How to Make Soybean Coffee Without Caffeine

If you're looking for a coffee-like drink without caffeine—whether for health, sleep, or just variety—soybean 'coffee' might be the answer. This non-coffee beverage mimics the roasted depth of real coffee but comes entirely from soybeans, offering a caffeine-free, easy-to-digest alternative with potential health benefits.

To make basic soybean coffee, start by roasting dehulled soybeans at 220°C for 30 seconds—or 160°C for 10–20 minutes in a regular pan—until they develop a strong roasted aroma. Grind the cooled beans to a fine powder that passes through a 60-mesh sieve, then brew with hot water over 90°C for best results. Optional additions like milk powder or sugar can enhance flavor.

What Is Soybean Coffee?

Soybean coffee is a caffeine-free beverage made from roasted and ground soybeans. It replicates the color, aroma, and taste of traditional coffee without using any actual coffee beans. Though not a true coffee, it offers a similar drinking experience and is often used as a substitute, especially for those avoiding caffeine or seeking a plant-based alternative.

Why Make Soybean Coffee?

Made entirely from soybeans, this drink provides a rich, roasted flavor without caffeine’s side effects like insomnia or dependency. It's also highly digestible, cost-effective, and boosts the usability of soybeans—turning an everyday crop into a functional, flavorful beverage. Plus, soybean coffee can be used in other recipes like baked goods.

Step-by-Step: How to Process Soybeans Into 'Coffee'

1. Raw Material Preparation

Start with clean, dry soybeans. Thoroughly wash the selected beans 3–4 times under running water to remove dirt and dust. After rinsing, drain completely and use a hot air blower to dry the surface moisture. Next, remove the soybean skins using a soybean peeler or a grain milling machine (like a small rice mill). Finally, blow away the loose skins using a fan or air blower.

2. Roasting the Soybeans

Transfer the skinned soybeans to a rotary roaster and heat them at 220°C for 30 seconds to develop a roasted, nutty aroma. For smaller batches, a regular iron frying pan works: roast the beans at around 160°C for 10–20 minutes until they emit a strong, toasted fragrance. Once roasted, let the beans cool completely. Then, grind them into a fine powder using a mill, and sift the grounds through a 60-mesh sieve to achieve the proper consistency.

Flavor, Brewing, and Uses

The resulting soybean coffee powder has no beany off-flavors when properly roasted and ground. For a creamier, sweeter profile, try adding a spoonful of milk powder or sugar. Always brew with water heated to at least 90°C to fully extract the roasted notes. Due to its neutral flavor base, soybean coffee can also be incorporated into candies, cookies, and pastries—making it a versatile ingredient beyond just a hot drink.

Why These Specs Matter

The 220°C roast for 30 seconds (or 160°C for 10–20 minutes) is critical to developing the Maillard reaction that creates the coffee-like aroma. Grinding to pass a 60-mesh sieve ensures a brewable, espresso-like fineness. And water above 90°C is necessary to properly extract the flavors from the dense, roasted soy particles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is soybean coffee?

Soybean coffee is a roasted and ground soybean beverage that mimics the taste and appearance of regular coffee but contains no caffeine or actual coffee beans. It’s used as a caffeine-free alternative with a similar flavor profile.

How do you make soybean coffee from raw soybeans?

Clean the soybeans by washing them 3–4 times, dry them, remove the skins with a machine or mill, then roast them at 220°C for 30 seconds (or 160°C for 10–20 minutes in a pan) until roasted. Cool, grind to a fine powder (60 mesh), and brew with hot water over 90°C.

What temperature should you roast soybeans for coffee?

For a rotary roaster, use 220°C for 30 seconds. For a regular pan, roast at around 160°C for 10–20 minutes until a strong roasted aroma develops.

What grind size should soybean coffee be?

Grind the roasted soybeans into a powder that can pass through a 60-mesh sieve—similar to a fine or espresso grind—to ensure proper extraction when brewing.

Can you add anything to soybean coffee?

Yes, adding a spoonful of milk powder or sugar can improve the flavor. It’s also common to drink it black like traditional coffee.

Is soybean coffee actually coffee?

No, it’s not made from coffee beans. It’s a caffeine-free, plant-based alternative that replicates the flavor and brewing experience of coffee using roasted soybeans.

What is the best water temperature for brewing soybean coffee?

Use water at 90°C or higher to fully extract the roasted flavors from the soybean grounds.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Caffeine-Free Blends

Try pairing your soybean coffee with FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend for a smooth medium roast with notes of caramel and nuts—a great alternative if you want low-acidity roasted flavor. For something nuttier, their Autumn Chestnut Blend offers chestnut and dark chocolate tones, echoing the toasty profile of soy coffee. Both are 100% roasted coffee, but excellent for experimenting with blends or transitioning between caffeine and caffeine-free drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.