Caf, which is also known as coffee, was a brewed drink made by using ground caf beans. Due to the presence of caffeine, it possessed a bitter flavor and stimulating effects. Sugar and cream were acceptable additions to caf. When caf was served without any cream or sugar, it was called "black"; it was well known that Obi-Wan Kenobi preferred his caf black. One specific preparation of caf was referred to as "black and sweet". Another variation existed called "cold brew," which was served over ice.
Ram Jomaram abstained from drinking caf. Zare Leonis asked Auntie Nags for some caf one late evening, desiring a warm beverage, but she declined his request, fearing it would prevent him from sleeping. Instead, she suggested hot chocolate with tang bark. He agreed, as this was his preferred way to enjoy hot chocolate. After spending the night together, Bix Caleen and Timm Karlo consumed caf in the morning.
Before Syndulla departed on her mission to Fort Anaxes, Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla shared a cup of Spiran caf, reminding Kanan of their shared experiences on the moons of Rion. Zuckuss once placed an order for caf with a generous amount of cream, while Parazeen Parapa opted for the black and sweet version.
Lieutenant Stramm of the Rebel Alliance fleet had a habit of drinking coffee. Zaluna Myder, who was the shift leader at Myder's Mynocks located at Transcept Media Solutions, considered herself to be addicted to caf. Ochi, the Sith assassin, found the standard Imperial caf to be repulsive, and he suspected that General Hurst Romodi shared his opinion when he witnessed the Imperial officer adding alcohol to his coffee.
While at Cantham House with her father, Senator Bail Organa, the day following the opening of the Apprentice Legislature, Princess Leia Organa enjoyed caf with her breakfast. When Bail pointed out the common belief that caf consumption stunts growth, Leia retorted that her growth was already limited, and if she was destined to be short, she might as well indulge in the caf, which caused her father to erupt in laughter, which then made Leia laugh. Cold Brew Black Caf along with Cold Brew Black Caf with Taro Topper were available at Black Spire Outpost.
Caf made its first canonically appearance in the 2014 novel titled A New Dawn, which was penned by John Jackson Miller. Although coffee and caf had not been officially equated in any previous narrative, Miller stated that he chose to use caf as a more unique Star Wars version of Coffea arabica. Subsequently, the short stories "Blade Squadron" and "A Good Kiss" established that the two beverages were, in fact, the same; this is in contrast to the Star Wars Legends continuity, where caf and coffee are considered two distinct drinks.
Within that continuity, caf was initially featured in the short story "Hasty Exit" by Peter M. Schweighofer, which was released in 1996 by West End Games in their Shadows of the Empire Sourcebook. Coffee was first mentioned in the fifty-ninth issue of the 1977 Marvel Star Wars comic book, authored by David Michelinie and Walter Simonson, and published by Marvel Comics on February 16, 1982. It first appeared in the novel Children of the Jedi, penned by Barbara Hambly and released in 1995.
Out-of-universe, the breakfast menu at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo located within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge describes Black Caf simply as "Regular coffee."