59 Coffee Trivia Questions So Intriguing, You Can't Start Your Day Without Them!

Coffee is more than just a morning ritual or an afternoon pick-me-up; it’s a complex world brimming with history, variety, and trivia that can fascinate even the most knowledgeable of coffee aficionados. From the discovery of coffee beans to the intricate processes of cultivation and brewing, coffee has a rich narrative that spans across cultures and continents. The beverage has not only sparked a global industry but has also brewed its way into the heart of social customs and personal routines.

For those looking to deepen their understanding of this beloved drink, exploring coffee trivia questions is a delightful way to uncover the lesser-known facts and stories behind every cup. These questions can test your knowledge on everything from the origin of the coffee plant to the difference between Arabica and Robusta, or the nuances that define the taste of a perfectly pulled espresso shot. Whether you’re a casual drinker or a dedicated barista, the world of coffee trivia is as layered and diverse as the drink itself.

As we delve into the 59 intriguing coffee trivia questions, prepare to embark on a journey through the aromatic lanes of history, science, and culture that have shaped the coffee experience worldwide. Each question serves as a gateway to a deeper appreciation of the art and science of coffee, so grab your favorite mug and let’s explore the rich tapestry of coffee knowledge.

Table of Contents

Coffee Trivia Questions – Round 1

What type of coffee bean is known for its smooth flavor?
- A) Arabica
- B) Robusta
- C) Liberica
- D) Excelsa
Which country is the largest producer of coffee in the world?
- A) Brazil
- B) Vietnam
- C) Colombia
- D) Ethiopia
What does the term “single origin” coffee mean?
- A) Blended from multiple countries
- B) From one specific location
- C) Made with one type of bean
- D) Sourced from a single farm
What is a “flat white”?
- A) Espresso with cold milk
- B) Espresso with hot water
- C) Espresso with steamed milk
- D) Coffee with no milk
What process removes caffeine from coffee beans?
- A) Dry process
- B) Wet process
- C) Swiss Water Process
- D) Fermentation
What is a common method for brewing Turkish coffee?
- A) Using a drip filter
- B) Boiling it in a pot
- C) Pressing it in a French press
- D) Pouring it over ice
Which method involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period?
- A) Espresso
- B) Cold brew
- C) Turkish coffee
- D) Aeropress
What does “espresso” mean in Italian?
- A) Expressed
- B) Pressed out
- C) Strong
- D) Black
In which country did the coffeehouse first become popular?
- A) Italy
- B) Turkey
- C) France
- D) England
What is the ideal temperature for brewing coffee?
- A) 195°F to 205°F
- B) 175°F to 185°F
- C) 205°F to 215°F
- D) 185°F to 195°F

Round 1 – Answers

What type of coffee bean is known for its smooth flavor?
- Answer: A) Arabica
Which country is the largest producer of coffee in the world?
- Answer: A) Brazil
What does the term “single origin” coffee mean?
- Answer: B) From one specific location
What is a “flat white”?
- Answer: C) Espresso with steamed milk
What process removes caffeine from coffee beans?
- Answer: C) Swiss Water Process
What is a common method for brewing Turkish coffee?
- Answer: B) Boiling it in a pot
Which method involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period?
- Answer: B) Cold brew
What does “espresso” mean in Italian?
- Answer: A) Expressed
In which country did the coffeehouse first become popular?
- Answer: B) Turkey
What is the ideal temperature for brewing coffee?
- Answer: A) 195°F to 205°F

