What Are Coffee Beans?

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

Coffee beans have high levels of certain compounds - like caffeine, and should be consumed in moderation. Learn more about this popular seed!

Origin

Coffee is a brewed beverage made from the roasted seeds (beans) of the coffee plant. The beans are a favored and lucrative international commodity. Coffee plants are woody, evergreen plants that flourish in the tropical regions. The majority of the world's beans is produced in the Bean Belt, which includes those areas that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most well-known origin story of coffee starts in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He observed that his herd was particularly energetic after eating the bright red berries of certain coffee plants. Kaldi shared this discovery with an abbot from an adjacent monastery who prepared a drink using the berries. The energizing properties of the berries were then spread to other places.

Presently coffee beans are produced by two major varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is found primarily in Africa and Indonesia and is generally more affordable than arabica. In addition to the primary varieties, there are also smaller specialty beans that are a mixture of arabica and robusta. These beans are known as peaberries and are more flavorful than regular beans.

During the roasting process, beans lose their moisture, which could result in them becoming stale and bitter. To prevent this from happening, it is crucial to select only fresh, premium beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The bean's variety, process and climate can affect the four components of taste -- bitterness and acidity as well as sweetness and saltiness. The level of these elements can create a wide range of flavor profiles ranging from fruity and sweet to nutty or even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated they react with the amino acids contained in their seeds and produce hundreds of unique aromatic compounds which affect the flavor profile of the coffee. This process is known as the Maillard Reaction and it is the same chemical reaction that occurs in virtually every cooking. The aroma of roasted beans reflects these compounds.

While the Maillard Reaction affects the overall flavor of a roast, nonvolatile and volatile compounds also contribute to a coffee beans unroasted (source web page)'s taste. The taste of a green or unroasted coffee can be earthy, floral, fruity, or even chocolaty. Bitterness can be associated with roasts that are full-bodied and contain more caffeine. However, it can also be caused by improper brewing or storage.

Flavored coffee beans are coated with flavor oils that help to preserve the beans and add the flavor and aroma. The flavor oils can be made up of chemicals and natural flavors like chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla. The flavors bind to the beans using a special chemical compound called polyphenol.

Health Benefits

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

Coffee is a natural source of energy that makes people feel more alert. Caffeine stimulates neurochemicals that enhances alertness, memory and cognitive function. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Research has shown that moderate consumption of coffee may help lower the risk of Parkinson's disease and dementia, and also increase happiness, mood energy, and concentration.

Anti-ageing The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee serve as a natural moisturizer for the skin, increasing cell turnover to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They also provide UV-protection, filtering light and preventing sun damage to skin.

Anti-depressant Coffee beans are a natural anti-depressant. They boost dopamine levels and serotonin levels in the brain, increasing the level of happy hormones. It can also relieve inflammation and pain by acting as a natural sedative and increasing the effectiveness of medical pain killers. Coffee also contains cafestol as well as kahweol. These are diterpene esters with lipolytic properties in the adipose tissue, thereby aiding in fighting cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is a favored drink across the globe. It is now an integral part of most morning routines. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant or coffee beans sale cherry. They contain caffeine, which is a natural stimulant. The amount of caffeine in coffee can differ based on how it is roasted and prepared before being brewed. But, there are fundamental rules regarding the amount of caffeine contained in each coffee bean that will help you make smart decisions when it comes to choosing the right joe.

The average coffee bean company bean has approximately 2 milligrams per bean. However the exact amount could depend on the size and how darkly it was roast. It is a popular myth that coffee beans roasted in darker roasts contain more caffeine than lighter roasted ones. This is not true. A dark roast coffee bean has less caffeine in it than a light roast due to its lower density, however the overall amount of caffeine will remain the same.

A typical cup of coffee contains about 95 milligrams caffeine in it, however the recommended daily limit is 400 milligrams. If you are not sensitive to caffeine, staying within this range shouldn't cause any negative consequences. For those who aren't sensitive to caffeine can enjoy their coffee, however it is important to be aware of how much caffeine you're inhaling and avoid overdoing it.