Coffee Leaf Tea Healthier Than Coffee or Tea

If you’ve ever wished for a coffee-like drink that’s gentler on your stomach, lower in caffeine, and still packed with benefits, science may have an unexpected answer: tea made from coffee plant leaves. While coffee and tea dominate the beverage world, a growing body of research suggests their overlooked cousin—the coffee leaf—might be the healthier choice.

Yes. According to researchers who tested 23 coffee plant varieties, leaves from seven of them contained high levels of mangiferin—a powerful antioxidant also found in mangoes. These leaves also showed potential benefits for reducing diabetes and cholesterol risks, and protecting brain nerves, all while delivering much less bitterness and caffeine than coffee or tea.

What Is Coffee Leaf Tea?

Coffee leaf tea is a beverage made by steeping the leaves of the coffee plant, not the beans. Though coffee beans are the world’s second-most traded commodity after crude oil, their leaves have long been ignored. Yet in certain coffee-growing regions, particularly in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Indonesia, and parts of Africa, brewing coffee leaves into a tea has been a traditional, if underappreciated, practice.

Why Coffee Leaves Contain Unique Compounds

The key finding comes from a study covered by the UK’s Daily Telegraph. Researchers analyzed 23 different coffee plant species and discovered that leaves from seven of them were rich in mangiferin. This compound, more commonly sourced from mangoes, functions as a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Beyond mangiferin, these coffee leaves also contain other natural compounds believed to help reduce risks of diabetes and high blood cholesterol, as well as provide protection for brain neurons.

Flavor and Caffeine Profile

Unlike coffee, which is known for its bold bitterness and high caffeine kick, coffee leaf tea offers a milder taste. The brew typically has very low caffeine content and lacks the intense bitterness associated with both tea and coffee. This makes it a potentially smoother alternative for those sensitive to stimulants or bitter flavors.

Historical and Regional Use

Coffee leaf tea has a scattered history of local popularity. 19th-century reports noted its impressive antioxidant levels, surpassing those of coffee, green tea, and black tea. It was said to quickly relieve hunger and fatigue while sharpening mental clarity. In the early 1900s, coffee-producing regions in Indonesia—including Sumatra and Java—actively promoted coffee leaf tea in markets like Britain and Australia, though without success. Today, despite its health potential, the drink remains niche.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is coffee leaf tea made from?

Coffee leaf tea is made by steeping the leaves of the coffee plant, not the coffee beans. It is brewed similarly to traditional tea and originates from regions where coffee plants are grown, such as Ethiopia and Indonesia.

Does coffee leaf tea contain caffeine?

Yes, but in very low amounts. Coffee leaf tea has significantly less caffeine compared to regular coffee, making it a milder option for those sensitive to stimulants.

What are the health benefits of coffee leaf tea?

Studies show that certain coffee leaves contain mangiferin, a natural antioxidant also found in mangoes. These leaves may help reduce risks of diabetes and high cholesterol, protect brain neurons, and offer anti-inflammatory effects.

Why hasn’t coffee leaf tea become popular worldwide?

Despite being consumed traditionally in places like Ethiopia and Indonesia, efforts to market coffee leaf tea in countries like Britain and Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries failed. It remains an underappreciated beverage today, though research continues into its benefits.

How does the taste of coffee leaf tea compare to coffee or tea?

Coffee leaf tea has a milder flavor with much less bitterness than both coffee and traditional tea. It lacks the strong, sharp notes of coffee and the tannic edge of tea, offering a smoother drinking experience.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Coffee Leaf Tea Fans

If you enjoy the smoother, lower-caffeine profile of coffee leaf tea, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe—bright and floral with citrus and stone fruit notes, offering a gentle caffeine lift. For something more rounded, their Brazil Queen Manor delivers sweet, nutty flavours with low acidity, ideal for relaxed sipping. Lastly, their PWN Golden Mandheling brings full body and mild spice, smooth enough for sensitive palates. All three are excellent single origins that echo the balanced, nuanced qualities fans of coffee leaf beverages often seek. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.