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, which means that it is able to return year after year.

Coffee beans have high levels of certain compounds, such as caffeine, so they should be consumed in moderation. Learn more about this well-known seed.

Origin

The seeds that are roasted in the coffee plant are used to make the coffee beverage that is brewed. The beans are a sought-after and profitable international commodity. Coffee plants are woody evergreen shrubs that grow in the tropical regions. The Bean Belt includes the areas surrounding the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most well-known origin story of coffee begins in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He noticed that his animals became more active after eating the bright red berries that were found in certain coffee plants. Kaldi shared his discovery with the abbot of a nearby monastery, who created a drink from the berries. From there, the positive energy of the berries was spread.

Presently coffee beans are produced by two main varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. The latter is found predominantly in Africa and Indonesia, and is usually cheaper than arabica. There are also many smaller varieties that are a mixture of arabica & robusta. These beans are called Peaberries and have a more flavorful taste than regular beans.

When roasting, beans lose their moisture, which could result in them becoming bitter and stale. It is important to only utilize fresh, high-quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The bean's variety, temperature and processing method can influence the four elements of taste - bitterness and acidity, sweetness and saltiness. These components can be mixed in a variety of ways to create various flavor profiles that range from sweet and fruity to nutty and even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated, they react with amino acids inside the seed, creating hundreds of aromatic compounds that affect their flavor profile. This process is called the Maillard Reaction and it is the same chemical reaction that happens in all cooking. The result is that the smell of coffee that is roasted reflects these chemical compounds.

While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of a roast, nonvolatile or volatile compounds also influence the taste of coffee. The taste of a fresh or unroasted coffee beans coffee can be earthy, fruity, floral or chocolaty. Bitterness can be associated with full-bodied roasts containing more caffeine. However, it could also be caused by poor processing or storage.

Flavored coffee beans are flavored with flavor oils which help preserve the beans as well as add a certain scent and flavor. The flavor oils can be composed of chemicals as well as natural flavors, including chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla. The flavors are bound to the beans using an organic compound known as polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are a good source of potassium, magnesium and B vitamins. They're also an excellent source of antioxidants, that can help reduce oxidative stress (which leads to chronic diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer). The antioxidant chlorogenic acid found in coffee beans is especially effective against obesity-related illnesses, like high cholesterol levels and diabetes.

Coffee is a natural boost of energy that helps people feel more alert. Its caffeine boosts neurochemicals within the brain that improve concentration and vigilance, enhances cognitive function, and helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Consuming moderate amounts of coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. It can also improve mood, satisfaction, energy, and concentration.

Anti-aging: The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee are natural moisturizers for the skin, increasing cell turnover to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They also have UV protection properties, absorbing 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, increasing the levels of happy hormones. It can also ease inflammation and pain, acting as a natural analgesic and improving the effectiveness of painkillers. It also contains cafestol and kahweol which are diterpene esters with lipolytic properties in the adipose layer, aiding in the fight against cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is a well-loved drink across the globe. It has become an integral part of many people's morning routines. Coffee beans are actually seeds of a plant called the coffee plant or coffee cherry, and they contain the natural stimulant, caffeine. The amount of caffeine in coffee can vary depending on the method of roasting and prepared before being brewed. However, there are basic guidelines regarding the amount of caffeine contained in each coffee bean to help you make smart choices when selecting your joe.

The average coffee bean has about 2 milligrams of caffeine, however the exact amount will differ dependent on the size of the bean and how darkly roasted it is. There is a widespread belief that darker roasted beans have more caffeine than lighter roasted ones, but this is not the case. A rita farhi dark Chocolate coffee beans gift jar medium roast coffee beans coffee bean will have less caffeine than a light roast due to its lower density, however the amount of caffeine will be similar.

The daily limit recommended for caffeine is 400 milligrams. A typical cup of coffee is 95 milligrams. If you are not sensitive to caffeine keeping within this range should not have any negative effects. For those who aren't sensitive to caffeine may enjoy their coffee, but it's important to be aware of the amount of caffeine you're inhaling and avoid overdoing it.