A Look At The Myths And Facts Behind Coffee Bean
What Are Coffee Beans?
The coffee beans that you use to make coffee are actually seeds of a fruit called a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, which means that it will come back year after year.
Coffee beans are high in concentrations of certain compounds - like caffeine, and should be consumed in moderation. Learn more about this well-known seed!
Origin
Coffee is a drink made from the seeds that have been roasted (beans) of the coffee plant. Beans are a well-known and profitable international commodity. Coffee plants are woody, evergreen plants that flourish in the tropical regions. Most of the world's coffee is produced in the Bean Belt, which includes the areas surrounding the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
The most popular story about the origin of coffee begins in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He observed that his herd became especially energetic after eating the bright red berries from certain coffee plants. Kaldi shared his findings with an abbot from a nearby monastery, who made drinks with the berries. From there, the energy-boosting effect of the berries grew.
Coffee beans today come from two major varieties of the Coffea plant: Arabica and Robusta. The latter is primarily found in Africa and Indonesia and is generally less expensive than arabica. There are also smaller varieties that are a mixture of arabica & robusta. These beans are referred to as peaberries and are much more flavorful than regular beans.
During the roasting process, beans lose their moisture, which can result in them becoming stale and bitter. It is essential to make use of fresh, high-quality beans for your coffee.
Flavor
The type of bean, the temperature and processing method can influence the four components of taste - bitterness and acidity along with sweetness and saltiness. These components 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 in their seeds to form hundreds of unique aromatic compounds that influence their flavor profile. This reaction is known as the Maillard Reaction, and it occurs in virtually all cooking. The result is that the smell of roasted coffee reflects those compounds.
While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of the roast, nonvolatile as well as volatile compounds are also a part of a coffee's taste. Green beans, whether unroasted or not, can possess a flavor that is earthy, floral or fruity. Bitterness can be a result of roasts with a full body that contain more caffeine. However, it can also be caused by poor storage or brewing.
Flavored coffee beans are flavored with flavor oils that help preserve the beans and give them a distinct flavor and aroma. The flavor oils are a mixture of chemicals and natural flavors, including cinnamon, vanilla and chocolate. The flavors are bonded to the beans with a chemical compound called polyphenol.
Health Benefits
Coffee beans are an excellent source of potassium, magnesium and B vitamins. They're also a great source of antioxidants, that can help reduce the oxidative stress (which can cause chronic illnesses like cancer and atherosclerosis). The antioxidants chlorogenic acids in coffee beans are particularly effective against obesity-related diseases like diabetes or high cholesterol levels.
Coffee is a natural energy booster that makes people feel more alert. The caffeine in it stimulates neurochemicals in the brain, which improve memory and vigilance, boosts cognitive function and aids in controlling blood sugar levels within the body. Drinking moderate amounts has been proven to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. It also boosts happiness, mood, energy, and concentration.
Anti-aging: The antioxidants in coffee (including caffeine and chlorogenic acids) act as natural skin moisturizers which increases cell turnover and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also have UV protection properties, which block light and avoiding sun-induced damage to the skin.
Anti-depressant Coffee beans can be used as an antidepressant, boosting serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which increases the amount of happy hormones. It can also ease inflammation and pain, acting as a natural analgesic while increasing the effectiveness of medical painkillers. Cafestol and Kahweol are diterpene ester compounds with lipolytic properties. They help reduce cellulite.
Caffeine
Coffee is among the most popular drinks around the world and it has become an integral part of numerous morning routines. Coffee beans are actually seeds of a plant known as the coffee plant or coffee cherry and they contain the natural stimulant caffeine. The caffeine content in coffee can vary depending on the method of roasting or prepared, as well as the method of brewing it. There are however some fundamental rules regarding the amount of caffeine present in every coffee bean that will help you make smart decisions when it comes to choosing the right joe.
The average coffee bean has approximately 2 milligrams per bean. However the exact amount may differ based on the size and how darkly it has been roast. It is a common myth that coffee beans that are darker roasted contain more caffeine than lighter roasted ones. This isn't the case. A dark roast coffee bean will contain less caffeine in it than lighter roasts due to its lower density, but the overall amount of caffeine will be the same.
The recommended daily limit for caffeine is 400 milligrams. A typical cup of coffee has 95 milligrams. If you are not sensitive to caffeine, staying within this range isn't likely to cause any adverse effects. the coffee bean shop who are not sensitive to caffeine can enjoy their coffee, but it's essential to be aware of how much caffeine you're inhaling and avoid overdoing it.