a denser, less porous structure, usually resulting in higher acidity and more complex flavors. Soft beans are grown at lower altitudes and are typically less dense and flavorful.

Is chicory coffee the same as regular coffee?

No, chicory coffee is not made from coffee beans but from the roasted root of the chicory plant. It contains no caffeine and is often used as a coffee substitute or blended with coffee to reduce caffeine content.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Coffee Processing

Explore unique coffee processes with FrontStreet Coffee’s PWN Golden Mandheling and Lintong Mandheling. The PWN Golden Mandheling is a meticulously handpicked coffee from Sumatra, known for its layered profile of toast, pine, caramel, and cocoa, offering a rich and balanced cup with a sweet, lasting finish. The Lintong Mandheling showcases Sumatra’s signature herbal and woody character through the local wet-hulled method, delivering spice, dark chocolate, and caramel notes. Both beans highlight Indonesia’s distinctive processing traditions and are excellent for tasting how methods shape flavor. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.