What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans you drink are actually seeds from the fruit called a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, which means that it will return every year.

Coffee beans are high in concentrations of certain compounds - like caffeine, so they should be consumed in moderation. Learn more about this popular seed!

Origin

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

The most widely-known myth of coffee's beginnings starts with a goat herder named Kaldi in Ethiopia. He discovered that the bright red berries that came from certain coffee plants stimulated his goats. Kaldi shared his findings with an abbot of a nearby monastery who made a drink using the berries. From there, the energetic effect of the berries was spread.

Currently, coffee beans are produced by two major varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is found primarily in Africa and Indonesia and is generally cheaper than arabica. There are also smaller varieties that are a blend of arabica & robusta. These beans are known as peaberries and are much more flavorful than standard beans.

During roasting, beans can lose moisture, which could lead to them becoming bitter or stale. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to select only fresh, top quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The four components of flavor -- acidity, bitterness, saltiness, sweetness and aciditycan be influenced by variety of beans, the climate, and processing method. The level of these elements can produce a variety of flavors that range from sweet and fruity to nutty or even smoky.

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

While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of a roast, nonvolatile or volatile compounds also influence the flavor of a coffee. The taste of a unroasted or green coffee can be earthy, floral, fruity, or chocolaty. Bitterness is often linked to roasts that are full-bodied and contain more caffeine. However, it can also be caused by improper storage or brewing.

Flavored 500g coffee beans beans have flavor oils on them which help preserve the beans as well as give them a distinct scent and flavor. These flavored oils can be made up of chemicals and natural flavors, such as chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla. The flavors are attached to the beans by polyphenol, a chemical compound.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans contain a vast variety of health-boosting nutrients like potassium, magnesium and B vitamins. They're also an excellent source of antioxidants, that can help reduce the effects of oxidative stress (which can cause chronic illnesses like atherosclerosis and cancer). The antioxidant chlorogenic acids in coffee beans are especially effective against obesity-related ailments such as diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

Coffee is a natural source of energy that makes people feel more alert. Its caffeine boosts neurochemicals within the brain, which enhance concentration and vigilance, enhances cognitive function and aids in controlling blood sugar levels within the body. Studies have found that moderate consumption of coffee can help reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease and dementia, as well as improve mood, contentment, energy and concentration.

Anti-ageing The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee serve as natural moisturizers for the skin, boosting cell turnover, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. They also have UV-protection properties, which block sunlight and preventing sun-induced skin damage.

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 also eases pain and inflammation by acting as a natural painkiller and enhancing the effectiveness medical painkillers. It also contains cafestol and kahweol, two diterpene esters with lipolytic properties within the adipose tissues, helping to fight cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is among the most loved drinks in the world and has become an integral part of numerous morning routines. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant, or the cafe coffee beans cherry. They contain caffeine, a natural stimulant. The amount of caffeine in coffee can vary based on how the bean to cup coffee beans is made, roasted, and brewed. There are a few rules that can help you choose the best coffee.

The average coffee bean has around 2 milligrams caffeine per cup, however the exact amount will vary dependent on the size of the bean and the degree of roasting it has been. There is a popular belief that darker roasted beans have more caffeine in them than light roasts, but this is not the case. Dark roast coffee beans contain less caffeine than light roasts due to 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 beans in bulk has 95 milligrams. Aiming to stay within this range will not cause any negative consequences unless you're sensitive to caffeine. People who aren't sensitive to caffeine may enjoy their coffee, however it is important to be aware of the amount of caffeine you're taking in and to avoid excessive consumption.