English Reference

Word

green beans

Phoneticsgreen·beans

US/ɡriːn biːnz/

UK/ɡriːn biːnz/

Definition

compound. raw coffee seeds that have been removed from the fruit but not yet roasted, usually appearing pale green or grayish in color

compound. the raw, unroasted seeds of the Coffea plant that have been processed to remove the outer fruit layers and dried to a specific moisture content.

Examples

“The coffee roaster buys green beans from farmers in Brazil.”

“Before we can brew this coffee, we must put the green beans into the roaster to develop their flavor.”

“The moisture content and density of the green beans are critical variables that dictate the specific heat profile required during the initial drying phase of the roast.”

Examples

simple

“The coffee roaster buys green beans from farmers in Brazil.”

contextual

“Before we can brew this coffee, we must put the green beans into the roaster to develop their flavor.”

complex

“The moisture content and density of the green beans are critical variables that dictate the specific heat profile required during the initial drying phase of the roast.”

Real-World Examples

“A green bean is far too hard and dense to grind well, and if you tried to brew it, you’d get a thin, vegetal liquid with none of the depth you’d expect.”
Pact Coffee · 27 Jul 2026
“Green bean samples are essential for roasters, allowing you to make informed purchasing decisions.”
Perfect Daily Grind · 29 Jul 2019

Etymology

Derived from Old English 'grene' (color of growing plants) and 'bean' (seed), referring to the natural, raw state of the seed before heat treatment turns it brown.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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