70 Coffee Trivia Questions to Test How Much of a Coffee Pro You Are

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Calling all coffee lovers! We’ve got a really fun trivia post for you this week… all about COFFEE!

It’s no secret that coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. But how much do you really know about it?

In this post, we are going to dive into some coffee trivia questions to test your knowledge about this beloved beverage.

Do you know what country is the world’s largest coffee bean producer? Where the most expensive type of coffee comes from? Keep reading to find out the answers to these coffee trivia questions and more!

* This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful content. Thanks!

Before you dive into all the fun, we invite you to bookmark or save some of these other food-related trivia quizzes for later! There’s no end to the trivia fun you can have!

Table of Contents

Interesting and Fun Coffee Trivia Questions and Answers

What country is the world’s largest coffee bean producer?

Answer: Brazil.

From which US city and state did Peet’s Coffee originate?

Answer: Berkeley, California.

Do coffee beans grown in the ground, on vines, or on trees?

Answer: On small trees (that can take on a tree-like or shrub-like form).

What is the slogan of Folgers Coffee?

Answer: ‘The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup’.

What color apron signifies a Coffee Master at Starbucks, meaning a barista has taken extra courses in coffee knowledge and preparation?

Answer: Black.

If you wanted a higher level of caffeine in your coffee drink, what type of roast would you opt for?

Answer: Light roast.

What kind of grind would you be using if you wanted to make coffee in a French press?

Answer: Coarsely ground.

What kind of grind would you be using if you wanted to make an espresso?

Answer: Finely ground.

What coffee beans, among the world’s most expensive, are grown in the mineral-rich laval fields of the Mauna Loa and Hualalai volcanoes?

Answer: Kona coffee.

While there are many brands and roasts out there, there are far fewer types of coffee beans. What are the two different types of coffee beans?

Answer: Arabica and robusta.

What is the main difference in taste between arabica and robusta?

Answer: Arabica tends to have a smoother, sweeter taste, with flavor notes of chocolate, sugar, fruits or berries. Robusta has a stronger, harsher, and more bitter taste, with grainy overtones.

What are the coffee contents or ingredients you would need to make a ‘red eye’?

Answer: 1 shot of espresso and drip-brewed coffee.

What are the coffee contents or ingredients you would need to make a ‘black eye’?

Answer: 2 shots of espresso and drip-brewed coffee.

Which Atlanta-based tea store did Starbucks buy in 2012–Mighty Leaf, Adagio Teas, or Teavana?

Answer: Teavana.

Prior to the state of California jumping into the coffee game, which state was the only one to grow coffee on US soil?

Answer: Hawaii.

According to the International Coffee Organization, the people of what country are the world’s biggest coffee lovers?

Answer: Finland, with most adults in the country drinking an average of 27.5 pounds of coffee per year.

What beverage is made by adding hot water to espresso?

Answer: An Americano.

If you drink coffee, you may urinate more due to the caffeine content. Does this make coffee a diuretic or anti-diuretic?

Answer: A diuretic. Note: While you may urinate more, coffee doesn’t actually dehydrate you.

If you prefer to keep your coffee as warm as possible for a longer time, what should you consider adding to your drink to make your coffee stay warm for 20% longer?

Answer: Cream; adding cream thickens the coffee (adds viscosity), so it evaporates slower.

What cup size, meaning “thirty” in Italian, was introduced by Starbucks in 2011 for 31-ounce cold beverages?

Answer: Trenta.

Despite its name, does decaf coffee still contain some caffeine?

Answer: Yes, it contains about 2 milligrams of caffeine compared to regular coffee’s 95 milligrams.

Which famous composer wrote an opera humorously dedicated to coffee, known as the “Coffee Cantata”?

Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach.

Which U.S. president was known for consuming up to a gallon of coffee per day?

Answer: Theodore Roosevelt.

Introduced to America in the mid-17th century, coffee quickly became a patriotic staple during the fight for independence. Why did American colonists switch to coffee during the Revolutionary War?

Answer: As a rebellion against heavily-taxed British tea.

