Cocoa Beans vs Coffee Beans: The Difference Between Them

Do you prefer coffee over chocolate? Or is it the other way around? Whatever your preference, both ingredients are processed in exciting ways.

However, are cocoa beans the same as coffee beans? In short, they are not. Although they look similar and are often combined, the distinguishing factors of cocoa beans vs coffee beans are categorized into origin, composition, and flavor.

Check out this article to discover the differences between coffee and cocoa beans, from genetics to unique processing methods!

Are Coffee Beans and Cocoa Beans Similar?

Indeed, coffee and cocoa beans are similar in terms of appearance. However, they are derived from entirely different plants! Coffee beans are produced from the Coffea tree, while cocoa beans are only from the Theobroma Cacao tree.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that cocoa beans are significantly larger than coffee beans. Additionally, their texture tends to be more fragile, whereas coffee beans are more robust.

What about the taste? Generally, coffee beans can be processed into bitter and aromatic coffee drinks. On the other hand, cocoa beans produce a distinctive and naturally sweet-tasting drink!

Also read: Perfect Me Time! 4 The Best Way to Enjoy Coffee

Are Cacao and Coffee Genetically Related?

Genetically, both coffee and cacao beans come from different families of trees. Coffee plants are classified as trees from the Rubiaceae family, while cacao is from the Malvaceae family. Both plants thrive in tropical regions. With intensive care, you can produce quality beans from both!

Coming from different plant families, coffee and chocolate contain different compounds. Coffee contains caffeine, while cocoa is high in theobromine. Besides affecting the beverage’s taste, these distinct compounds offer various health benefits for our bodies!

What Is the Caffeine Content for Cacao and Coffee?

The next difference between cocoa beans vs coffee beans is the caffeine content. Both coffee and cocoa beans contain caffeine, but the quantity varies.

You will find as much as 95 mg of caffeine in one cup of coffee. Meanwhile, in one cup of hot chocolate, the caffeine content is only 10-15 mg.

Despite the low caffeine content, cocoa beans also contain theobromine, similar to caffeine but milder. As a result, you can enjoy sustained energy levels and an improved mood. Chocolate drinks may be a gentler alternative if you’re sensitive to caffeine consumption.

What are the Health Benefits of Cacao and Coffee?

What are the health benefits of cacao and coffee? Here are some of the health benefits:

1. High Antioxidants

In coffee, you’ll find an abundance of antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid. Meanwhile, cacao beans are high in flavonoids that fight various free radicals. Both will help keep your heart healthy and prevent premature aging!

2. Boosts Energy and Focus

There’s no denying that coffee is the best beverage to keep us going, whether in the morning or at work. The caffeine content in it will provide some energy and improve focus instantly. On the other hand, cocoa beans help keep you productive throughout the day.

3. Maintains Heart Health

Several studies have shown that consuming coffee regularly will minimize heart disease and stroke. This is all thanks to its antioxidant content, which reduces LDL and increases HDL.

Meanwhile, cocoa beans are rich in flavonoids. These compounds help improve blood circulation, reduce the amount of blood pressure, and avoiding plaque formation in the arteries that can harm the heart organ.

4. Improves Mood

Have you ever felt happy right after consuming coffee or chocolate? This is because both are rich in ingredients that can affect our mood.

In cocoa, these ingredients are serotonin, endorphins, and phenylethylamine. Meanwhile, the caffeine in coffee provides a stimulant effect, which boosts our mood!

5. Maintains Brain Health

Both coffee beans and chocolate are beneficial for protecting the brain and improving cognitive function. Consuming coffee regularly will help improve your short-term memory, alertness levels, and ability to learn new things. It can also minimize the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

On the other hand, cocoa beans are high in flavonoids, which boost our brain function, improving our focus and memory. According to the research, consuming cocoa regularly will slow the decline of your brain’s cognitive function!

Also read: Luwak Coffee Benefits: Buckle up, This Will Be A Long List!

