What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans that you use to brew coffee are actually the seeds of a berry called a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, which means that it will grow every year.

Consuming coffee beans in moderation is recommended as they contain high levels of caffeine and other compounds. Find out more about this renowned seed!

Origin

The seeds that are roasted in the coffee plant are used to create a brewed beverage called coffee. The beans are a popular and profitable international commodity. The coffee plants are evergreen, woody shrubs that grow in tropical climates. The Bean Belt includes the areas close to the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most famous legend about coffee's genesis begins with a goat herder named Kaldi in Ethiopia. He noticed that the bright red berries produced by certain coffee plants stimulated his goats. Kaldi shared this discovery with an abbot from a nearby monastery, who made drinks using the berries. The berries' energizing effects spread from there.

Today, coffee beans are derived from two major varieties of the Coffea plant: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is mostly found in Africa and Indonesia and is generally more affordable than arabica. There are also smaller varieties that are a mix of robusta and arabica. They are known as peaberries, and are more flavorful than regular beans.

While roasting, beans can lose their moisture, which can lead to them becoming stale or bitter. It is important to only utilize fresh, high-quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The bean type, temperature and processing method can influence the four components of taste -- bitterness and acidity as well as saltiness and sweetness. The degree of these elements can create a wide range of flavor profiles, ranging from fruity and sweet to nutty and even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated, they react with amino acids inside the seed, forming hundreds of aromatic compounds that impact their flavor profile. This process is called the Maillard Reaction and it is the same chemical reaction that occurs in nearly all cooking. The result is that the scent of roasted coffee reflects those compounds.

The Maillard Reaction is responsible for the overall flavor, but volatile and nonvolatile substances also play a role in the flavor of coffee. The taste types of coffee a green or unroasted coffee can be earthy, fruity, Near floral, or chocolaty. Bitterness can be a result of roasts that are full-bodied and contain more caffeine. However, it can also be caused by improper storage or brewing.

Flavored coffee beans are flavored with flavor oils on them which help preserve the beans as well as provide a unique flavor and aroma. The flavor oils are mixed with chemicals and natural flavors, like chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla. The flavors bond to beans with the help of an extremely chemical compound known as polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are packed with a variety of health-boosting nutrients, such as magnesium, potassium, and near B vitamins. They're also a great source of antioxidants, which help to prevent the effects of oxidative stress (which leads to chronic diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis). The antioxidant chlorogenic acid in coffee beans is particularly effective against obesity-related illnesses, like high cholesterol and diabetes.

Coffee is also a natural energy booster and helps people feel more alert and energized. Its caffeine boosts neurochemicals within the brain, which enhance memory and vigilance, boosts cognitive function, and helps regulate blood sugar levels within the body. Studies have found that drinking moderate amounts of coffee can help reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and dementia, and also increase happiness, mood as well as energy and concentration.

Anti-aging: The antioxidants in coffee (including caffeine and chlorogenic acids) serve as an natural moisturizer for the skin that increases cell turnover, as well as diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. They also have UV-protection properties, which block sunlight and preventing sun-induced skin damage.

Anti-depressant Coffee beans are a natural antidepressant. They increase dopamine levels and serotonin levels in the brain, thereby increasing the levels of happy hormones. It also helps reduce pain and inflammation by acting as a natural painkiller, and improving the effectiveness of prescription painkillers. Cafestol and Kahweol are diterpene ester compounds with lipolytic properties. They can help reduce cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is a well-loved drink across the globe. It is now an integral part of many people's morning routines. Coffee beans are actually the seeds of a plant called the coffee plant or coffee cherry, and they contain the natural stimulant caffeine. The amount of caffeine in coffee can vary depending on how it is roasted or prepared, as well as the method of brewing it. There are some rules to help you select the best coffee.

The average coffee bean has approximately 2 milligrams of caffeine per bean, but the exact amount varies depending on the bean's size and the degree of roasting it has been. It is a common misconception that coffee beans with darker roasts contain more caffeine than lighter roasted ones. This is not the case. Dark roast coffee beans will contain less caffeine than light roasts due to their smaller density. However, the amount of caffeine is the same.

The daily limit recommended for caffeine is 400 milligrams. A typical cup of coffee contains 95 milligrams. If you are not sensitive to caffeine staying within this limit shouldn't cause any negative effects. Caffeine isn't harmful to people who aren't sensitive. However it is crucial to be aware of how much caffeine you drink and to be cautious about overdoing.