What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans you drink are actually seeds from an edible fruit known as a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is a perennial, meaning that it is able to grow year after year.

Coffee beans are high in concentrations of certain compounds - like caffeine, and therefore should be consumed in moderation. Find out more about this popular seed.

Origin

Coffee is a beverage made from the seeds that have been roasted (beans) of the coffee plant. The beans are a favored and lucrative international commodity. The coffee plants are evergreen, woody shrubs that flourish in tropical climates. Most of the world's coffee is grown in the Bean Belt, which includes those areas that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most famous origin story of coffee began in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He observed that the bright red berries that came from certain coffee plants made his goats more energetic. Kaldi shared his findings with the abbot of a nearby monastery, who created a drink from the berries. The energizing effect of the berries were then spread to other places.

Currently coffee beans are made by two main varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is mostly found in Africa and Indonesia and is generally cheaper than arabica. There are many smaller varieties that are a mixture of arabica & robusta. They are known as peaberries and are much more flavorful than standard beans.

During roasting, beans could lose moisture, which could result in them becoming bitter or stale. It is essential to utilize fresh, high-quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The type of bean, the processing method and climate can affect the four components of taste -- bitterness and acidity, sweetness and saltiness. These elements can be mixed in a variety of ways to create different flavor profiles that range from sweet fruity to nutty and even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated they react with amino acids in the seed, creating hundreds of unique aromatic compounds that alter the flavor profile. This reaction is known as the Maillard Reaction, and it occurs in nearly all cooking. The aroma of roasted beans is a reflection of these substances.

While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of the roast, nonvolatile as well as volatile compounds are also a part of the flavor of coffee. The taste of a green or unroasted bean may be earthy, fruity, floral, or chocolaty. Bitterness is typically due to roasts with a full body that contain more caffeine, but it could also be due to poor brewing methods or storage.

Flavored coffee beans are flavored with flavor oils that preserve the beans and give them a distinct flavor and aroma. These flavored oils can be made up of chemicals and natural flavors, including vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate. The flavors are bonded to the beans by an organic compound known as polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are packed with a variety of health-boosting nutrients including potassium, magnesium and B vitamins. They are also a fantastic source of antioxidants, which help prevent the oxidative stress (which can cause chronic diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer). The antioxidant chlorogenic acids in coffee beans are particularly effective against obesity-related ailments like diabetes or high cholesterol levels.

Coffee is a natural boost of energy that makes people feel more alert. Its caffeine stimulates neurochemicals in the brain, which improve mental vigilance and memory, increases cognitive function and helps control blood sugar levels within the body. Research has shown that drinking moderate amounts of coffee may help lower the risk of Parkinson's disease and dementia, as well as boost mood, happiness and energy levels.

Anti-aging The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee act as natural moisturizers for your skin, increasing cell turnover to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They also provide UV-protection which block light and prevent sun damage to skin.

Anti-depressant - Coffee beans are a natural anti-depressant. They increase serotonin levels and dopamine levels in the brain, which increases the levels of happy hormones. It can also relieve inflammation and pain, acting as a natural analgesic and increasing the effectiveness of medical painkillers. It also contains cafestol and kahweol. These are diterpene esters with lipolytic qualities in the adipose layer, aiding in the fight against cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is one of the most loved drinks in the world and it has become integral to many morning routines. Coffee beans are actually the seeds of a plant known as the coffee plant or coffee cherry and they are a natural stimulant, caffeine. The caffeine in coffee can differ depending on how the bean is roasted, brewed and prepared. There are a few rules that can help you select the right coffee.

The average coffee bean contains approximately 2 milligrams of caffeine per bean, however the exact amount will vary depending on the bean's size and the degree of roasting it has been. It is a popular myth that coffee beans with darker roasts contain more caffeine than lighter-Rombouts Decaf Roasted Coffee Beans 1kg Original Blend ones. It's not the case. Dark roast coffee beans will contain less caffeine than light roasts because of their lower density. However the amount of caffeine is similar.

The daily limit recommended for caffeine is 400 milligrams. A typical cup of coffee is 95 milligrams. Keeping within this range should not cause any negative side effects unless you are sensitive to caffeine. Caffeine isn't harmful for those who are not sensitive. However it is essential to monitor how much caffeine you consume and to avoid overdoing.