10 Coffee Bean Tricks All Experts Recommend
What Are Coffee Beans?
The coffee beans you use to brew your coffee are actually seeds of a fruit called the coffee cherry. The coffee plant is a perennial, meaning it comes back every year.
Consuming coffee beans in moderation is recommended as they contain high levels of caffeine as well as other compounds. Find out more about this well-known seed!
Origin
Coffee is a beverage made from the roasted seeds (beans) of the coffee plant. The beans are a popular and profitable international commodity. Coffee plants are woody evergreen plants that thrive in the tropical regions. Most of the world's coffee is grown in the Bean Belt, which includes those areas that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
The most popular legend of coffee's beginnings is that of a goat herder named Kaldi in Ethiopia. He noticed that the bright red berries from certain coffee plants helped his goats become more energetic. Kaldi shared his findings with the abbot of a nearby monastery, who came up with a drink made from the berries. The berries' energizing effects spread from there.
Presently, coffee beans are produced by two major varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is mostly in Africa and Indonesia and is generally cheaper than arabica. There are also smaller varieties that are a mix of arabica & robusta. They are known as Peaberries and have a more delicious taste than regular beans.
During the process of roasting beans lose their moisture which could result in them becoming stale and bitter. To avoid this, it's crucial to select only fresh, premium beans for your coffee.
Flavor
The four components of flavor- acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and saltiness -are influenced by beans' type, climate, and the method of processing. The level of these elements can create a wide variety of flavor profiles, ranging from sweet and fruity to nutty or even smoky.
When coffee beans are heated they react with amino acids contained in their seeds to create hundreds of unique aromatic compounds which influence their flavor profile. This process is known as the Maillard Reaction and it is the same chemical reaction that happens in all cooking. The result is that the smell of roasted coffee is a reflection of these chemical compounds.
While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of the roast, nonvolatile as well as volatile compounds also influence the taste of coffee. Green beans, whether unroasted or not, can be a bit sweet, floral or earthy. Bitterness is usually associated with full-bodied roasts that contain more caffeine, however it could also be because of improper brewing techniques or storage.
Flavored coffee beans are coated with flavor oils that help preserve the beans while providing an aroma and flavor. The flavored oils are a mixture of natural and chemical flavors that range from cinnamon to vanilla chocolate. The flavors are attached to the beans with the chemical compound polyphenol.
Health Benefits
Coffee beans are a rich source of a variety of nutrients that are good for health like magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. They're also an excellent source of antioxidants that help prevent the oxidative stress (which can cause chronic illnesses such as cancer and atherosclerosis). The antioxidant chlorogenic acids found in coffee beans are especially beneficial against obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes or high cholesterol levels.
Coffee is a natural source of energy that makes people feel more alert. The caffeine it contains stimulates neurochemicals in the brain that improve memory and vigilance, boosts cognitive function and helps control blood sugar levels within the body. Drinking moderate amounts has been proven to lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and dementia. It also boosts happiness, mood energy, concentration, and satisfaction.
Anti-aging The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee act as natural moisturizers for your skin, boosting cell turnover, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines. bulk buy coffee beans possess UV-protection capabilities blocking light and preventing sun damage to skin.
Anti-depressant Coffee beans can be used as an anti-depressant, boosting serotonin and dopamine in the brain to increase the level of happy hormones. It also helps reduce inflammation and pain, acting as a natural painkiller and improving the effectiveness of medical painkillers. Cafestol and Kahweol, both diterpene ester compounds that have lipolytic properties. They help to reduce cellulite.
Caffeine
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks around the world and has become an integral part of the routine of many mornings. Coffee beans are actually seeds of a plant known as the coffee plant or coffee cherry and they are a natural stimulant, caffeine. The amount of caffeine in coffee can vary depending on the method of roasting and prepared. It can also be brewed. However, there are fundamental rules regarding the amount of caffeine found in each coffee bean that can help you make smart decisions when choosing your joe.
The average coffee bean has about 2 milligrams of caffeine per cup, however the exact amount can vary according to the size of the bean and how darkly roasted it is. It is a popular myth that coffee beans roasted in darker roasts contain more caffeine than lighter roasted ones. It's not the case. A dark roast coffee bean will have less caffeine than light roasts due its lower density, however the overall amount of caffeine will be the same.
A typical cup of brewed coffee contains around 95 milligrams (mg) of caffeine in it, but the recommended daily limit is 400 milligrams. If you are not sensitive to caffeine staying within this range shouldn't cause any negative effects. Caffeine isn't harmful to those who aren't. However it is important to be aware of how much caffeine you consume and be cautious about overdoing.