Coffee Glossary

A crystalline compound (C8H10N4O2) and stimulant found in coffee, some teas, and some cocoas. The caffeine content of any coffee depends on the variety, roast, and brewing method. A Robusta coffee bean contains 2.2-2.7% caffeine while Arabica contains 1.2-1.5%.

Carbonic maceration involves fermenting coffee cherries in carbon dioxide-rich environments — similar to winemaking — resulting in fruity and floral flavor profiles.

Carbonic maceration coffee is a processing method borrowed where whole, intact coffee cherries are fermented in a sealed, carbon dioxide-filled tank

Refers to the process of verifying that coffee meets certain set standards i.e. organic, Fair Trade, or Rainforest Alliance. Roasters source certified coffees to meet consumer demand for ethical and sustainably produced beans that align to their own values.

Chaff is a papery byproduct that comes off the coffee in the roasting process

A glass pour-over coffee maker invented by German-American chemist Peter Schlumbohm in 1941.

A process in which coffee cherries are fermented along with other fruits, spices, or ingredients, resulting in distinct and deliberate flavors.

The common name for Hypothenemus hampei, the coffee berry borer (CBB) beetle is the number one coffee plant pest in the world, responsible for upward of US$500M in damages annually. Though it originated in Africa, the pest has propagated throughout most of the world’s growing regions and causes coffee berries to drop before they're ripe.

The fruit of the coffee plant containing the coffee beans

An area reserved for growing coffee plants and harvesting coffee beans. Agrotourism has also made coffee farm tours a popular activity and revenue stream for coffee producers.