What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans that you use to brew coffee are actually seeds of a berry called a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, meaning it is able to grow every year.

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

Origin

Coffee is a beverage made from the seeds that are roasted (beans) of the coffee plant. The beans are a sought-after and lucrative international commodity. The coffee plants are evergreen, woody shrubs that grow in tropical climates. The Bean Belt includes the areas surrounding the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most famous legend about coffee's beginnings is that of a goat herder named Kaldi in Ethiopia. He observed that his herd became extremely energetic after eating the bright red berries of some coffee plants. Kaldi shared his discovery with the abbot of a nearby monastery, who brewed a drink using the berries. From there, the energetic effect of the berries spread.

Currently coffee beans are made by two major varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is mostly found in Africa and Fresh Coffee Beans Indonesia and is generally less expensive than arabica. There are also smaller varieties that are a blend of arabica & robusta. They are known as Peaberries and have a more delicious taste than regular beans.

While roasting, beans can lose their moisture, which can cause them to become stale or bitter. To avoid this, it's important to use only best fresh coffee beans coffee beans - www.haim.kr -, top quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The bean's type, process and climate can influence the four components of taste -- acidity and bitterness as well as saltiness and sweetness. The degree of these elements can create a wide variety of flavor profiles that range from fruity and sweet to nutty or even smoky.

When coffee beans are exposed to heat they react with amino acids within the seed, forming hundreds of aromatic compounds that affect the flavor profile of coffee beans. This reaction is referred to as the Maillard Reaction, and it occurs in nearly all cooking. The result is that the flavor of roasted coffee reflects those compounds.

While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of the roast, nonvolatile as well as volatile compounds also contribute to the flavor of a decaffeinated coffee beans. Green beans, whether unroasted or not, can possess a flavor that is earthy, floral or fruity. Bitterness can be a result of full-bodied roasts that have more caffeine. However, it could be caused by faulty processing or storage.

Flavored coffee beans have flavor oils on them that help preserve the beans and provide a unique aroma and taste. These flavor oils are a combination of chemicals and natural flavors that range from cinnamon to vanilla chocolate. The flavors are bonded to the beans with a chemical compound called polyphenol.

Health Benefits

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

Coffee is also a natural energy booster and helps people feel more alert and active. Caffeine increases neurochemicals, which improves alertness, memory and cognitive performance. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels. Consuming moderate amounts of coffee has been proven to lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and dementia. It can also improve mood, satisfaction and energy levels, as well as concentration.

Anti-aging The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee serve as an natural moisturizer for skin, increasing cell turnover to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They also provide UV-protection that block light and prevent sun-induced damage to the skin.

Anti-depressant: Coffee beans can be used as an anti-depressant that boosts serotonin and dopamine in the brain to increase the amount of happy hormones. It also reduces pain and inflammation and pain, acting as a natural painkiller, and improving the effectiveness of medical painkillers. Coffee also contains cafestol as well as kahweol, two diterpene esters that have lipolytic properties in the adipose tissue, thus helping to fight cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is among the most popular drinks around the world, and it has become integral to many of our morning routines. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant, or the best tasting coffee beans cherry. They are a source of caffeine, a natural stimulant. The caffeine content in coffee varies based on how it is roasted or prepared, as well as the method of brewing it. There are however some basic rules about the amount of caffeine contained in each coffee bean that can aid you in making smart choices when selecting your joe.

The average coffee bean contains about 2 milligrams of caffeine per bean. However the exact amount could vary depending on its size and the intensity at which it was roast. There is a popular belief that darker roasted beans have more caffeine than light roasted ones but this isn't the reality. A dark roast coffee bean will have less caffeine in it than light roasts due to its lower density, but the overall amount of caffeine will be the same.

A typical cup of coffee has around 95 milligrams of caffeine within it, however the daily limit for consumption is 400 milligrams. If you're not sensitive to caffeine, staying within this range will not cause any adverse consequences. Those who are not sensitive to caffeine can still enjoy their coffee, but it is important to be aware of how much caffeine you're taking in and be cautious about overdoing it.