Coffee Trivia Questions – Round 2

Which coffee drink consists of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam?
- A) Latte
- B) Cappuccino
- C) Macchiato
- D) Americano
What is the term for the fruity, flower-like essence in coffee?
- A) Acidity
- B) Body
- C) Aroma
- D) Flavor
Which device is used to brew coffee under pressure?
- A) Chemex
- B) Espresso machine
- C) French press
- D) Percolator
What is a “ristretto”?
- A) A long shot of espresso
- B) A short shot of espresso
- C) A double espresso
- D) Espresso with milk
What does “mocha” refer to?
- A) A strong black coffee
- B) A coffee with chocolate flavoring
- C) Coffee with a dash of milk
- D) A spicy coffee variant
What does the Italian “macchiato” mean?
- A) Stained
- B) Layered
- C) Shaken
- D) Mixed
What is “peaberry” coffee?
- A) A coffee blend
- B) A coffee brand
- C) A type of coffee bean
- D) A coffee flavoring
Which process dries coffee cherries in the sun to extract the bean?
- A) Wet processing
- B) Dry processing
- C) Honey processing
- D) Swiss Water process
What is a coffee cherry?
- A) A type of bean
- B) The fruit that of the coffee plant
- C) A coffee-flavored cherry
- D) A decoration for coffee cups
Which device is best for making a single cup of coffee directly into the cup?
- A) Espresso machine
- B) French press
- C) Pour-over dripper
- D) Siphon coffee maker

Round 2 – Answers

Which coffee drink consists of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam?
- Answer: B) Cappuccino
What is the term for the fruity, flower-like essence in coffee?
- Answer: A) Acidity
Which device is used to brew coffee under pressure?
- Answer: B) Espresso machine
What is a “ristretto”?
- Answer: B) A short shot of espresso
What does “mocha” refer to?
- Answer: B) A coffee with chocolate flavoring
What does the Italian “macchiato” mean?
- Answer: A) Stained
What is “peaberry” coffee?
- Answer: C) A type of coffee bean
Which process dries coffee cherries in the sun to extract the bean?
- Answer: B) Dry processing
What is a coffee cherry?
- Answer: B) The fruit that of the coffee plant
Which device is best for making a single cup of coffee directly into the cup?
- Answer: C) Pour-over dripper

Coffee Trivia Questions – Round 3

What characterizes a “light roast” coffee?
- A) Dark brown color
- B) Strong flavor
- C) Higher acidity
- D) Lower caffeine content
What is a “French Press” also known as?
- A) Drip brewer
- B) Percolator
- C) Press pot
- D) Moka pot
Which coffee variety is known for its distinctive elephant bean shape?
- A) Arabica
- B) Robusta
- C) Maragogype
- D) Liberica
What is the purpose of steaming milk for coffee drinks?
- A) To cool it down
- B) To create foam
- C) To increase its volume
- D) Both B and C
What is the main characteristic of Robusta coffee beans compared to Arabica?
- A) Sweeter taste
- B) Lower acidity
- C) Higher caffeine content
- D) More expensive
What is the term for coffee brewed by dripping hot water through grounds placed in a filter?
- A) Espresso
- B) Drip coffee
- C) French press
- D) Siphon
Which drink is made by layering steamed milk and a shot of espresso, then topped with a little foam?
- A) Cappuccino
- B) Latte
- C) Macchiato
- D) Mocha
What does “barista” mean in Italian?
- A) Bartender
- B) Coffee lover
- C) Coffee maker
- D) Chef
What is the main difference between a latte and a flat white?
- A) The type of coffee bean used
- B) The amount of milk
- C) The temperature of the milk
- D) The ratio of espresso to milk
What is the term for a coffee shop’s signature blend of beans?
- A) Espresso blend
- B) House blend
- C) Single origin
- D) Premium blend

Round 3 – Answers

What characterizes a “light roast” coffee?
- Answer: C) Higher acidity
What is a “French Press” also known as?
- Answer: C) Press pot
Which coffee variety is known for its distinctive elephant bean shape?
- Answer: C) Maragogype
What is the purpose of steaming milk for coffee drinks?
- Answer: D) Both B and C
What is the main characteristic of Robusta coffee beans compared to Arabica?
- Answer: C) Higher caffeine content
What is the term for coffee brewed by dripping hot water through grounds placed in a filter?
- Answer: B) Drip coffee
Which drink is made by layering steamed milk and a shot of espresso, then topped with a little foam?
- Answer: B) Latte
What does “barista” mean in Italian?
- Answer: A) Bartender
What is the main difference between a latte and a flat white?
- Answer: D) The ratio of espresso to milk
What is the term for a coffee shop’s signature blend of beans?
- Answer: B) House blend