About how many milligrams of caffeine is the human body capable of absorbing–is it 200, 300, 400 or 500 milligrams?

Answer: 400. For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects.

Is a coffee bean technically a legume, vegetable, fungi, or fruit?

Answer: A fruit; they are classified as the pit of berries, so by this definition, this makes them a fruit.

If you were to go on the Bulletproof Coffee Diet, what would you be mixing into your coffee?

Answer: Fat (this type of coffee drink is made with two tablespoons of unsalted butter and one to two tablespoons of medium-chain triglyceride oil).

Tim Hortons - Food Trivia Questions And Answers

Tim Hortons, “Home of ____ favourite coffee”, is from what country?

Answer: Canada.

What are the contents of a ‘cortado’ drink?

Answer: 1 shot of espresso, 1 oz. of warm milk, 1 cm of foam.

If you were trying to introduce coffee to a friend of yours who typically does not drink coffee, which introductory coffee drink would make sense to start them off with?

Answer: A latte; cafe lattes are considered an introductory coffee drink since the acidity and bitterness of coffee are cut by the amount of milk in the beverage. Plus, flavoring syrups help, for those who enjoy sweeter drinks.

What type of coffee brewing method describes when coffee is made by letting cold water slowly drip, drop by drop, over coffee grounds?

Answer: Kyoto-style cold brew, or slow drip.

About how many coffee beans does it take to produce one pound of roasted coffee–is it 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 or 4,000?

Answer: 4,000 coffee beans.

How many pounds of coffee beans will a typical coffee tree produce in an annual crop?

Answer: 1-2 pounds per year.

International Coffee Day is celebrated on what day?

Answer: October 1st.

Besides ice, what three ingredients are needed to make a Vietnamese iced coffee?

Answer: Coffee, water, and condensed milk.

Which coffee brand was founded by John Puckett after he was inspired by a trip to Denali National Park in Alaska?

Answer: Caribou Coffee.

What coffee chain, originally starting as a push cart with an espresso machine in Oregon, is now known for its convenient drive-thru locations and unique drinks?

Answer: Dutch Bros. Coffee.

Which coffee brand introduced its iconic “Ice Blended” drinks in 1987 after an employee brought a blender to the store?

Answer: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

From which US city did Starbucks originate?

Answer: Seattle, Washington.

What is the term commonly used to describe the fragrant white blossoms on Kona coffee plants?

Answer: Kona Snow. The scent has been described as a cross between jasmine and orange.

What cloth material is typically used to make coffee sacks?

Answer: Hemp.

What type of coffee is prepared in a cezve using very finely ground coffee beans without filtering (meaning the coffee grounds are left in the coffee when served)?

Answer: Turkish coffee.

Which of these coffee drinks has the most amount of calories–a large Dunkin Donuts Frozen Coffee, a venti-sized Starbucks Brown Sugar Shortbread Latte, or a large McCafé Mocha Frappé?

Answer: Dunkin Donuts Frozen Coffee, clocking in at 1060 calories within 32 fluid ounces. The other two drinks are within the 600-700 calorie range.

What are coffee shops called in Japan?

Answer: ‘Kissaten’.

According to an Ethiopian origin story, coffee was discovered after what animal became energetic after consuming the coffee berries?

Answer: Goats. According to the legend, a goat herder discovered coffee beans after he noticed that his goats became very energetic after eating the special berries.

What drink is Starbucks famous for bringing back on a yearly basis during the fall season?

Answer: Pumpkin Spice Latte.

From which US city and state did Blue Bottle Coffee Co. originate?

Answer: Oakland, California.

This third-wave coffee brand, founded in 2005 in Portland, Oregon, gained popularity for its single-origin coffees and unique brewing methods. Can you name this brand?

Answer: Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

Which third-wave coffee brand, established in 2003 in Los Angeles, California, roasts its beans in-house and offers a range of specialty coffee blends and single-origin options including ones called “El Gato” and “Black Cat”?

Answer: Intelligentsia Coffee.

What food ingredients make up an affogato?

