Scandinavian-style boiled coffee, which raises serum cholesterol, was found to contain more lipid material than drip filter coffee, which does not. Ten volunteers consumed a lipid-enriched fraction from boiled coffee for six weeks: the supplement provided 77 g of water, 1?3 g of lipid, and 1?6 g of other solids per day. Serum cholesterol rose in every subject; the mean rise was 0?74 mmol/l after three weeks (range - 0?09 to 1?48 mmol/l) and 1 ?06 SD 0?37 mmol/l or 23% after six weeks (range 0?48 to 1?52 mmol/l). The increase was mainly due to low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, which rose by 29%, but very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was also raised, as evidenced by a 55% rise in triglycerides. High-density-lipoprotein cholesterol was unchanged. After supplementation had ended, lipid levels returned to baseline. Boiled coffee thus contains a lipid that powerfully raises serum cholesterol.