5 Coffee Bean Projects For Every Budget
What Are Coffee Beans?
The coffee beans that you brew are actually the seeds of the fruit called a coffee cherry. The coffee plant is perennial, meaning 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. Find out more about this popular seed.
Origin
Coffee is a drink made from the seeds that are roasted (beans) of the coffee plant. The beans are a sought-after and lucrative international commodity. The coffee plants are evergreen, woody shrubs that grow in tropical climates. The majority of the world's beans is grown in the Bean Belt, which includes the regions around the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
The most well-known origin story of coffee begins in Ethiopia with a goatherder named Kaldi. He observed that his flock was particularly active after eating the bright red berries that were found in certain coffee plants. Kaldi shared this discovery with an abbot of the nearby monastery who had made a drink using the berries. The energizing effects of the berries spread from there.
Coffee beans today come from two major varieties of the Coffea plant: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is most commonly found in Africa and Indonesia and is generally cheaper than arabica. In addition to the main varieties, there are also smaller specialty beans that are a mix of arabica and robusta. These beans are known as peaberries, and are more flavorful than standard beans.
In the process of roasting beans lose their moisture which can result in them becoming stale and bitter. It is important to only make use of fresh, high-quality beans for your coffee.
Flavor
The four components of flavor -- acidity, bitterness, saltiness, sweetness and aciditycan be influenced by bean's type, climate and processing method. 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 the amino acids in their seeds to form hundreds of aromatic compounds that influence their flavor profile. This reaction is referred to as the Maillard Reaction, and it occurs in nearly 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 contribute to the taste of coffee. The taste of a unroasted or green bean may be earthy, fruity, floral or chocolatey. Bitterness can be a result of full-bodied roasts containing more caffeine. However, it could also be caused by improper processing or storage.
Flavored coffee beans have flavor oils that help preserve the beans and add a certain scent and taste. These flavored oils can be a mixture of chemicals and natural flavors, such as chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla. The flavors are linked to the beans by polyphenol, a chemical compound.
Health Benefits
Coffee beans are a good source of magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. They are also a good source of antioxidants that prevent oxidative stresses (which can cause chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer). The antioxidant chlorogenic acids found in coffee beans are especially effective against obesity-related ailments like diabetes or high cholesterol levels.
Coffee is a natural energy boost that makes people feel more alert. Caffeine stimulates neurochemicals that improves memory, alertness, and cognitive performance. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Drinking moderate amounts has been proven to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia. It also boosts satisfaction, mood and energy levels as well as concentration.
Anti-ageing: The antioxidants (including caffeine and the chlorogenic acids) in coffee work as a natural moisturizer for the skin, boosting cell turnover to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They also have UV-protection properties, which block sunlight and preventing sun damage to the skin.
Anti-depressant Coffee beans are a natural anti-depressant. They increase serotonin levels and dopamine 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. Cafestol and Kahweol, both diterpene ester compounds that have lipolytic qualities. They aid in reducing cellulite.
Caffeine
Coffee is a favored drink around the world. It has become an integral part of many morning routines. Coffee beans are actually the seeds of a plant called the coffee plant or coffee cherry and they are a natural stimulant caffeine. The caffeine in coffee can differ depending on how the bean is processed, roasted, and prepared. However, there are amazon coffee beans regarding the amount of caffeine contained in each coffee bean that will aid you in making smart decisions when choosing your joe.
The average coffee bean has around 2 milligrams of caffeine. However the exact amount could differ depending on its size and how darkly it has been roasted. There is a popular belief that darker roasted beans have more caffeine in them than lighter roasted ones however this isn't the reality. Dark roast coffee beans contain less caffeine than light roasts due to their smaller density. However the amount of caffeine is similar.
A typical cup of coffee contains around 95 milligrams of caffeine in it, however the recommended daily limit is 400 milligrams. If you stay within this limit, it should not cause any adverse consequences unless you're sensitive to caffeine. Caffeine isn't harmful to those who are not sensitive. However, it is important to be aware of how much caffeine you drink and to be cautious about overdoing.