When you think about coffee, you probably picture a warm cup brewed from roasted coffee beans. But did you know that the leaves of the coffee plant can also be used to make tea?
Coffee leaf tea has been consumed for generations in parts of Africa and Asia. Although it isn’t as popular as regular coffee or green tea, this traditional beverage is attracting interest for its naturally occurring plant compounds, distinctive flavor, and potential health benefits.
Coffee leaves contain substances such as chlorogenic acids, flavonoids, and, in certain varieties, mangiferin. Researchers have investigated these compounds for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other biological activities.
However, there’s an important distinction between finding beneficial compounds in a plant and demonstrating that consuming them improves human health.
While laboratory findings are promising, research on the health effects of drinking coffee leaf tea remains limited.
So, is coffee leaf tea worth trying?
Let’s explore what makes this beverage interesting, its potential health benefits, how it compares with other teas, and what you should know about its safety.
Key Takeaways
- Contains beneficial plant compounds: Coffee leaves contain chlorogenic acids, flavonoids, and other polyphenols associated with antioxidant activity.
- May have anti-inflammatory potential: Certain coffee leaf compounds influence inflammation-related pathways in experimental studies, but their effects in humans remain uncertain.
- Contains caffeine: Coffee leaf tea isn’t caffeine-free, and its caffeine content can vary considerably depending on the leaves and preparation method.
- May support healthier beverage choices: Unsweetened coffee leaf tea is generally low in calories and can replace sugary drinks.
- Potential metabolic benefits remain unproven: Research on individual compounds suggests possible effects on blood sugar and cardiovascular function, but direct clinical evidence for coffee leaf tea is insufficient.
- Human research is limited: Most proposed health benefits come from laboratory studies, animal research, or investigations of isolated compounds.
- Quality and moderation matter: Choose food-grade coffee leaf tea from reputable suppliers and consider your caffeine tolerance and medical circumstances.
What Are Coffee Leaves?
Coffee leaves are the foliage of plants belonging to the Coffea genus, particularly Coffea arabica (Arabica) and Coffea canephora (Robusta).
These plants are best known for producing coffee cherries, which contain the seeds commonly called coffee beans.
However, the leaves have also been traditionally used to prepare beverages.
Coffee leaves are generally dark green, glossy, and oval-shaped. They play an essential role in photosynthesis, allowing the plant to produce energy for growth and development.
In coffee-growing regions, including parts of Ethiopia and Indonesia, people have traditionally prepared coffee leaf beverages by drying, roasting, or otherwise processing the leaves before steeping them in hot water.
Unlike regular coffee, which is made from roasted seeds, coffee leaf tea is prepared from the leaves themselves.
The resulting drink often has a mild, herbal flavor with earthy, grassy, or slightly sweet notes. Its taste can vary depending on the coffee variety and processing method.
Although coffee leaf tea is sometimes described as an herbal tea, it naturally contains caffeine.
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What Beneficial Compounds Do Coffee Leaves Contain?
Coffee leaves contain several naturally occurring phytochemicals that have attracted scientific interest.
Phytochemicals are substances produced by plants, some of which demonstrate antioxidant and other biological activities.
The composition of coffee leaves varies according to species, variety, leaf maturity, growing conditions, and processing methods.
1. Chlorogenic Acids
Chlorogenic acids are polyphenolic compounds found in coffee beans, coffee leaves, and numerous plant foods.
Researchers have investigated them for their antioxidant activity and potential influence on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and blood vessel function.
However, studies involving isolated chlorogenic acids or concentrated extracts don’t necessarily reflect the effects of drinking coffee leaf tea.
2. Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a large group of plant compounds involved in protecting plants against environmental stress.
Certain flavonoids exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in laboratory studies.
Coffee leaves contain various flavonoids, although their concentrations differ among species and growing conditions.
The health effects of consuming these compounds depend partly on how they’re absorbed and metabolized by the body.
3. Mangiferin
Mangiferin is a naturally occurring polyphenol also found in mango plants.
It has attracted attention for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential metabolic activities.
Studies have identified mangiferin in the leaves of certain coffee species, particularly some Arabica varieties.
However, not all coffee species accumulate mangiferin, and its concentration can vary with leaf age and other factors.
Research on mangiferin is promising, but its presence in coffee leaves doesn’t establish that drinking coffee leaf tea produces the same effects observed in experimental studies.
4. Caffeine
Coffee leaves naturally contain caffeine, a stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
Caffeine can temporarily improve alertness, attention, and reaction time. However, excessive consumption may contribute to nervousness, sleep disturbances, and other unwanted effects.
