Coffee and chocolate are frequently thought to be cousins. They have similar flavor profiles, overlap in their growth locations, and share humongous flavor pallets.
Coffee has over 1000 aromatic compounds while cacao has over 600!
So! Cocoa beans vs. coffee beans – how do you tell the difference between chocolate and coffee beans? Let’s dig into more similarities and differences between these two amazing plants.
Are There Any Similarities Between Cocoa Beans and Coffee Beans?
Before delving into the differences, let’s start with the basics.
- Coffee and Cocoa are Stimulants
Although the beans come from a different plant, they have a similar function: both coffee and chocolate stimulate the body. Chocolate contains theobromine while coffee contains caffeine.
These two compounds raise levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body. Because theobromine is exclusively found in chocolate and tea, it stimulates in a milder and less effective manner than caffeine. - Both Beans Are High in Antioxidants
Although cacao has a higher concentration than coffee, both are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that may protect your cells from free radicals, which have been linked to heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. Some include vitamins C and E, as well as carotenoids. - They Share Similar Steps of Processing
To yield the final finished product that is either cocoa or coffee, both beans undergo fermentation, drying, and roasting. During harvesting, farmers physically select the ripe fruits of both plants.
Both theobroma cacao and coffea arabica need about 5 years to produce berries or cherries. When the fruit in coffee and pods in cacao are picked, they’re left for fermentation, then they’re dried and roasted for their rich aroma.
Differences Between Cocoa Beans and Coffee Beans
- They Come From Different Plants
Coffee beans and cocoa beans come from two very different plants from two different continents. Theobroma cacao, or “fruit of the gods,” is an evergreen tree with fruits and blooms that grow straight up the trunk. It is native to lowland rainforests of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.
Coffea arabica, on the other hand, is a tropical evergreen plant (genus Coffea) that grows between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. In this light, it is found in central and South America, Africa and The Middle East, and Southeast Asia. - Physical Appearance
The coffee bean is smaller than cocoa beans and has a raisin-like shape. The cocoa bean, on the other hand, is larger and more akin to conventional beans like the kidney bean or the common bean in shape.
In addition, unlike coffee beans, which come in a pod with multiple seeds that are all covered in the fleshy part of the fruit, cocoa beans come in a pod with numerous seeds that are all covered in the fleshy part of the fruit. - End Product
The obvious difference between cocoa beans and coffee is that coffee beans are used to make coffee, whilst cocoa beans are used to make chocolate in various forms. Cocoa beans are seeds from theobroma cacao that have been dried and fully fermented, from which cocoa solids are extracted.
In truth, the coffee bean isn’t really a bean at all. After all, it is a seed derived from the coffee fruit. The ‘coffee bean’ is frequently referred to as the coffee fruit’s pit, and the fruit resembles a cherry. - Taste
Cocoa has a more bitter and powerful flavor, whereas coffee has a more deep and earthy flavor, though darker roasts can be bitter as well. In light of this, darker coffee tends to be bitter because of its level of roasting which impacts whether it’s mild or robust. As a rule of thumb, the darker the coffee, the more bitter it is.
Cocoa, on the other hand, has no sweetness and instead has a strong, bitter flavor. In fact, whatever chocolate flavor you’re hooked on would be so bitter if it was made of cocoa alone. You literally wouldn’t want anything to do with it! Sugar is, therefore, a powerful ingredient in chocolate. - Antioxidant Content
As mentioned before, cocoa and coffee beans have high amounts of antioxidants. Coffee has fewer, but it has a stronger antioxidant activity if both are taken as beverages.
Coffee, therefore, has a stronger antioxidant activity on a cup-serving basis when compared to tea and cocoa. It’s also a powerful stimulant thanks to its caffeine. Cocoa is nevertheless another powerful antioxidant that’s packed with procyanidins and flavonoids. - Number of Calories
Coffee beans (including oily coffee beans) have nearly no calories, but cocoa beans have a higher calorie content. If you’re a glorified barista or simply can’t keep off your daily cup of coffee, at least there’s a perk: it won’t help you gain weight!
Bottom Line
Coffee, when ground into little pieces, has a similar, almost powder-like feel, but don’t confuse it with cocoa powder. They’re distinct in terms of their essence and flavor. Nevertheless, they’re both amazing additions to our beverage menu as well as a variety of other treats!
