People refer to them as "coffee beans" because of how they look and how they're used, but technically, they're not beans at all. Coffee comes from a plant that produces cherry-like berries, and what we call "coffee beans" are actually the seeds found inside these berries.

The term "bean" likely stuck because the seeds have a similar shape to legumes, and "coffee beans" just sounds more familiar and marketable. The process of extracting, roasting, and brewing also contributes to the association, as it mirrors how dried legumes are prepared. So, even though coffee is really derived from a fruit, the name "coffee beans" has just been more culturally accepted.