What are unroasted (green) coffee beans?
Unroasted coffee beans, also called green coffee, are the seeds of the coffee fruit after they have been picked, processed and dried. They are pale green to yellowish, hard, and smell grassy or hay-like. Almost all coffee is traded in this form before it is roasted. See processing methods for how beans are prepared, and moisture levels for what stable green coffee looks like.
What are roasted coffee beans?
Roasted beans are green coffee that has been heated in a roaster until chemical reactions create colour, aroma and flavour. Roasting expands the beans, makes them brittle, and drives off water. Roast level ranges from light to dark and changes flavour a great deal. See the roasting guide and roasting levels.
Key differences at a glance
| Factor | Unroasted (green) | Roasted |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale green, hard, dense | Brown to dark, brittle, often oily when dark |
| Smell | Grassy, hay-like | Rich, coffee aroma |
| Flavour | Not drinkable as coffee | Flavour set by roast level |
| Shelf life | Months when stored well | Best within weeks |
| Storage | Cool, dry, ventilated | Sealed, cool and dark |
| Equipment needed | A roaster before use | Grinder and brewer only |
| Price per kg | Lower | Higher (roasting adds cost and weight loss) |
| Control over flavour | High, you roast it | Fixed by the roaster |
| Best for | Roasters, roastery start-ups, home roasters | Cafés, shops and drinkers who want to brew now |
Shelf life and freshness
Green coffee is relatively stable when kept at about 10–12% moisture in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, and may hold its quality for months, though flavour does fade over time. Roasted coffee releases gas after roasting and then loses aroma as it oxidises, so many people aim to use it within a few weeks. Heat and humidity speed up both. See storage tips, resting roasted coffee and roasting in Malaysia’s heat and humidity.
Price and weight: what you really pay for
Roasting drives off about 12–20% of the weight, so one kilogram of green coffee gives less than one kilogram of roasted coffee. That is one reason roasted coffee costs more per kilogram, besides labour, energy and packaging. Work through the numbers in the green coffee price guide.
Flavour control: why roasters buy green
Roast level and profile shape sweetness, acidity, body and bitterness. Buying green gives you control over all of it. You can roast light for florals, medium for sweetness or dark for traditional kopi, and change course when a crop changes. See roast profiles explained and light vs dark roast.
Which should you buy?
| If you are... | Choose |
|---|---|
| A roaster or roastery start-up | Unroasted. See how to start a coffee roastery |
| A café that roasts in-house | Unroasted |
| A café or shop that wants to brew now | Roasted, from a trusted roaster |
| A manufacturer making premix or instant | Unroasted, or roasted to your spec. See Robusta for instant coffee |
| A home user who enjoys roasting | Unroasted in small amounts. See home roasting tips |
| A home user who just wants coffee | Roasted |
See why buy unroasted coffee beans for the full list of benefits and requirements.
Is green coffee the same as green coffee extract?
No. Green coffee beans are the raw seeds used by roasters. “Green coffee extract” is a different product sold as a supplement. This page is about beans for roasting and does not make health claims about extracts. For general health information about coffee, see health benefits.
Where to buy unroasted coffee beans in Malaysia
Scofi supplies unroasted Arabica and Robusta from local Malaysia stock, with specs and samples. See buy green coffee beans online, how to buy and green coffee sample packs.
FAQ: Unroasted vs roasted coffee beans
Can you drink unroasted coffee beans?
Unroasted beans are not used as ordinary coffee. They are roasted first for flavour and aroma.
Do green coffee beans last longer than roasted?
Yes. Green coffee can keep for months when stored well; roasted coffee is best within weeks.
Is green coffee cheaper than roasted coffee?
Per kilogram, yes, but roasting loses 12–20% of the weight and requires equipment and skill.
Do green beans have caffeine?
Yes. Caffeine is present in green beans and is stable through roasting. See roast level and caffeine.
How do I store green coffee?
Cool, dry, ventilated and off the floor, in suitable packaging. See storage tips.
What equipment do I need to use green coffee?
A roaster, plus cooling, scales and safe ventilation.
Can I roast green coffee at home?
Yes, with suitable equipment and safety precautions. See home roasting tips.
Where can I buy unroasted coffee beans in Malaysia?
From suppliers such as Scofi in Butterworth, Penang. Contact us.
