Is Coffee A Fruit Juice? 5 Reasons Coffee is Better vs Juice

By Mark •  Updated: 10/20/22 •  6 min read

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Coffee is classed as stone fruit. The nuts are removed from the fruit and ground up to make coffee. So, does that mean that coffee is a form of fruit juice?

No. Coffee isn’t classed as fruit juice because it is made from the nut of fruit rather than the flesh. Furthermore, juices are often extracted by squeezing, while the nut of a coffee bean needs to be ground up. Instead, coffee will be classed as an infusion because water is required to extract the flavor.

Is Coffee A Fruit Juice
Is Coffee A Fruit Juice?

While delicious, coffee can’t be classified as fruit juice. So, what sets fruit juice apart? Read on to learn more about the distinctions between coffee and fruit juice.

Why Isn’t Coffee Fruit Juice?

Let’s start with the basics. Coffee is a fruit. This is because it will grow on the tree in cherries. But the most valuable part is the large nut that grows inside the berry. This is what will be used to make coffee.

Just because the coffee bean is a fruit doesn’t mean that a coffee drink is fruit juice. There are a few key differences between the two, they include:

  • Part of the fruit used. Fruit juice is made from the juices from the flesh of the fruit. On the other hand, the coffee bean is needed to make coffee. The rest of the fruit is discarded.
  • Method of extraction. Juice is extracted from the fruit by either being squeezed or crushed. On the other hand, coffee nuts are ground down to release the flavor.
  • Use of other materials. Juice can be enjoyed independently, without the need for other elements. This is known as pure fruit juice. On the other hand, coffee beans need water to be turned into a drink.

Furthermore, you couldn’t even make juice from coffee beans if you wanted to.

Why Isn’t Coffee Fruit Juice
Why Isn’t Coffee Fruit Juice?

It’s estimated that the coffee bean contains just two percent water. Because of this, you would need many cherries to make even a tiny amount of juice.

However, in recent years interest in the coffee fruit has started to increase.

This is because the fruit contains juice high in caffeine, which some think could be a healthier alternative to coffee. Because of this, coffee juice has become available in a concentrated form.

You might be able to find some in your local health food store.  

Is Coffee A Tea?

Another common misconception is that coffee can be classed as tea by placing the grounds in boiling water.

But this is untrue.

The beverage must be made from plant leaves to be classed as tea. This isn’t the case when making coffee requires you to grind the beans.

Is Coffee A Tea
Is Coffee A Tea?

However, things aren’t quite so clear-cut. Some types of coffee can be considered tea.

This is because they are made from the dried fruit of the coffee bean rather than the nut. As a result, they would be classed as a tisane, which is another name for herbal tea.

Is Coffee A Soup?

Some claim that coffee should be considered a soup by soaking the nut in water. This is another misconception. The critical difference is that soup is a liquid food, while coffee is a beverage.

Is Coffee A Soup
Is Coffee A Soup?

They also tend to be thicker than coffee.

Furthermore, soups are rarely made from fruit, focusing on meats or vegetables.

How Is Coffee Classified?

So, now that we have a clear idea of some of the types of beverages that coffee can’t be classed as, we can turn our attention to the best way of describing it. Coffee is often classified as an infusion.

Infusion is one of the most common ways of making coffee.

How Is Coffee Classified
How Is Coffee Classified?

In this case, the hot water will travel through the grounds and a filter. Espresso coffee also fits into this category. But in this case, pressure will be applied to the coffee.

Furthermore, other extraction forms, like drip coffee or percolators, will also rely on water to extract the flavors. Though they will take a longer time for you to see results.

Which Is Better, Coffee Or Fruit Juice?

The distinction in their brewing method isn’t the only distinction between coffee and fruit juices. It’s also worth considering the health implications of each.

While many assume that fruit juice is the healthier option, this isn’t the case. It’s often recommended that you start your day with coffee instead.

Here are some of the reasons why:

  • Fruit juices are high in sugar. While fruit juices are often high in nutrients, they have substantial drawbacks. They are very high in sugar. By some estimates, they contain more sugar than a fizzy soft drink. This can profoundly impact your health, increasing your risk of obesity and heart attacks. Comparatively, coffee has lower sugar content.
  • Coffee is high in antioxidants. One of fruit juice’s attractants is its high number of nutrients. But coffee is also high in antioxidants. This can help improve your mental health and might even help you improve your heart health.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fruit drink occasionally. Fruit can contain a lot of fiber to improve the efficiency of your digestive system.

Which Is Better, Coffee Or Fruit Juice
Which Is Better, Coffee Or Fruit Juice?

Though, it’s best to have a smaller dose.

Furthermore, the downside of coffee is that it can be addictive due to its high caffeine levels. This is why it should be avoided at night.

Caffeine will help to stimulate your brain, which is why drinking a cup of coffee before bed can interfere with your sleep cycle. Because of this, some people might opt to stick to tea or water instead.

Final Thoughts

There are a few misconceptions about how coffee should be classified. But it shouldn’t be deemed a juice, soup, or tea. Instead, it will need to be labeled as an infusion, as water is required to extract the flavor from the coffee nut.

Mark

G'day from Australia! I'm Mark, the Chief Editor of Portafilter. I'm super passionate about everything coffee-related and love to spend endless hours mastering pulling the perfect shot on my Breville Barista Express. Follow on: Linkedin and Facebook.

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