Coffee Beans vs Cocoa Beans – Harvesting Processes

The quality of both coffee and cocoa beans indeed hinges on the harvesting process. Each step, from picking to final production, involves a meticulous and often intricate sequence of actions.

Indonesia’s tropical climate is perfect for cultivating renowned coffee and cocoa beans. Let’s delve into the harvesting processes of these two crops!

1. Coffee Beans

The harvesting process of cocoa and coffee beans has different stages. With coffee beans, you will only find the following two stages:

1. Processing: This stage is the picking of fully ripe coffee beans. This is generally done by hand picking and will then be processed to separate the beans from the pulp.
2. Drying: These coffee beans will be dried until the moisture content is only 10-12%. Usually, the drying process is done traditionally and must be turned periodically for even drying.

2. Cocoa Beans

Compared to coffee beans, the harvesting process of cocoa beans is no less unique! It goes through several processes to produce a rich and deep flavor. Here are some of the stages:

1. Picking: First, fully ripe cocoa pods are carefully harvested with a sharp knife or a machete. Immature pods will not produce quality beans. They must ensure the maturity of the fruit so that the cacao tree remains productive and the branches are not damaged.
2. Pod & Beans Separation: Next, the fruit is split open, and the beans and flesh are separated. Opened with simple tools, the beans will not be easily damaged. Usually, the flesh will be processed back into juice or used as an additional fermentation ingredient.
3. Processing (Fermentation): Ferment to bring out the distinctive flavor of chocolate. Collect all the cacao beans in a wooden container. Then, cover them with banana leaves for 5-7 days.
4. Drying: After the fermentation process, dry the beans under the sun. This will reduce the moisture content to 7%. You must be careful in this drying process to avoid mold and produce high-quality beans!
5. Aging: Unlike coffee, cocoa beans must be stored for several months. This will help produce the distinctive flavor and aroma of chocolate, which is very strong. With proper handling, these beans can be the main ingredient to make premium chocolates.

Coffee Beans vs Cocoa Beans – Roasting

How do you bring out the flavors of coffee and cocoa beans? The key is the proper roasting process! Here’s how the roasting process differs between coffee and cocoa beans.

1. Roasting Temperature and Time

Generally, coffee beans will be roasted at a high temperature between 180°C-250°C. You can also choose the roasting level according to your taste, ranging from light to medium to dark. This changes the coffee beans color from green to brownish.

Cocoa beans, on the other hand, are roasted at a lower temperature with a range of 120°C-135°C. With slower heating, the original flavor of the cocoa beans can be maintained, and the production of acetic acid content can be reduced.

Also read: 4 Coffee Roasting Levels Chart with Image & Guide

2. Chemical Changes

During the roasting process, the natural sugar content in coffee will undergo a Maillard reaction, giving it a caramel-like flavor. In fact, you can hear a cracking sound at some stage, which indicates that the texture and aroma have changed.

On the other hand, roasting cocoa beans focuses on developing their flavor without losing their original characteristics. The flavor tends to be more subtle as the chemical reaction is less complex than coffee!

3. Final Flavor

The final flavor of a coffee drink largely depends on the degree of roasting you do. The longer and higher the temperature, the more bitter and full of spice the flavor will be. On the other hand, a low roast level makes the flavor quite sour and has fruity notes.

Cocoa beans, on the other hand, produce chocolate that tends to be bitter but with a hint of sweetness from the cocoa pod’s pulp. This chocolate retains the nutty and fruity aftertaste with a gentle roasting process.

Choose, Enjoy, and Support Local Products

That’s the little difference between cocoa beans vs coffee beans that you need to know. Now, there’s clarity between the two! From the type of plant and the processing to the presentation, coffee and cocoa beans have their uniqueness!

So, which is your daily favorite beverage dish? If you love coffee with a chocolate-like flavor profile, try FnB Coffee’s wide selection of Indonesian Robusta coffee!

Savor the fragrant aroma and delicious flavor in every sip. If you still need to decide what kind of beans to buy, try our best-selling Sumatra Tiger and Robusta coffees!

What are you waiting for? Order your favorite beans and make your daily coffee experience even more special!