What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans that you use to make coffee are actually the seeds of a fruit called a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, Coffeee meaning that it will return year after 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 drink made from the seeds that have been roasted (beans) of the coffee plant. The beans are one of the most coveted and lucrative commodities in the world. The coffee plants are evergreen woody shrubs that flourish in tropical climates. The majority of the world's beans is produced 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 history begins with a goat herder named Kaldi in Ethiopia. He observed that the bright red berries that came from certain coffee plants made his goats more energetic. Kaldi shared his findings with the abbot of a nearby monastery who created a drink from the berries. The energetic effect of the berries spread.

Presently, coffee beans are produced by two main varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is mostly in Africa and Indonesia and is generally less expensive than arabica. There are many smaller varieties that are a combination of robusta and arabica. These beans are called peaberries, and are more flavorful than standard beans.

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

Flavor

The bean type, processing method and climate can influence the four components of taste -- bitterness and acidity as well as sweetness and saltiness. These elements can be combined in a variety of ways to create different flavor profiles, from sweet and fruity to nutty and even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated, they react with the amino acids contained in their seeds to form 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 result is that the aroma of roasted coffee reflects those chemical compounds.

The Maillard Reaction is responsible for the overall flavor, but volatile and nonvolatile compounds also contribute to the taste of coffee. Green or unroasted beans can have a flavor that is earthy, floral or fruity. Bitterness can be a result of full-bodied roasts that have more caffeine. However, it can be caused by faulty processing or storage.

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

Health Benefits

Coffee beans contain a vast variety of nutrients that promote health like magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. They're also a great source of antioxidants, which help to prevent oxidative stress (which can cause chronic illnesses like atherosclerosis and cancer). The antioxidants chlorogenic acids in coffee beans are particularly beneficial against obesity-related illnesses like diabetes or high cholesterol levels.

Coffee is also a natural energy booster, helping people feel more alert and energetic. The caffeine in it stimulates neurochemicals in the brain, which enhance mental vigilance and memory, increases cognitive function and aids in controlling blood sugar levels in the body. Drinking moderate amounts has been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. It also improves mood, satisfaction energy, concentration, and satisfaction.

Anti-aging: The antioxidants found in coffee (including chlorogenic acids and caffeine) act as an natural moisturizer for the skin, increasing cell turnover and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also have UV protection properties, filtering the sunlight and preventing sun-induced skin damage.

Anti-depressant Coffee beans are a natural antidepressant. They increase serotonin levels as well as dopamine levels in the brain, which increases the levels of happy hormones. It can also ease pain and inflammation, acting as a natural analgesic, and enhancing the effectiveness of medical pain killers. Cafestol and Kahweol are diterpene-based compounds that possess 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 actually seeds of a plant called the coffee tree or coffee cherry. they contain the natural stimulant caffeine. The caffeine content in coffee can vary depending on how it is roasted and prepared before being brewed. However, there are some basic rules about the amount of caffeine in each coffee bean to assist you in making the right choices when selecting your joe.

The average coffee bean is about 2 milligrams of caffeine per bean. However the exact amount will differ based on the size and the intensity at which it was roasted. It is a common misconception that darker roasted coffee beans contain more caffeine than lighter roasted ones. This isn't the case. Dark roast coffee beans will contain less caffeine than Rainforest Alliance Certified Light Roast Espresso Beans roasts because of their smaller density. However the amount of caffeine is the same.

The recommended 1kg Union Hand-Roasted Daily Dark Roast Coffee Beans limit for caffeine is 400 milligrams. A typical cup of coffee contains 95 milligrams. If you are not sensitive to caffeine staying within this range should not have any negative effects. Caffeine is not harmful to those who aren't. However, it is important to be aware of the amount of caffeine you consume and to avoid overdoing.