The caffeine content of coffee leaf tea varies depending on the plant variety, leaf maturity, processing, and brewing conditions.
5. Other Polyphenols
Coffee leaves also contain additional phenolic compounds that contribute to their overall phytochemical profile.
Some have demonstrated antioxidant or other biological activities in laboratory investigations.
However, identifying these compounds doesn’t establish their effectiveness when consumed in ordinary servings of brewed tea.
While coffee leaves contain an interesting variety of phytochemicals, their vitamin and mineral contributions in typical tea servings haven’t been sufficiently characterized to make specific nutritional claims.
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7 Potential Health Benefits of Coffee Leaf Tea
Coffee leaf tea has several properties that make it an interesting subject for nutritional research.
However, most of its proposed health benefits haven’t been confirmed through well-designed human clinical trials.
Here are seven potential benefits and what the available evidence suggests.
1. May Provide Antioxidant Compounds
One of the most widely studied characteristics of coffee leaves is their antioxidant activity.
Your body naturally produces reactive molecules, including free radicals, during normal metabolic processes.
Environmental factors such as pollution, tobacco smoke, and excessive ultraviolet radiation can also increase exposure to reactive molecules.
When these molecules overwhelm the body’s protective systems, oxidative stress can occur.
Persistent oxidative stress is associated with cellular damage and the development of several chronic diseases.
Coffee leaves contain chlorogenic acids, flavonoids, and other polyphenols that demonstrate antioxidant activity in laboratory tests.
These compounds can interact with reactive molecules under experimental conditions, which has encouraged researchers to investigate their possible health applications.
However, antioxidant activity observed in a laboratory doesn’t necessarily translate into measurable health benefits when a person drinks coffee leaf tea.
The body has its own antioxidant defense systems, and the effects of dietary compounds depend on their absorption, metabolism, and interaction with other nutrients.
Including coffee leaf tea in a varied diet may provide additional plant polyphenols, but there’s insufficient evidence that it directly prevents oxidative damage or reduces disease risk in humans.
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2. May Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation is an essential part of the body’s defense system.
When you experience an injury or infection, inflammation helps your immune system respond and begin the healing process.
However, persistent or poorly regulated inflammation can contribute to several health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and certain forms of arthritis.
Some compounds found in coffee leaves have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory and animal studies.
For example, chlorogenic acids and mangiferin have been investigated for their ability to influence cellular signaling pathways associated with inflammation.
These findings suggest that coffee leaf compounds may have biological properties worth exploring.
However, the effects observed with isolated compounds or concentrated extracts may differ from those produced by an ordinary cup of tea.
There is currently insufficient clinical evidence to conclude that coffee leaf tea reduces inflammation in humans or relieves symptoms associated with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Although the early research is interesting, coffee leaf tea shouldn’t be considered a treatment for inflammatory diseases.
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3. May Have Potential Benefits for Cardiovascular Health
Maintaining cardiovascular health involves several factors, including healthy blood pressure, normal blood vessel function, and balanced cholesterol levels.
Diet plays an important role in supporting these processes.
Coffee leaves contain polyphenols that researchers have studied for their possible effects on oxidative stress and cardiovascular function.
Chlorogenic acids, for example, have been investigated in other dietary contexts for their potential influence on blood pressure and blood vessel health.
Some experimental findings suggest that these compounds may affect biological pathways involved in vascular function.
However, research involving isolated compounds, coffee extracts, or regular coffee doesn’t establish that drinking coffee leaf tea provides the same benefits.
There is insufficient direct human evidence that coffee leaf tea lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, or prevents cardiovascular disease.
It’s also worth remembering that caffeine may temporarily increase blood pressure in some individuals, particularly those who don’t consume it regularly.
If you’re interested in supporting heart health, coffee leaf tea can be enjoyed as part of your beverage choices, but it shouldn’t replace established practices such as balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, blood pressure management, and appropriate medical care.
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4. May Offer an Alternative to Regular Coffee
If you enjoy coffee but want to explore other beverages, coffee leaf tea may be an interesting option.
Unlike traditional coffee, which has a roasted flavor, coffee leaf tea generally tastes milder and more herbal.
It also contains caffeine, although the amount in a prepared serving can vary substantially.
Some coffee leaf tea preparations may contain less caffeine than regular brewed coffee, but this isn’t guaranteed.
Caffeine levels depend on several factors, including the coffee species, age of the leaves, processing method, amount used, and brewing conditions.
Research has shown that coffee leaves themselves can contain considerable amounts of caffeine, so coffee leaf tea shouldn’t automatically be treated as a low-caffeine beverage.
Caffeine may provide temporary benefits such as improved alertness and reduced sleepiness.
