What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans you use to brew are actually seeds from the coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, which means that it will come back every year.

Coffee beans are high in concentrations of specific compounds - including caffeine, which is why they should be consumed in moderation. Find out more about this renowned seed.

Origin

Coffee is a beverage made from the roasted seeds (beans) of the coffee plant. Beans are a well-known and profitable international commodity. Coffee plants are woody, evergreen trees that are found in the tropics. The Bean Belt includes the areas surrounding the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most popular legend of coffee's origin began with the goat herder Kaldi in Ethiopia. He observed that his herd became extremely active after eating the bright red berries that were found in certain coffee plants. Kaldi shared his findings with an abbot from an adjacent monastery who prepared a drink using the berries. The energizing properties of the berries are spread throughout the monastery.

Coffee beans today come from two major varieties of the Coffea plant: Arabica and Robusta. The latter is found mostly in Africa and Indonesia and is typically cheaper than arabica. In addition to the major varieties, there are many smaller specialty beans that are a blend of robusta and arabica. These beans are called peaberries and are more flavorful than standard beans.

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

Flavor

The bean type, climate and processing method can influence the four components of taste: acidity and bitterness along with sweetness and saltiness. These elements can be combined in a variety of ways to create various flavors, ranging from sweet and fruity to nutty, coffeebeans (Continued) and even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated they react with the amino acids present in their seeds, forming hundreds of unique aromatic compounds that influence their flavor profile. This process is called the Maillard Reaction and it is the same chemical reaction that happens in virtually every cooking. The aroma of roasted beans is a reflection of these substances.

While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of a roast, nonvolatile or volatile compounds also influence the flavor of a coffee. Green or unroasted beans can have a taste that is fruity, floral or earthy. Bitterness can be a result of roasts with a full body that contain more caffeine. However, it could also be caused by improper processing or storage.

Flavored coffee beans come with flavor oils on them which help preserve the beans as well as give them a distinct aroma and taste. These flavored oils are mixture of natural and chemical flavors that range from cinnamon to vanilla chocolate. The flavors bond to beans with the help of a special chemical compound called polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans contain a wide variety of health-boosting nutrients, such as magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. They also provide a valuable source of antioxidants that help to prevent the effects of oxidative stress (which can cause chronic diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis). The antioxidant chlorogenic acid found in coffee beans is particularly beneficial against obesity-related diseases, such as the high cholesterol level and diabetes.

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

Anti-aging The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee work as an natural moisturizer for skin, boosting cell turnover, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. They also have UV-protection properties, blocking sunlight and preventing sun-induced damage to the skin.

Anti-depressant - coffee beans to buy beans are a natural anti-depressant. They boost serotonin levels as well as dopamine levels in the brain, increasing the levels of happy hormones. It also eases pain and inflammation, acting as a natural painkiller and improving the effectiveness of medical painkillers. It also contains cafestol and Kahweol, two diterpene ester with lipolytic properties within the adipose tissues, helping to fight cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world and it has become a staple of many morning routines. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant, or the coffee cherry. They are a source of caffeine, which is a natural stimulant. The caffeine content in luxury coffee beans may differ depending on how the bean is made, roasted, and brewed. There are however some basic guidelines regarding the amount of caffeine present in each coffee bean that can assist you in making the right choices when choosing your coffee.

The average coffee bean has about 2 milligrams of caffeine per bean, however the exact amount varies dependent on the size of the bean and the amount of roasting it has. It is a common misconception that coffee beans roasted in darker roasts contain more caffeine than lighter-roasted ones. This isn't the case. A dark roast coffee beans roast coffee bean will contain less caffeine in it than a light dark roast coffee beans due to its lower density, however the amount of caffeine will remain the same.

The recommended daily limit for caffeine is 400 milligrams. A typical cup of coffee has 95 milligrams. Keeping within this range should not cause any negative side effects unless you're sensitive to caffeine. Those who are not sensitive to caffeine can still enjoy their coffee, however it's essential to be aware of the amount of caffeine you're taking in and be cautious about excessive consumption.