10 Ways To Create Your Coffee Bean Empire

What Are Coffee Beans?

The coffee beans are used to brew coffee are actually the seeds of a fruit referred to as a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is a perennial, meaning it comes back year after year.

Coffee beans contain high concentrations of certain compounds, such as caffeine, and should be consumed in moderation. Learn 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.  Coffeee  are evergreen, woody shrubs that flourish in tropical climates. The majority of the world's coffee is grown in the Bean Belt, which includes the regions around the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The most popular origin story of coffee starts in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He observed that his herd became more active after eating the bright red berries from certain coffee plants. Kaldi shared this discovery with an abbot from an adjacent monastery who prepared drinks using the berries. From there, the energy-boosting effect of the berries spread.

Presently coffee beans are produced by two main varieties of Coffea plants: Arabica and Robusta. The latter is found predominantly in Africa and Indonesia and is generally cheaper than arabica. In addition to the main varieties, there are many smaller specialty beans that are a mixture of arabica and robusta. These beans are referred as Peaberries and have a scrumptier taste than standard beans.

When roasting beans lose their moisture, which can lead to them becoming bitter and stale. It is important to only utilize fresh, high-quality beans for your coffee.

Flavor

The four components of flavor- acidity, bitterness, saltiness, sweetness and acidityare influenced by bean type, climate, and the method of processing. These elements can be mixed in a variety of ways to create different flavor profiles, from sweet and fruity to nutty or even smoky.

When coffee beans are heated they react with the amino acids contained in their seeds and produce hundreds of aromatic compounds that 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.

The Maillard Reaction is responsible for the overall flavor, however volatile and nonvolatile components also contribute to the taste of coffee. The taste of a green or unroasted coffee can be earthy, fruity, floral or even chocolaty. Bitterness is often associated with full-bodied roasts that contain more caffeine, but it can also be because of improper brewing techniques or storage.

Flavored coffee beans come with flavor oils that help preserve the beans and provide a unique aroma and taste. 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 an organic compound known as polyphenol.

Health Benefits

Coffee beans are a great source of magnesium, potassium and B vitamins. They're also an excellent source of antioxidants, which prevent the effects of oxidative stress (which leads to chronic diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer). The antioxidants found in the chlorogenic acids in coffee beans are especially beneficial against obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

Coffee is a natural energy booster that helps people feel more alert. The caffeine in it stimulates neurochemicals in the brain, which enhance concentration and vigilance, enhances cognitive function and helps to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Consuming moderate amounts of coffee has been proven to decrease the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. It can also improve mood, satisfaction and energy levels as well as concentration.

Anti-aging: The antioxidants found in coffee (including chlorogenic acids and caffeine) act as natural skin moisturizers which increases cell turnover and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also have UV-protection properties, filtering the sunlight and preventing sun damage to the skin.

Anti-depressant Coffee beans can be used as an anti-depressant that boosts serotonin and dopamine in the brain to increase the amount of happy hormones. It can also relieve inflammation and pain by acting as a natural painkiller and improving the effectiveness of prescription painkillers. It also contains cafestol and Kahweol, two diterpene ester with lipolytic properties within the adipose tissue, thus helping to fight cellulite.

Caffeine

Coffee is a favored drink throughout the world. It is now an integral part of most morning routines. Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant or coffee cherry. They are rich in caffeine, a natural stimulant. The caffeine content in coffee may vary based on how the bean is processed, roasted, and prepared. But, there are basic guidelines regarding the amount of caffeine in each coffee bean that will assist you in making the right choices when selecting your joe.

The average coffee bean has approximately 2 milligrams of caffeine, however the exact amount will differ according to the bean's size and the degree of roasting it has been. There is a common misconception that dark-roasted beans have more caffeine than light roast ones, but this is not the case. A dark roast coffee bean will contain less caffeine in it than light roasts due to its lower density, but the overall amount of caffeine will be the same.

The daily limit recommended for caffeine is 400 milligrams. A typical cup of coffee is 95 milligrams. If you stay within this limit, it should not cause any negative side effects unless you're sensitive to caffeine. Those who are not sensitive to caffeine may enjoy their coffee, however it's important to be aware of the amount caffeine you're taking in and to avoid overdoing it.