What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans that you use to brew your coffee are actually the seeds of a fruit known as a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, which means it is able to grow every year.

Consuming coffee beans in moderation is recommended since they are high in caffeine and other substances. Learn more about this well-known seed.

Origin

Coffee is a beverage made from the seeds that are roasted (beans) of the coffee plant. Beans are a well-known and lucrative international commodity. Coffee plants are woody, evergreen shrubs that grow in the tropical regions. The majority of the world's beans is produced in the Bean Belt, which includes the areas surrounding the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most well-known legend of coffee's single origin coffee beans starts with the goat herder Kaldi in Ethiopia. He noticed that the bright red berries produced by certain coffee plants made his goats more energetic. Kaldi shared his findings with the abbot of a nearby monastery, shinhwaspodium.com who brewed a drink using the berries. From there, the energetic effect of the berries spread.

Coffee beans today come from two main varieties of the Coffea plant: Arabica and Robusta. The latter is found predominantly in Africa and Indonesia and is typically less expensive than arabica. There are also many smaller varieties that are a mixture of arabica & robusta. These beans are known as peaberries and are more flavorful than standard beans.

When roasting beans lose their moisture, which could result in them becoming stale and bitter. To avoid this, it's important to use only fresh, premium beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The bean's type, process and climate can influence the four components of taste - bitterness and acidity as well as sweetness and saltiness. These elements can be used in a variety ways to create different flavors, ranging from sweet fruity to nutty and even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated they react with amino acids contained in their seeds to create hundreds of unique aromatic compounds that affect the flavor profile of the coffee. This reaction is known as the Maillard Reaction, and it occurs in nearly every cooking. The result is that the aroma of coffee that is roasted reflects these substances.

The Maillard Reaction is responsible for the overall flavor, but volatile and nonvolatile components also play a role in the flavor of coffee. Green beans, whether unroasted or not, can have a flavor that is earthy, floral or fruity. Bitterness is often associated with full-bodied roasts that contain more caffeine, but it can also occur because of improper brewing techniques or storage.

Flavored coffee beans are coated with flavor oils to help preserve the beans while providing an aroma and flavor. The flavored oils are a mixture of natural and chemical flavors that can include everything from vanilla to cinnamon to chocolate. The flavors bind to the beans through a special chemical compound called polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are a good source of magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. They are also a good source of antioxidants that prevent the oxidative stress (which can cause chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer). The antioxidants found in the chlorogenic acids in coffee beans are particularly effective against obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes or high cholesterol levels.

Coffee is a natural energy booster that makes people feel more alert. Its caffeine boosts neurochemicals within the brain, improves concentration and vigilance, enhances cognitive function, and helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Drinking moderate amounts has been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. It also improves mood, satisfaction, energy, and concentration.

Anti-aging The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee are a natural moisturizer for the skin, boosting cell turnover, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. They also possess UV-protection capabilities blocking light and preventing sun-induced damage to the skin.

Anti-depressant: Coffee beans can be used as an antidepressant that boosts serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which increases the amount of happy hormones. It can also relieve pain and inflammation by acting as a natural sedative and improving the effectiveness of medical painkillers. Coffee also contains cafestol and Kahweol, two diterpene ester with lipolytic properties within the adipose layer, aiding in the fight against cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is a favored drink around the world. It is now a part of many morning routines. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant, or coffee cherry. They are a source of caffeine, a natural stimulant. The caffeine content in coffee may differ based on the method by which the bean is made, roasted, and brewed. However, there are some basic rules about the amount of caffeine in each coffee bean to aid you in making smart decisions when it comes to choosing the right joe.

The average coffee bean contains about 2 milligrams of caffeine per bean, however the exact amount varies dependent on the size of the bean and how darkly roasted it is. There is a popular belief that dark roasted beans contain more caffeine than light roast ones but this isn't the case. Dark roast coffee beans will have less caffeine than light roasts due to their lower density. However, the amount of caffeine is the same.

A typical cup of brewed coffee has around 95 milligrams of caffeine within it, but the daily limit for consumption is 400 milligrams. Aiming to stay within this range will not cause any negative unwanted effects unless sensitive to caffeine. For those who aren't sensitive to caffeine can enjoy their coffee, however it is important to be aware of the amount of caffeine you're taking in and to avoid overdoing it.