What Are The Myths And Facts Behind Coffee Bean

What Are Coffee Beans?

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

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

Origin

The seeds that are roasted in the coffee plant are used to create coffee, a drink that is brewed. The beans are a popular and profitable international commodity. The coffee plants are evergreen, woody shrubs that thrive in tropical climates. The Bean Belt includes the areas that surround the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most famous legend about coffee's beginnings began with a goat herder named Kaldi in Ethiopia. He noticed that his herd was particularly active after eating the bright red berries from certain coffee plants. Kaldi shared his findings with an abbot of a nearby monastery, who made a drink using the berries.  high quality coffee beans  were then spread to other places.

Presently coffee beans are made by two main varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is mostly found in Africa and Indonesia and is generally more affordable than arabica. In addition to the main varieties, there are also smaller specialty beans that are a blend of arabica and robusta. These beans are called peaberries and have more flavor than standard beans.

During the roasting process, beans lose their moisture which can lead to them becoming stale and bitter. To avoid this, it is essential to select only fresh, high quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The bean's type, processing method and climate can affect the four elements of taste, which are bitterness and acidity, sweetness and saltiness. These components can be mixed in a variety of ways to create different flavor profiles that range from sweet fruity to nutty or even smoky.

When coffee beans are exposed to heat they react with amino acids in the seed, forming hundreds of aromatic compounds that influence the flavor profile of coffee beans. This process is known as the Maillard Reaction and it is the same chemical reaction that happens in all cooking. The aroma of roasted beans reflect these compounds.

The Maillard Reaction is responsible for the overall flavor, but volatile and nonvolatile substances also play a role in the taste of coffee. The flavor of a unroasted or green bean can be earthy, floral, fruity, or chocolatey. Bitterness can be a result of full-bodied roasts containing more caffeine. However, it could also be due to improper brewing or storage.

Flavored coffee beans are coated with flavor oils to help preserve the beans and add distinct aroma and taste. These flavored oils are mixture of natural and chemical flavors that can include everything from cinnamon to vanilla to chocolate. The flavors are bonded to the beans using an organic compound known as polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are a rich source of a variety of nutrients that are good for health including potassium, magnesium and B vitamins. They're also a good source of antioxidants, which prevent the oxidative stress (which leads to chronic diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis). The antioxidant chlorogenic acid in coffee beans is particularly beneficial against obesity-related ailments, like high cholesterol levels and diabetes.

Coffee is a natural source of energy that helps people feel more alert. Caffeine stimulates neurochemicals, which improves alertness, memory and cognitive performance. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels. Research has shown that drinking moderate amounts of coffee can reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease and dementia, as well as increase happiness, mood, energy and concentration.

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

Anti-depressant: Coffee beans can be used as an antidepressant which boosts dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which increases the level of happy hormones. It can also relieve inflammation and pain and inflammation, acting as a natural sedative and increasing the effectiveness of medical painkillers. Coffee also contains cafestol and kahweol which are diterpene esters that have lipolytic properties in the adipose tissues, helping to fight cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is among the most popular drinks in the world, and it has become integral to many 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 of coffee is contingent on the method of roasting and prepared before being brewed. There are a few guidelines to help you select the right coffee.

The average coffee bean contains around 2 milligrams caffeine per bean, however the exact amount will differ according to the size of the bean and the degree of roasting it has been. It is a popular myth that darker roasted coffee beans contain more caffeine than lighter roasted ones. This isn't the case. A dark roast coffee bean will have less caffeine than a light roast due to its lower density, however the total amount of caffeine will be similar.

A typical cup of brewed coffee contains around 95 milligrams caffeine in it, but the recommended daily limit is 400 milligrams. Keeping within this range should not have any adverse unwanted effects unless sensitive to caffeine. Caffeine isn't harmful for those who aren't. However it is important to be aware of the amount of caffeine you consume and be cautious about overdoing.