However, excessive intake can cause unwanted effects, including:
- Nervousness or restlessness
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Increased heart rate or palpitations
- Anxiety in sensitive individuals
- Digestive discomfort
If you’re trying to reduce caffeine consumption, check the caffeine information provided by the manufacturer whenever available.
Coffee leaf tea can offer variety and a different drinking experience, but people who need to avoid caffeine should choose a verified caffeine-free alternative.
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5. May Have Potential Effects on Blood Sugar Metabolism
Healthy blood sugar regulation is important for maintaining metabolic health.
Your body controls blood glucose through several processes, including insulin production, glucose absorption, and cellular energy use.
Certain compounds found in coffee leaves, particularly chlorogenic acids and mangiferin, have attracted research interest for their possible influence on these processes.
Experimental studies involving these compounds suggest they may affect glucose metabolism and insulin-related signaling pathways.
However, these findings don’t establish that drinking coffee leaf tea improves blood sugar control.
The quantities used in laboratory or animal studies may differ considerably from the amounts present in a typical serving.
There is currently insufficient direct human clinical evidence to recommend coffee leaf tea for treating diabetes, improving insulin sensitivity, or preventing blood sugar spikes.
If you’re managing your blood sugar, choosing unsweetened beverages can still be a useful dietary strategy.
Coffee leaf tea prepared without sugar or other calorie-containing additions generally contributes very few calories or carbohydrates.
However, it shouldn’t replace prescribed diabetes medication, blood glucose monitoring, or dietary recommendations from your healthcare provider.
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6. May Support Weight Management Through Healthier Beverage Choices
Coffee leaf tea is sometimes associated with weight management because it contains compounds such as chlorogenic acids.
Researchers have investigated these substances for their possible effects on fat metabolism, glucose regulation, and other metabolic processes.
However, there isn’t convincing clinical evidence that drinking coffee leaf tea directly increases fat burning or produces meaningful weight loss.
Its more practical advantage is that unsweetened coffee leaf tea is generally low in calories.
Replacing sugary drinks with unsweetened beverages can help reduce your overall calorie intake.
For example, if you replace a daily beverage containing 150 calories with a nearly calorie-free tea, you could reduce your intake by approximately 150 calories per day, provided you don’t compensate by eating or drinking additional calories.
Over time, reducing unnecessary calories may help support weight management.
Of course, weight management involves more than beverage choices.
Your overall eating habits, physical activity, sleep, medical conditions, and other lifestyle factors all play important roles.
Coffee leaf tea isn’t a weight-loss treatment, but it can be an enjoyable alternative to sugary beverages within a balanced eating plan.
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7. May Provide a Relaxing Tea-Drinking Experience
Not every benefit of drinking tea needs to come from a specific medicinal compound.
Sometimes, the simple act of preparing and enjoying a warm beverage can provide a welcome break from a busy day.
Coffee leaf tea’s mild flavor may make it appealing to people who enjoy herbal-style drinks.
Taking a few minutes to prepare tea, sit comfortably, and enjoy its aroma can become part of a relaxing daily routine.
However, there’s insufficient scientific evidence that coffee leaf tea directly reduces stress hormones, improves sleep quality, or produces a calming effect on the nervous system.
Because it contains caffeine, it may even interfere with sleep or increase nervousness in sensitive individuals.
If you enjoy the ritual of drinking tea, coffee leaf tea offers another flavor to explore. Just remember that its relaxing qualities are more closely associated with the experience of drinking it than with any established medicinal effect.
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What Does Scientific Research Say About Coffee Leaf Tea?
Research on coffee leaves has identified numerous phytochemicals with potentially useful biological activities.
However, the evidence is considerably stronger for their chemical composition and laboratory properties than for specific health benefits in humans.
Several scientific reviews have discussed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic activities associated with coffee leaf compounds.
A review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition examined coffee leaf phytochemicals, biological activities, and potential applications.
Another review published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis in 2024 discussed the phytochemical composition, traditional uses, and potential applications of Arabica coffee leaves in functional beverages.
These publications highlight the scientific interest in coffee leaves while also demonstrating the need for further investigation.
An important limitation is that many studies use concentrated plant extracts or isolated compounds rather than brewed coffee leaf tea.
The amount of a compound used in an experiment may be substantially higher than what you would consume in a cup of tea.
Researchers also need to determine how efficiently these compounds are absorbed and metabolized after consumption.
Other unanswered questions include the effects of regular consumption, differences between coffee varieties, and whether coffee leaf tea produces measurable health improvements in controlled human studies.
Until stronger clinical evidence becomes available, coffee leaf tea is best regarded as a traditional beverage with interesting phytochemicals rather than a proven treatment or preventive measure for chronic diseases.
