What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans to buy beans that you brew are actually seeds from the coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, which means it is able to grow year after year.

Coffee beans are high in concentrations of certain compounds - such as caffeine, and should be consumed in moderation. Learn more about this well-known seed.

Origin

The seeds of the coffee plant are used to create coffee, a beverage that is brewed. The beans are one of the most well-known and lucrative international commodities. The coffee plants are evergreen, woody plants that thrive in tropical climates. The Bean Belt includes the areas surrounding the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most popular story about the origin of coffee began in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He noticed that his animals became more energetic after eating the bright red berries of certain coffee plants. Kaldi shared his discovery with the abbot of a nearby monastery who created a drink from the berries. From there, the positive energy of the berries spread.

The coffee beans we have today come from two major varieties of the Coffea plant: Arabica and Robusta. The latter is found primarily in Africa and Indonesia, and is usually less expensive than arabica. Apart from the major varieties, there are a variety of smaller, specialty beans that are a blend of robusta and arabica. These beans are called peaberries, and are more flavorful than regular beans.

During roasting, beans could lose moisture, which could lead to them becoming bitter or stale. To avoid this, it is essential to select only fresh, high-quality coffee beans 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. These components can be mixed in a variety of ways to create different flavor profiles, ranging from sweet and fruity to nutty and even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated, they react with the coffee bean shop amino acids in their seeds, forming hundreds of aromatic compounds that influence their flavor profile. This reaction is referred to as the Maillard Reaction, and it is found in almost all cooking. The result is that the flavor of coffee that has been roasted is a reflection of those compounds.

The Maillard Reaction is responsible for the overall flavor, but volatile and nonvolatile compounds also play a role in the taste of coffee. The flavor of a fresh or unroasted bean could be earthy fruity, floral or chocolatey. Bitterness is often associated with full-bodied roasts containing more caffeine. However, it could also be caused by improper processing or storage.

Flavored coffee beans are coated with flavor oils that aid in preserve the beans, while also adding an aroma and flavor. These flavored oils are combination of chemicals and natural flavors that range from vanilla to cinnamon to chocolate. The flavors are linked to the beans using an organic compound known as polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are a good source of potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins. They're also a great source of antioxidants, which prevent the development of oxidative stress (which can cause chronic illnesses such as cancer and atherosclerosis). The antioxidant chlorogenic acid that is found in speciality coffee beans beans is particularly beneficial against obesity-related diseases, like high cholesterol levels and diabetes.

Coffee is also an energy-boosting drink that is natural that helps people feel more alert and active. The caffeine it contains stimulates neurochemicals in the brain, which enhance mental vigilance and memory, increases cognitive function and helps control blood sugar levels in the body. Studies have found that moderate consumption of coffee can lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and dementia, and also increase happiness, mood energy, and concentration.

Anti-aging The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee serve as a natural moisturizer for the skin, boosting cell turnover to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They also have UV protection properties, which block light and avoiding sun damage to the skin.

Anti-depressant - coffee beans types beans are a natural anti-depressant. They increase serotonin levels as well as dopamine levels in the brain, increasing the amount of happy hormones. It can also relieve inflammation and pain by acting as a natural analgesic while increasing the effectiveness of medical painkillers. Coffee also contains cafestol and Kahweol, two diterpene ester with lipolytic qualities in the adipose tissues, helping to fight cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is a favored drink around the world. It is now a part of many morning routines. Coffee beans are actually seeds of a plant known as the coffee plant or coffee cherry and they are a natural stimulant, caffeine. The amount of caffeine in coffee is contingent on the method of roasting, prepared and brewed. But, there are fundamental rules regarding the amount of caffeine present in each coffee bean to aid you in making smart decisions when choosing your joe.

The average coffee bean contains around 2 milligrams of caffeine. However the exact amount could depend on the size and the degree to which it has been roast. It is a common misconception that coffee beans roasted in darker roasts contain more caffeine than lighter-roasted ones. This is not the case. Dark roast coffee beans will have less caffeine than light roasts because of 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. Aiming to stay within this range will not cause any adverse consequences unless you're sensitive to caffeine. If you're not sensitive to caffeine may enjoy their coffee, but it's essential to be aware of the amount of caffeine you're taking in and to avoid overdoing it.