Most of us can’t make it through the workday without a cup of coffee. While coffee has health benefits—like protecting against Parkinson’s disease, preventing liver damage, and reducing the risk of certain cancers—the real antioxidant powerhouse is actually the skin of the coffee cherry, removed during production.
During a tour of Greenwell Farms, one of Kona, Hawaii’s oldest and largest coffee producers, I saw firsthand how Kona’s smooth, complex coffee is made. Over 300 local farmers hand-pick coffee cherries on the farm’s 70 acres (25 hectares). The cherries resemble sweet fruit more than the bitter brew in your thermos.
My guide, Peggy, joked that visitors are always amazed at the “cherries” growing on the trees. But these ruby-red fruits aren’t actual cherries—they’re the outer layer of the coffee bean, which turns out to be a secret superfood.
Farm-To-Bottle
While coffee cherry skins can mar the flavor of brewed coffee, they offer serious health benefits. These sweet, juicy skins contain eight times the antioxidants of blueberries—no salad or green juice required.
Like many growers, Greenwell Farms used to discard these skins as fertilizer, not realizing their value. Kona’s rich volcanic soil, ideal rainfall, and sloped terrain create cherries packed with immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties—growing unnoticed for over 175 years.
For those without access to recycled coffee cherries, KonaRed, a Hawaii-based company, has created antioxidant-rich juices from the fruit. Greenwell Farms now donates its cherry skins to them.
“We spent months in the lab identifying the compounds and antioxidants in Kona coffee cherries,” says Shaun Roberts, co-founder and CEO of KonaRed. “Testing by Brunswick Laboratories and Chromadex confirmed the high levels of these beneficial compounds.”
KonaRed has turned the cherries into a health product line ideal for people on the go. The skins are dried and compressed into liquid using only ripe, whole fruit. Despite the energy boost, it’s not an energy drink—there’s no added sugar, and caffeine content ranges from 18 to 40 milligrams per serving.
The vitality comes from antioxidants and vitamins, which help fight free radicals, disease, and signs of aging. Even better, paying farmers for this formerly discarded byproduct supports sustainability and the local economy.
While “farm-to-table” is familiar, KonaRed is pioneering “farm-to-bottle,” letting drinkers not only taste the difference but feel it through natural energy.
Beyond Antioxidants
Antioxidants support health and beauty, but marketing buzz has diluted their impact—seen with POM Wonderful, FiberPlus, Special Dark Cocoa, and even vitamin-infused 7UP.
“In general, antioxidants help counter ‘oxidants’—highly reactive oxygen molecules that can damage cells and DNA,” explains nutritional biochemist Dr. Shawn Talbott. “Antioxidants form a protective layer, intercepting oxidative stress before it harms tissues.”
That’s why KonaRed focuses on the coffee cherry’s high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), which measures a substance’s ability to neutralize free radicals at the cellular level.
To test ORAC, scientists place food samples in test tubes with free radical-generating molecules and susceptible targets. The results show how well the sample protects against oxidation.
According to a study by Brunswick Laboratories, KonaRed scored 2,501.04 per gram—or 7,900 ORAC units per serving—beating acai, pomegranates, and blueberries. Experts like Dr. Ronald Prior and Dr. Guohua Cao recommend 10,000–12,000 units daily, making coffee cherries a powerful source of antioxidants.
Coffee Cherries For Beauty
It’s not just drinks—beauty brands are embracing coffee cherry skins too. Dermatologist Debbie Palmer, for example, includes them in her skincare line REPLERE.
Many people don’t realize coffee is the most widely consumed antioxidant and the top source of antioxidants in the U.S.
“To this day, coffee cherries are handpicked as they have been for over 1,000 years,” says Palmer. “Farmers say the fruit is rejuvenating—those who pick it have younger-looking hands.”
She tested the cherry’s potency in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial and confirmed it through ORAC testing. “Coffee cherries have outperformed green tea, and vitamins C and E in neutralizing free radicals,” she explains.
The Future
What’s next for coffee cherries and KonaRed? More companies in food, beauty, and wellness are tapping into the fruit’s benefits, while KonaRed expands its line of teas, juices, and sodas.
“In 2014, we’re expanding our beverage line with two new flavors and preparing to launch nutritionals at Expo West,” says Roberts. “Our mission is to educate consumers about the coffee fruit from Kona, Hawaii—because who knew coffee came from fruit?”
With a $12 million investment from Lincoln Park Capital, new distributors, and a partnership with VDF FutureCeuticals, it seems their message is catching on.
