What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans you drink are actually the seeds of the fruit called a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is a perennial, meaning it will return every year.

Consuming coffee beans in moderation is recommended as they are high in caffeine and other compounds. Learn more about this popular seed.

Origin

The roasted seeds of the coffee plant are used to make coffee, a beverage that is brewed. The beans are among the most popular, and profitable international commodities. Coffee plants are woody, evergreen trees that are found in the tropics. The Bean Belt includes the areas surrounding the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most famous origin story of coffee begins in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He noticed that the bright red berries from certain coffee plants made his goats more energetic. Kaldi shared his findings with an abbot from a nearby monastery who made drinks with the berries. The energizing properties of the berries were then spread to other places.

Presently coffee beans are made by two main varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. The latter is primarily found in Africa and Indonesia and is generally less expensive than arabica. There are many smaller varieties that are a blend of robusta and arabica. They are known as peaberries, and are more flavorful than regular beans.

When roasting, beans may lose their moisture, which can result in them becoming stale or bitter. It is crucial to utilize fresh, high-quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

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

When coffee beans are heated, they react with the amino acids in their seeds to form hundreds of unique aromatic compounds which affect the flavor profile of the coffee bean coffee. This reaction is referred to as the Maillard Reaction, and it occurs in nearly all cooking. The aroma of beans cooked reflects these compounds.

The Maillard Reaction is responsible for the overall flavor, but volatile and nonvolatile components also contribute to the flavor of coffee. Green or unroasted coffee beans wholesale beans can be a bit earthy, floral or fruity. Bitterness is often associated with roasts that are full-bodied and contain more caffeine. However, it could also be caused by poor storage or brewing.

Flavored premium coffee beans beans are coated with flavor oils to help preserve the beans while providing a specific aroma and taste. These flavor oils are a combination of chemicals and natural flavors that can include everything from vanilla to cinnamon to chocolate. The flavors are bonded to the beans using the chemical compound polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are a good source of magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. They also provide a valuable source of antioxidants to help fight the oxidative stress (which can cause chronic diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer). The antioxidant chlorogenic acid found in coffee beans is particularly effective against obesity-related illnesses, such as high cholesterol levels and diabetes.

Coffee is also an energy-boosting drink that is natural that helps people feel more alert and energized. Its caffeine stimulates neurochemicals in the brain that improve concentration and vigilance, enhances cognitive function and helps control blood sugar levels within the body. Research has shown that drinking moderate amounts of coffee can reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease and dementia, and also improve mood, contentment, energy and concentration.

Anti-aging: The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee act as a natural moisturizer for the skin, increasing cell turnover, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. They also possess UV-protection properties that block light and prevent sun-induced damage to the skin.

Anti-depressant Coffee beans are a natural antidepressant. They boost serotonin levels and dopamine levels in the brain, increasing the levels of happy hormones. It also eases inflammation and pain and inflammation, acting as a natural analgesic, and improving the effectiveness of medical pain killers. Cafestol and Kahweol are diterpene ester compounds that possess lipolytic properties. They help reduce cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is a favored drink all over the world. It has become an integral part of many people's morning routines. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant, or coffee cherry. They are a source of caffeine, a natural stimulant. The caffeine content of coffee varies based on how it is roasted, prepared and brewed. There are certain rules that can help you pick the right coffee.

The average coffee bean contains approximately 2 milligrams in each bean. However the exact amount may vary depending on its size and the intensity at which it was roasted. It is a popular myth that coffee beans with darker roasts contain more caffeine than lighter roasted ones. This is not the case. A dark roast coffee beans roast Strong Coffee Beans bean will have less caffeine in it than light roasts due to its lower density, however the total amount of caffeine will be the same.

A typical cup of brewed coffee has about 95 milligrams (mg) of caffeine in it, but the daily limit for consumption is 400 milligrams. Keeping within this range should not cause any adverse side effects unless you're sensitive to caffeine. If you're not sensitive to caffeine can still enjoy their coffee, but it's crucial to be aware of the amount caffeine you're taking in and be cautious about excessive consumption.