The physical and chemical characteristics of raw and coffee bean (seed) and spent grounds (a byproduct of the instant coffee industry) and the corresponding oils of four varieties of Indian coffee beans were studied. The chemical characteristics of the oils were found to be similar to those of groundnut oil except for the unsaponifiable matter which is high in the case of coffee bean oil (6-12%). The colour of crude coffee bean oil varied from light green (from raw bean) to chocolate brown (from roasted and spent grounds). The oil is practically odourless. Practical aspects of drying and storage of sludge and solvent extraction of dried grounds are discussed.