What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans you use to brew are actually the seeds of the fruit called a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, meaning that it will return each year.

Coffee beans contain high concentrations of certain compounds, such as caffeine, so they should be consumed in moderation. Find out more about this renowned seed.

Origin

Coffee is a drink made from the seeds that have been roasted (beans) of the coffee plant. The beans are a favored and profitable international commodity. Coffee plants are woody evergreen shrubs that grow in the tropics. The Bean Belt includes the areas that surround the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most widely-known myth of coffee's genesis begins with a goat herder named Kaldi in Ethiopia. He noticed that the bright red berries produced by certain coffee plants helped his goats become more energetic. Kaldi shared his findings with an abbot of the nearby monastery who had made drinks with the berries. The energizing effect of the berries took off from there.

Coffee beans today come from two major varieties of the Coffea plant: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is found primarily in Africa and Indonesia and is generally less expensive than arabica. There are many smaller varieties that are a combination of robusta and arabica. These beans are called peaberries and have more flavor than standard beans.

During the process of roasting beans lose their moisture which can lead to them becoming bitter and stale. It is important to only make use of fresh, high-quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The four components of flavor -- acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and saltiness -- are influenced by the bean type, climate, and processing method. The degree of these elements can result in a variety of flavors that range from fruity and sweet to nutty and even smoky.

When coffee beans are exposed to heat, they react with amino acids within the seed, resulting in hundreds of aromatic compounds that affect the flavor profile of coffee beans. This reaction is known as the Maillard Reaction, and it occurs in virtually all cooking. The aroma of beans cooked is a reflection of these substances.

While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of roasts, nonvolatile and volatile compounds are also a part of a coffee's taste. The taste of a fresh or unroasted bean may be earthy, fruity, floral, or chocolaty. Bitterness is often associated with full-bodied roasts that have more caffeine. However, coffeee it could also be caused by poor storage or brewing.

Flavored coffee beans have flavor oils on them which help preserve the beans as well as give them a distinct aroma and taste. The flavor oils are a mixture of chemicals and natural flavors, Coffeee including vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate. The flavors are linked to the beans with a chemical compound called polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are a great source of magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. They are also a good source of antioxidants, which help prevent oxidative stresses (which can lead to chronic diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis). The antioxidant chlorogenic acid that is found in coffee beans is especially beneficial against obesity-related ailments, like the high cholesterol level and diabetes.

Coffee is also an effective natural energy booster, helping people feel more alert and active. Caffeine stimulates neurochemicals that enhances alertness, memory, and cognitive function. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Drinking moderate amounts of coffee has been proven to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. It can also improve mood, satisfaction and energy levels as well as concentration.

Anti-ageing: The antioxidants present in coffee (including caffeine and chlorogenic acids) act as natural skin moisturizers increasing cell turnover and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. They also have UV-protection properties, which block sunlight and preventing sun-induced damage to the skin.

Anti-depressant Coffee beans can be used as an antidepressant which boosts dopamine and serotonin in the brain to boost the levels of happy hormones. It can also relieve inflammation and pain, acting as a natural analgesic and improving the effectiveness of painkillers. Cafestol and Kahweol, both diterpene ester compounds with lipolytic properties. They aid in reducing cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is among the most popular drinks in the world, and it has become a staple of the routine of many mornings. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant or coffee cherry. They contain caffeine, a natural stimulant. The amount of caffeine in coffee is contingent on the method of roasting and prepared. It can also be brewed. There are however some basic rules about the amount of caffeine contained in each coffee bean to allow you to make informed decisions when choosing your joe.

The average coffee bean has around 2 milligrams caffeine, however the exact amount can vary according to the bean's size and the degree of roasting it has been. There is a widespread misconception that coffee beans roasted in darker roasts contain more caffeine than lighter-roasted ones. It's not the case. Dark roast coffee beans have less caffeine than light roasts due to their lower density. However the amount of caffeine is the same.

The recommended daily limit for caffeine is 400 milligrams. A typical cup of coffee contains 95 milligrams. Aiming to stay within this range will not cause any adverse unwanted effects unless sensitive to caffeine. For those who aren't sensitive to caffeine may enjoy their coffee, but it's essential to be aware of the amount of caffeine you're ingesting and avoid excessive consumption.