Short answer: In Jainism, yes—life exists almost everywhere. But we choose foods that involve the least violence. That is why some items are avoided more than others.

Key points, very simply:

• All life is not equal in the extent of harm: Harming a five‑sensed being (animal) is far more serious than harming a one‑sensed being (like plants or microbes). Householders take vows to minimize, not to make it zero.
• Two types of plant life are described:

1) Pratyeka‑vanaspati: one soul in one body (most fruits and above‑ground vegetables like cucumber, grapes, gourds). Lesser harm when eaten ripe and cleaned. 2) Sādhāraṇa‑vanaspati (anantkay): countless souls share one body (many root vegetables like potato, onion, garlic; also items like mushrooms). Greater harm, so traditionally avoided by stricter Jains.

• Micro‑organisms (nigodas) are present especially in water and in liquids kept standing or fermented. Tea/coffee are often avoided by stricter Jains because:

- They involve killing tiny aquatic organisms when boiling unfiltered water. - Fermentation or staleness increases life in the liquid. - They create attachment and dependency (rāga), which goes against the vows of restraint. Note: Cooking any food harms one‑sensed beings, but Jain householders are permitted to cook; the discipline is to choose options with less harm and avoid practices that multiply harm.

What this means for everyday choices:

• Prefer fresh, ripe fruits and above‑ground vegetables (like cucumber, gourds, okra, beans). Wash well; avoid wasting and avoid crushing seeds needlessly.
• Avoid root vegetables and fungus varieties if following stricter conduct.
• Always filter water carefully; avoid stale/overnight liquids; avoid fermented foods/drinks, alcohol, and honey.
• Many Jains also avoid tea/coffee for the reasons above. If one still takes them, use freshly filtered water and avoid keeping liquids standing.
• Eat in daylight; avoid night‑eating to prevent harm to mobile beings attracted to light.

Essence: Everything has life, but Jain Dharma guides us to the path of least harm. So cucumber and grapes are generally allowed (with care), while root vegetables, fermented items, and drinks like tea/coffee are commonly avoided by stricter practitioners to reduce overall hiṁsā.