Return to Scale View
About News Create With Us
Return to Scale View

How big is a Coffee Bean?

A Coffee Bean is 10 millimeters

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.

Smaller By Category
Largest Bacteria
The largest bacteria, which is Thiomargarita magnifica, is almost one centimeter in length. It was discovered in the swamps of Guadeloupe. Can you imagine being in the water and seeing these things? They're very visible!
Sunflower Seed
Sunflower seeds are exhilaratingly delicious. They are so yummy, they can be made into "sunflower seed bread"! Sunflower seeds are not real seeds. They are the fruits of the sunflower! They are only called "seeds" because they resemble other seeds.
Sleet
Sleet, which falls from the sky, is made of ice pellets. That ball to the left is an ice pellet. Sleet is similar to snow, but it's much denser. You also may have noticed that sleet is significantly smaller than hail.
Larger By Category
Glass Marble
Glass marbles are round, but they're actually quite rough if you look at them under a microscope. This marble is an example of a toothpaste marble. Other marbles can be made of wood, plastic, metal, or even dirt.
U.S. Penny
Did you know that in 1912, the penny was worth what the quarter is worth now? Also, if you melt a penny down into zinc and copper, it would be worth 2.5 cents. That is illegal, so don't do it.
Square Inch
If you aren't accustomed to the metric system, here's a square inch. Unfortunately for you, almost everything else is in the metric system. Also, 2.5 centimeters is the length of one side, not the area. (That would be in cm^2.)