Coffee Trivia Questions – Round 4

What is a characteristic flavor note of Ethiopian coffee?
- A) Nutty
- B) Floral
- C) Chocolatey
- D) Spicy
Which country is known for a coffee ceremony that includes roasting, grinding, and brewing in a single session?
- A) Brazil
- B) Ethiopia
- C) Italy
- D) Vietnam
What does a “double shot” of espresso refer to?
- A) Two separate shots of espresso
- B) A stronger version of a single shot
- C) A shot made with double the amount of coffee
- D) Both A and C
What does the coffee term “acidic” refer to?
- A) The pH level of the coffee
- B) A sour taste
- C) A bright, tangy flavor characteristic
- D) The coffee’s bitterness
What role does the “grind size” play in brewing coffee?
- A) Determines the brewing time
- B) Affects the coffee’s strength and flavor
- C) Changes the coffee’s color
- D) Both A and B
What does the Italian term “affogato” mean in relation to coffee?
- A) Mixed
- B) Drowned
- C) Stirred
- D) Shaken
Which coffee drink is traditionally served in a glass and combines espresso with hot milk and foam?
- A) Latte Macchiato
- B) Cortado
- C) Flat White
- D) Ristretto
What is the main factor affecting the caffeine content in a cup of coffee?
- A) The color of the roast
- B) The serving size
- C) The type of coffee bean
- D) The temperature of the water
Which brewing method involves full immersion and a metal filter?
- A) Aeropress
- B) Espresso
- C) Siphon
- D) French press
What is the term for espresso with a splash of hot milk?
- A) Macchiato
- B) Cappuccino
- C) Latte
- D) Cortado

Round 4 – Answers

What is a characteristic flavor note of Ethiopian coffee?
- Answer: B) Floral
Which country is known for a coffee ceremony that includes roasting, grinding, and brewing in a single session?
- Answer: B) Ethiopia
What does a “double shot” of espresso refer to?
- Answer: D) Both A and C
What does the coffee term “acidic” refer to?
- Answer: C) A bright, tangy flavor characteristic
What role does the “grind size” play in brewing coffee?
- Answer: D) Both A and B
What does the Italian term “affogato” mean in relation to coffee?
- Answer: B) Drowned
Which coffee drink is traditionally served in a glass and combines espresso with hot milk and foam?
- Answer: A) Latte Macchiato
What is the main factor affecting the caffeine content in a cup of coffee?
- Answer: C) The type of coffee bean
Which brewing method involves full immersion and a metal filter?
- Answer: D) French press
What is the term for espresso with a splash of hot milk?
- Answer: D) Cortado

Coffee Trivia Questions – Round 5

Which country is famous for its Blue Mountain coffee?
- A) Colombia
- B) Jamaica
- C) Brazil
- D) Ethiopia
What is the process of adding hot water to espresso known as?
- A) Macchiato
- B) Lungo
- C) Americano
- D) Ristretto
In which coffee drink do you find a layer of chocolate between two shots of espresso?
- A) Mocha
- B) Macchiato
- C) Marocchino
- D) Affogato
What is the Italian word for the traditional morning coffee and milk drink served hot?
- A) Espresso
- B) Caffè latte
- C) Cappuccino
- D) Macchiato
Which method of coffee brewing uses pressure to force water through coffee grounds?
- A) Drip coffee
- B) Espresso
- C) French press
- D) Siphon
What is the name of the scale used to measure the darkness of the roast?
- A) Agtron
- B) Brunet
- C) Roastometer
- D) Chroma
What is the name for a large, bowl-shaped coffee cup used for serving café au lait?
- A) Demitasse
- B) Mug
- C) Bol
- D) Tasse
Which grinder type is known for producing a more uniform grind size for coffee?
- A) Blade
- B) Burr
- C) Manual
- D) Disc
What term describes the mouthfeel of coffee that coats the tongue?
- A) Body
- B) Acidity
- C) Texture
- D) Aftertaste
Which coffee brewing technique involves immersion and vacuum pressure?
- A) Espresso
- B) Pour-over
- C) Siphon
- D) Aeropress

