No, coffee is not a grain.
Coffee "beans" are actually the roasted seeds of the coffee cherry, a fruit. Grains, on the other hand, are the seeds of cereal grasses like wheat, rice, and corn. Here's a breakdown:
Coffee vs. Grains: Key Differences
| Feature | Coffee | Grains |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Origin | Seed of a fruit (coffee cherry) | Seed of a cereal grass |
| Plant Family | Rubiaceae | Poaceae (Gramineae) |
| Example | Coffea arabica, Coffea robusta | Wheat, rice, corn, barley, oats |
| Part Consumed | Seed (after roasting and processing) | Seed |
| Categorization | Fruit Seed | Cereal |
Therefore, while we often refer to coffee beans, it's important to remember they are seeds derived from a fruit, making them distinct from grains.
