Can You Brew Coffee Using Coffee Fruit Pulp?

You’ve probably never thought about brewing your morning cup using the part of the coffee cherry you usually throw away. But what if you could make a drink from the colorful, fruity pulp that surrounds green coffee beans before roasting? Coffee fruit pulp—often discarded during processing—is now being dried, packaged, and used to create a unique beverage. But does it actually taste like coffee? And how do you make it?

Yes, you can brew a tea-like drink using dried coffee fruit pulp. The result is a fruity, tisane-like infusion with light caffeine content. While it doesn’t taste like traditional brewed coffee, it offers a pleasant, sweet-tart flavor reminiscent of hibiscus or berry tea. The liquid takes on a tea-like amber hue after steeping.

What Is Coffee Fruit Pulp?

Coffee fruit pulp, also known as coffee cherry pulp, is the juicy, colorful outer layer of the coffee fruit that encases the coffee bean. Typically removed during processing—either via washed or natural methods—this fruit material is usually discarded or composted. However, some companies now dry the pulp to create a new product: drinkable coffee fruit.

This dried pulp resembles red or purple flakes or sheets, depending on variety and drying method. It is separate from the coffee bean and has not undergone roasting. It is sometimes referred to simply as "coffee fruit" in English-language specialty markets.

How Is Dried Coffee Fruit Pulp Used?

Dried coffee fruit pulp can be steeped in hot water like tea. The most common preparation involves placing a small amount of the dried material on a filter paper, similar to how you’d prepare a pour-over coffee or herbal infusion. Hot water is then poured over the pulp to extract flavors.

The liquid produced is not coffee—it lacks the roasted, bitter, and chocolatey qualities of brewed coffee—but instead yields a lightly colored, fruity drink. In photos, the brewed liquid appears as a tea-colored amber fluid, suggesting mild extraction and a gentle flavor profile.

Does Coffee Fruit Pulp Taste Like Coffee?

No, coffee fruit pulp does not taste like traditional brewed coffee. Instead, it produces a beverage with a flavor profile closer to fruit tea or herbal infusion. Descriptions often note bright, tart, and mildly sweet notes, resembling hibiscus, berries, or dried fruit. There is no roasted depth or Maillard reaction-derived flavors since the coffee bean itself is not involved in the brew.

The resulting drink is sometimes consumed for its mild caffeine content, though it contains far less than a regular cup of coffee. Its appeal lies more in its novelty and fruity characteristics than in replicating classic coffee flavors.

How to Brew Coffee Fruit Pulp

To prepare a drink from dried coffee fruit pulp:

• Place a small portion of the dried pulp on a filter paper or steeping device.
• Use water at a typical tea-brewing temperature (around 90–95°C / 195–205°F).
• Steep for several minutes, depending on desired strength. Most experimental brewers use a method akin to pour-over or herbal infusion.
• The output is a tea-colored liquid with a mild, fruity flavor.

There is no standard brew ratio given in the source, but the method visually resembles a single pour-over preparation using just a small quantity of dried pulp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make actual coffee using coffee fruit pulp?

No, coffee fruit pulp does not contain the coffee bean, so it cannot be used to make traditional brewed coffee. The pulp is the fruit’s outer layer, which is removed during coffee processing. While you can steep it to make a fruity infusion, it does not undergo roasting or extraction of coffee solids, and the resulting drink lacks the characteristic flavors of coffee.

What does coffee fruit pulp taste like?

Coffee fruit pulp produces a beverage that tastes fruity and tart, often compared to hibiscus tea, berry infusions, or dried fruit drinks. It has a light, refreshing flavor with no roasted or bitter notes. The taste is mild and pleasant, but it is not similar to coffee.

Is there caffeine in coffee fruit pulp?

Yes, coffee fruit pulp contains some caffeine, but far less than brewed coffee. Since it is not the bean but the fleshy exterior of the coffee cherry, the caffeine content is minimal. It may provide a slight pick-me-up but is not a strong stimulant.

How do you prepare coffee fruit pulp for drinking?

To prepare it, place dried coffee fruit pulp on filter paper and pour hot water (around 90–95°C) over it, similar to making pour-over coffee or herbal tea. Steep for a few minutes. The result is a tea-colored, fruity infusion.

What is the liquid made from coffee fruit pulp called?

There isn’t a universally standardized name, but it may be referred to as coffee fruit tea, coffee cherry drink, or simply a coffee fruit infusion. It is not coffee and is not an espresso or brewed coffee product.

Is coffee fruit pulp the same as cascara?

No, coffee fruit pulp is not the same as cascara, which is made from the dried coffee cherry husk (the outer skin after pulping). Cascara is often brewed like tea and has a different flavor. Coffee fruit pulp refers specifically to the fleshy part of the coffee cherry that surrounds the bean prior to processing.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Fruit-Forward Brews

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for a bright, fruity profile with notes of blueberry and jasmine—perfect if you enjoy the tart fruitiness of coffee fruit pulp. For something more wine-like, their Panama Humbera offers cherries and berries with a juicy body. Both highlight fruit characteristics without roasty bitterness, aligning with the taste experience of coffee fruit teas. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.