What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans you brew are actually the seeds of the coffee cherry. The coffee plant is a perennial plant, which means that it comes back year after year.

Consuming coffee beans in moderation is recommended due to the fact that they contain high levels of caffeine and other compounds. Learn more about this well-known seed.

Origin

Coffee is a brewed beverage made from the seeds that have been roasted (beans) of the coffee plant. The beans are one of the most popular and lucrative commodities in the world. The coffee plants are evergreen woody plants that thrive in tropical climates. The majority of coffee beans bulk buy in the world is produced in the Bean Belt, which includes those areas that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most popular origin story of coffee starts in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He observed that the bright red berries that came from certain coffee plants stimulated his goats. Kaldi shared his findings with an abbot of the nearby monastery who had made drinks with the berries. The energetic effect of the berries spread.

Coffee beans today come from two main varieties of the Coffea plant: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is most commonly found in Africa and Indonesia and is generally cheaper than arabica. There are many smaller varieties that are a blend of robusta and arabica. These beans are known as peaberries and are much more flavorful than regular beans.

During the process of roasting beans lose their moisture, which can result in them becoming stale and bitter. To prevent this from happening, it is important to use only fresh, high quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The bean's type, processing method and climate can affect the four elements of taste: bitterness and acidity along with sweetness and saltiness. The level of these elements can create a wide variety of flavor profiles, ranging from fruity and sweet to nutty or even smoky.

When good coffee beans beans are heated they react with the amino acids in their seeds, forming hundreds of aromatic compounds that affect the flavor profile of the coffee. This reaction is referred to as the Maillard Reaction, and it occurs in nearly every cooking. The aroma of beans cooked is a reflection of these compounds.

The Maillard Reaction is responsible for the overall flavor, however volatile and nonvolatile substances also contribute to the taste of coffee. The taste of a unroasted or green bean can be earthy, floral, fruity, or chocolatey. Bitterness is typically due to roasts with a full body that contain more caffeine, but it can also occur due to improper brewing techniques or storage.

Flavored coffee beans are coated with flavor oils that help to preserve the beans while adding a specific aroma and taste. These flavored oils are mixture of natural and chemical flavors that range from vanilla to cinnamon to chocolate. The flavors are bound to the beans with an organic compound known as polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are a great source of magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. They also provide a wealth of antioxidants that help prevent the oxidative stress (which causes chronic diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis). The antioxidant chlorogenic acids in coffee beans are especially beneficial against obesity-related illnesses, such as diabetes or high cholesterol levels.

Coffee is a natural energy boost that makes people feel more alert. Its caffeine boosts neurochemicals within the brain, which enhance concentration and vigilance, enhances cognitive function and helps control blood sugar levels in the body. Drinking moderate amounts of caffeine has been proven to lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and dementia. It also improves mood, satisfaction, energy, and concentration.

Anti-ageing: 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 light and preventing sun damage to 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 increasing the effectiveness of medical painkillers. Cafestol and Kahweol are diterpene esters compounds that have lipolytic properties. They help to reduce cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is among the most sought-after drinks around the world and it has become integral to many morning routines. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant, or coffee cherry. They are a source of caffeine, which is a natural stimulant. The caffeine in coffee can differ based on the method by which the bean is roast, brewed and served. There are certain rules to help you select the right coffee.

The average coffee bean is approximately 2 milligrams per bean. However, the exact amount can differ depending on its size and the degree to which it has been roast. There is a widespread belief that darker roasted beans have more caffeine in them than light roasted ones but this isn't the reality. Dark roast coffee beans will contain less caffeine than light roasts because of their smaller density. However the amount of caffeine remains the same.

A typical cup of coffee has around 95 milligrams of caffeine in it, however the daily limit for consumption is 400 milligrams. If you are not sensitive to caffeine staying within this range should not have any negative effects. Those who are not sensitive to caffeine may enjoy their coffee, but it is important to be aware of the amount of caffeine you're taking in and to avoid excessive consumption.