Coffee Leaf Tea vs. Regular Coffee vs. Green Tea
Coffee leaf tea, regular coffee, and green tea all contain naturally occurring plant compounds, but they differ in their ingredients, flavors, and research evidence.
| Feature | Coffee Leaf Tea | Regular Coffee | Green Tea |
| Plant source | Coffee plant leaves | Roasted coffee seeds | Camellia sinensis leaves |
| Caffeine | Present; highly variable | Usually substantial | Present; variable |
| Notable compounds | Chlorogenic acids, flavonoids, sometimes mangiferin | Chlorogenic acids and caffeine | Catechins, including EGCG |
| Typical flavor | Mild, herbal, earthy | Roasted, bold, sometimes bitter | Grassy, vegetal, sometimes astringent |
| Human health research | Limited | Extensive | Substantial |
| Calories without additives | Very low | Very low | Very low |
Regular coffee and green tea have been studied much more extensively in human populations.
Coffee leaf tea, meanwhile, offers a different combination of phytochemicals and a distinctive flavor profile.
If you’re choosing between these beverages, consider your personal preferences, caffeine tolerance, and dietary goals.
No single tea or coffee beverage is essential for good health, and a varied diet remains a more reliable way to obtain a broad range of beneficial plant compounds.
How to Prepare Coffee Leaf Tea
Coffee leaf tea is generally prepared by steeping processed coffee leaves in hot water.
The exact method can vary depending on the product, so it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of commercially prepared dried coffee leaves, or 1 coffee leaf tea bag
- 1 cup (approximately 240 mL) of hot water
- Optional: a slice of lemon
Instructions
- Heat the water. Bring fresh drinking water to a boil and follow the product’s recommended brewing temperature.
- Add the leaves. Place the dried coffee leaves or tea bag in a clean cup or teapot.
- Steep the tea. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended steeping time. If no instructions are available, approximately five minutes may serve as a starting point for flavor, although this isn’t a standardized preparation method.
- Remove the leaves. Strain the tea or remove the tea bag.
- Serve and enjoy. Drink it plain or add lemon for flavor.
If you’re trying to limit added sugar and calories, enjoy the tea without sweeteners.
These instructions are general brewing guidance rather than a medically established serving or dosage.
Commercially manufactured coffee leaf infusions may also undergo additional food-safety processing, so home preparation shouldn’t be assumed equivalent to every regulated commercial product.
Can You Make Tea From Fresh Coffee Leaves?
Although coffee leaves have been used traditionally to prepare beverages, using freshly picked leaves isn’t always advisable.
Leaves from ornamental or agricultural coffee plants may have been exposed to pesticides, environmental contaminants, or other substances unsuitable for consumption.
Improper drying and storage can also introduce food-safety concerns.
For these reasons, commercially prepared, food-grade coffee leaves from a reputable supplier are preferable to unidentified or untreated leaves.
Possible Side Effects and Safety Precautions
Coffee leaf tea has a history of traditional consumption, and safety assessments have supported the use of certain standardized coffee leaf infusions as food.
For example, the European Union authorized specified coffee leaf infusions as traditional foods in 2020, subject to defined composition and processing requirements.
However, this doesn’t mean every coffee leaf product, concentrated extract, or preparation method has the same safety profile.
Several precautions are worth considering.
1. Caffeine-Related Side Effects
Coffee leaf tea naturally contains caffeine.
Depending on the amount consumed and individual sensitivity, caffeine may cause nervousness, restlessness, sleep disturbances, or palpitations.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, pay attention to the product’s caffeine content and your body’s response.
2. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should be mindful of their total caffeine intake from all sources.
Because research on coffee leaf tea consumption in these populations is limited, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional before making it a regular beverage.
3. Medications and Existing Health Conditions
Coffee leaf tea hasn’t been extensively studied for possible interactions with prescription medications.
If you have a medical condition or take medications that may be affected by caffeine or dietary changes, seek advice from your healthcare professional.
This is particularly important if you intend to use coffee leaf products for a specific health purpose.
4. Product Quality
Choose products intended for human consumption and supplied by reputable manufacturers.
Look for clear ingredient labeling, appropriate storage instructions, and reliable food-safety practices.
Avoid using unidentified coffee leaves or products that make exaggerated claims about treating diseases.
5. Moderate Consumption
A scientific safety review published in Foods in 2022 considered moderate consumption of coffee leaf tea generally acceptable, while emphasizing caffeine as an important consideration.
However, the findings shouldn’t be interpreted as establishing one ideal serving amount for every person or product.
