What is Coffee Leaf Tea?

As kaapi lovers, we know that the coffee cherry is an important part of the coffee plant. But for centuries, several regions in the world have also been using the leaves of the coffee tree to brew tea that has not only medicinal benefits but a unique taste too.

Known as kuti in Ethiopia, coffee leaf tea is traditionally consumed in Indonesia and Sudan, too. Keep reading to learn more about this beverage.

How & Why is Coffee Leaf Tea Made?

One of the primary merits of coffee leaf tea is how it helps promote sustainable farming practices. 

When coffee cherries are harvested, the branches and leaves are typically discarded, leading to greater wastage. But when the farms set aside the coffee plant leaves to make tea, it allows for effective utilisation of resources and supports biodiversity.

Moreover, coffee farmers who were initially only compensated for coffee cherries can now find a source of revenue in gathering coffee plant leaves too. This acts as a motivating factor to encourage farmers to be more sustainable, especially because coffee leaves can be harvested year-round, unlike coffee cherries.

Coffee leaf tea is brewed similarly to tea. The leaves are processed using methods such as oxidation or air-drying. During the processing, the flavour compounds in the leaf are released. The dry leaves are then packaged as tea bags or as loose leaves, ready to be shipped to retail outlets or directly to customers.

Depending on how a producer processes coffee leaf tea, the flavour can slightly differ. It is brewed by steeping the leaves in hot water as you would when making tea. This can then be served with sweetener, milk, or spices to adjust the flavour of the beverage, as per taste preferences.

Benefits of Coffee Leaf Tea

Praised for its highly potent antioxidant properties, coffee leaf tea’s benefits over tea and coffee stem from how it boosts our health. 

Those who have a lower caffeine tolerance would be pleased to know that coffee leaf tea has much less caffeine than a cup of tea or coffee. One 8-ounce cup of coffee leaf tea has 20 mg of caffeine compared to 30-50 mg in green tea and 80-100 mg in brewed coffee.

It is also said to reduce bad cholesterol because of the high mangiferin quotient. This phytochemical is known to be beneficial for cardiovascular health and has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Further, other compounds in coffee leaf tea boost our immune system and strengthen cognitive health too.

What Does Coffee Leaf Tea Taste Like?

Unlike what you’re probably thinking, coffee leaf tea doesn’t taste like coffee. Factors like processing method, water temperature, and brewing time affect its flavour profile.

It has a somewhat sweet taste with subtle floral or fruity notes. The taste is sometimes compared to black tea. In some coffee leaf teas, you will also observe hints of vanilla, chocolate, or caramel.

Some coffee leaf teas have a sense of earthiness to their flavour and very little astringency.

Have you tried coffee leaf tea before? Comment and let us know what you thought of it.