Introduction

Have you ever wondered about the size of a coffee bean? These little seeds are the source of one of the world's most beloved beverages, coffee. Even though they're small, coffee beans have a big impact on our everyday lives. They also come in different sizes and shapes depending on their variety. ## The Average Coffee Bean Size On average, a coffee bean is about 10 millimeters long and has a width of around 6 millimeters. To put this in perspective, if you were to line up ten average-sized coffee beans end to end, they would be about as long as a credit card.

An average coffee bean is 10 millimeters long.
The width of a coffee bean is roughly 6 millimeters.
Ten coffee beans lined up are approximately the length of a credit card.

Size Differences in Coffee Bean Varieties

There are two main varieties of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are the most popular worldwide and make up about 60% of all coffee production. They are oval-shaped and a bit larger, usually measuring between 9 and 11 millimeters. The other 40% of coffee production comes from Robusta beans, which are rounder and smaller, usually measuring between 6.5 and 8.5 millimeters.

Arabica beans measure between 9 and 11 millimeters.
Robusta beans measure between 6.5 and 8.5 millimeters.
Arabica beans are oval-shaped, while Robusta beans are rounder.

An Interesting Size Anomaly: The Peaberry

Coffee cherries, the fruit the beans come from, usually contain two beans. However, about 10% to 15% of the time, a coffee cherry will contain only one bean. This is called a "peaberry," and it's a bit smaller than other coffee beans. Peaberries are round and tend to be about 5 millimeters in size. Some coffee connoisseurs believe that peaberries have a more intense flavor due to their unique shape and size.

Peaberries are smaller coffee beans, measuring about 5 millimeters.
They are round and usually found alone in a coffee cherry.
Some people believe they have a more robust flavor.

The Impact of Bean Size on Taste

You might be wondering if a coffee bean's size affects its taste. While the size itself might not have a direct impact, the variety of the bean certainly does. Arabica beans tend to have a smoother, more complex flavor, while Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter taste. The smaller peaberries are considered by some to have a more concentrated flavor.

Arabica beans, which are larger, have a smooth and complex flavor.
Robusta beans, which are smaller, have a stronger and more bitter taste.
Peaberries, the smallest, may have a more concentrated flavor.

Conclusion

While small in size, coffee beans certainly pack a punch when it comes to their influence on our daily lives. They fuel our mornings, power our afternoons, and come in such varieties that there's a flavor for every palate. The next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, take a moment to think about the tiny beans that made it all possible.

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