Your appropriate intake depends on the beverage’s caffeine content, your total daily caffeine consumption, and your individual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I drink coffee leaf tea every day?
Coffee leaf tea has a history of traditional consumption, and certain standardized preparations have undergone food-safety assessment.
However, the caffeine content varies, and research on the long-term effects of different coffee leaf products remains limited.
If you choose to drink it regularly, use a reputable food-grade product, follow its preparation instructions, and consider your overall caffeine intake.
2. Does coffee leaf tea contain caffeine?
Yes. Coffee leaf tea naturally contains caffeine.
The amount varies depending on the coffee species, leaf maturity, processing method, and brewing conditions.
Some preparations may contain less caffeine than regular coffee, but coffee leaf tea shouldn’t automatically be considered a low-caffeine beverage.
3. Is coffee leaf tea good for weight loss?
There isn’t convincing clinical evidence that coffee leaf tea directly promotes weight loss or increases fat burning.
However, unsweetened coffee leaf tea is generally low in calories and may help reduce calorie intake when used to replace sugary beverages.
4. Can coffee leaf tea lower blood pressure?
Some compounds found in coffee leaves have been investigated for their potential influence on blood vessel function and blood pressure.
However, there isn’t sufficient direct clinical evidence that drinking coffee leaf tea lowers blood pressure.
It shouldn’t replace prescribed medication or established approaches to managing hypertension.
5. Can coffee leaf tea help regulate blood sugar?
Coffee leaves contain compounds that have been investigated for possible effects on glucose metabolism.
However, their presence doesn’t establish that drinking coffee leaf tea improves blood sugar control or treats diabetes.
People with diabetes should continue following their prescribed treatment and dietary plans.
6. Does coffee leaf tea help with inflammation or arthritis?
Certain compounds in coffee leaves demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity in experimental studies.
However, there’s insufficient human clinical evidence that coffee leaf tea relieves arthritis symptoms, reduces joint inflammation, or treats inflammatory diseases.
It shouldn’t be used as a substitute for appropriate medical care.
7. Is coffee leaf tea better than green tea?
Neither beverage is universally better.
Both contain plant compounds with biological activities, but their chemical compositions differ.
Green tea has been studied more extensively in humans, while research on coffee leaf tea remains comparatively limited.
Your choice may depend on flavor, caffeine tolerance, and personal preference.
8. What does coffee leaf tea taste like?
Coffee leaf tea generally has a mild, herbal flavor.
Depending on the variety and processing method, it may have earthy, grassy, or slightly sweet notes.
Roasting, drying, and brewing conditions can influence the final taste.
9. Can I drink coffee leaf tea before bedtime?
Coffee leaf tea contains caffeine, which can interfere with sleep.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine or have difficulty sleeping, it’s better to choose a verified caffeine-free beverage in the evening.
10. Is coffee leaf tea safe?
Certain standardized coffee leaf infusions have been evaluated for food safety and authorized for consumption in some jurisdictions.
However, safety depends on factors such as product quality, preparation, caffeine content, and individual health circumstances.
Choose food-grade products and consult a healthcare professional if you have relevant medical concerns.
Conclusion
Coffee leaves may be an overlooked part of the coffee plant, but they have a long history of traditional use and contain an interesting variety of naturally occurring compounds.
Chlorogenic acids, flavonoids, and mangiferin have attracted scientific attention for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential metabolic activities.
However, most of the proposed health benefits of coffee leaf tea still require stronger evidence from human clinical studies.
At present, we cannot confidently conclude that drinking coffee leaf tea prevents heart disease, lowers blood pressure, controls diabetes, reduces arthritis symptoms, or promotes weight loss.
Nevertheless, coffee leaf tea can be an enjoyable addition to your beverage choices.
Its distinctive flavor and generally low calorie content when unsweetened may appeal to people looking for alternatives to sugary drinks or traditional coffee.
If you’re interested in trying it, choose a reputable food-grade product, consider your caffeine tolerance, and enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.
Coffee leaf tea is worth exploring for its flavor, traditional use, and interesting plant compounds. Just remember that good health depends on your overall lifestyle rather than any single beverage.
Content Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The potential health benefits discussed are based on available scientific research, including laboratory studies, experimental investigations, and reviews of coffee leaf compounds. Many of these benefits haven’t been conclusively demonstrated in human clinical studies involving coffee leaf tea.
Individual responses may vary depending on health status, medications, caffeine sensitivity, and other factors.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications, or managing an existing medical condition.
Coffee leaf tea and other natural products should not be used as substitutes for prescribed medications, professional medical advice, or evidence-based treatment.
No specific health outcome is guaranteed by consuming coffee leaf tea.