Answer: Affogato is an Italian dessert made of ice cream and coffee.

What is the most expensive type of coffee?

Answer: Kopi luwak, made from coffee beans retrieved from a civet’s poop.

What is the name of the coffee shop in the sitcom Friends?

Answer: Central Perk.

This third-wave coffee brand based in Santa Cruz, California created a popular blend called “Black & Tan,” which combines beans from Ethiopia and Brazil, offering a rich and chocolatey flavor profile. Can you identify this coffee brand?

Answer: Verve Coffee Roasters.

Which renowned espresso machine brand, founded in Italy in 1905, is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and iconic lever-operated machines?

Answer: La Marzocco.

This brewing method, also known as immersion brewing, involves steeping coffee grounds in water for an extended period, producing a full-bodied and rich cup. What is the name of this brewing method?

Answer: French press.

Which espresso machine brand, founded in Italy in 1927, is famous for its stylish and sleek designs, incorporating advanced technologies for consistent and precise espresso extraction?

Answer: Nuova Simonelli.

This brewing method involves water dripping through a filter containing coffee grounds, resulting in a clean and flavorful cup of coffee. What is the name of this brewing method?

Answer: Pour-over brewing or drip brewing.

Kinto, a popular brand known for its minimalist and stylish designs, specializes in which coffee-related product category?

Answer: Kinto specializes in coffee brewing equipment and accessories.

Which country does the Kinto brand originate from?

Answer: Japan.

Nespresso is a well-known brand recognized for its convenient single-serve coffee system. In which country was Nespresso founded?

Answer: Nespresso was founded in Switzerland.

What is the purpose of “purging” in espresso machine maintenance?

Answer: Purging is the process of releasing a small amount of water and steam from the group head to clear any residue or impurities and ensure optimal flavor extraction.

What is the purpose of “blooming” in the pour-over brewing method?

Answer: Blooming is the initial pour of hot water onto the coffee grounds, allowing them to release trapped gases and pre-infuse, leading to a more even extraction and enhanced flavor.

How did the Americano originate?

Answer: An Americano is a drink made from espresso and hot water, originating from World War II when American soldiers stationed in Italy tried to recreate their black coffee.

What distinguishes a mocha from other coffee drinks?

Answer: A mocha is a coffee drink with chocolate, either cocoa powder or chocolate syrup.

What is mocha named after? Hint: It has a historical connection.

Answer: It’s named after the port city of Mokha, Yemen, known for its coffee trade. As the story goes, the beans from Mokha were said to have an element of chocolate in their flavor and tone, and eventually, around the turn of the 20th century, people just started adding the chocolate themselves.

What is microfoam?

Answer: Microfoam is a type of foam made at a lower temperature with smaller, tighter bubbles. It is used in a flat white for its velvety texture.

What is the Cuban version of a cortado, and how is it prepared differently?

Answer: The Cuban version of a cortado is called a cortadito, which includes a dab of sugar or sweetened condensed milk.

What is the traditional topping for a caffè mocha?

Answer: A caffè mocha is traditionally topped with a dusting of cinnamon.

Which two inventors are credited with developing the modern espresso machine that debuted at the 1906 World’s Fair in Milan?

Answer: Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni.

What blue-flowered herb is commonly mixed with coffee in New Orleans to create a unique coffee blend?

Answer: Chicory.

During which conflict did New Orleans coffee drinkers start adding chicory to their coffee due to a shortage of real coffee imports?

Answer: The Civil War.

Which group of Italian monks inspired the name for the cappuccino due to the color of their robes?

Answer: The Capuchin friars.

In the early 1800s, coffee jelly was promoted as an alternative to the hot beverage for those who didn’t like the taste or whose stomachs didn’t agree with the acidity. While its lost popularity in the western world, in which country is coffee jelly still a popular treat, even though it is now rare in the United States?

Answer: Japan.

Why does coffee with cream stay warm longer than black coffee?

Answer: Because darker colors emit heat faster, and adding cream lightens the color, slowing down heat loss.

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