Round 5 – Answers

Which country is famous for its Blue Mountain coffee?
- Answer: B) Jamaica
What is the process of adding hot water to espresso known as?
- Answer: C) Americano
In which coffee drink do you find a layer of chocolate between two shots of espresso?
- Answer: C) Marocchino
What is the Italian word for the traditional morning coffee and milk drink served hot?
- Answer: B) Caffè latte
Which method of coffee brewing uses pressure to force water through coffee grounds?
- Answer: B) Espresso
What is the name of the scale used to measure the darkness of the roast?
- Answer: A) Agtron
What is the name for a large, bowl-shaped coffee cup used for serving café au lait?
- Answer: C) Bol
Which grinder type is known for producing a more uniform grind size for coffee?
- Answer: B) Burr
What term describes the mouthfeel of coffee that coats the tongue?
- Answer: A) Body
Which coffee brewing technique involves immersion and vacuum pressure?
- Answer: C) Siphon

Coffee Trivia Questions – Bonus Round

What is a common characteristic of Kenyan coffee?
- A) Winey acidity
- B) Earthy tones
- C) Chocolate notes
- D) Nutty aftertaste
Which type of coffee is traditionally made using a cloth bag filter?
- A) Turkish
- B) Vietnamese
- C) Italian espresso
- D) American drip
What does the coffee term “quakers” refer to?
- A) Unripe coffee beans
- B) Over-roasted beans
- C) Under-roasted beans
- D) Beans affected by a fungal disease
Which coffee drink is essentially a shot of espresso “marked” with a dollop of foam?
- A) Latte
- B) Cappuccino
- C) Macchiato
- D) Cortado
What is the term for the foam on top of a freshly made espresso?
- A) Cream
- B) Crema
- C) Froth
- D) Foam
Which coffee drink is made by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso, creating a pattern or design on the surface?
- A) Latte Art
- B) Cappuccino
- C) Macchiato
- D) Americano
What is a common method for making traditional Ethiopian coffee?
- A) Boiling in a pot
- B) In a siphon brewer
- C) In a clay pot called a jebena
- D) Pour-over method
Which coffee variety is known for its resistance to disease and higher caffeine content?
- A) Arabica
- B) Robusta
- C) Liberica
- D) Excelsa
In what type of establishment did coffee first become popular in the Ottoman Empire?
- A) Cafes
- B) Coffeehouses
- C) Tea gardens
- D) Royal courts

Too easy for you? Try our Coffee Clue Search Puzzles

Bonus Round – Answers

What is a common characteristic of Kenyan coffee?
- Answer: A) Winey acidity
Which type of coffee is traditionally made using a cloth bag filter?
- Answer: B) Vietnamese
What does the coffee term “quakers” refer to?
- Answer: A) Unripe coffee beans
Which coffee drink is essentially a shot of espresso “marked” with a dollop of foam?
- Answer: C) Macchiato
What is the term for the foam on top of a freshly made espresso?
- Answer: B) Crema
Which coffee drink is made by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso, creating a pattern or design on the surface?
- Answer: A) Latte Art
What is a common method for making traditional Ethiopian coffee?
- Answer: C) In a clay pot called a jebena
Which coffee variety is known for its resistance to disease and higher caffeine content?
- Answer: B) Robusta
In what type of establishment did coffee first become popular in the Ottoman Empire?
- Answer: B) Coffeehouses

59 Coffee Trivia Questions So Intriguing, You Can’t Start Your Day Without Them!