Which type of bean gives coffee its bitter taste?

The origin of bitterness in coffee beans

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and its bitter taste is one of the reasons why many people love coffee. So, which beans does this bitter taste come from? In this article, we will explore the source of the bitter taste of coffee beans.

1. Caffeine

The first thing to mention is caffeine. Caffeine is a compound naturally found in coffee beans that stimulates the nervous system and refreshes the mind. However, it also brings a certain degree of bitterness.

When water comes into contact with the ground coffee, the caffeine it contains dissolves in the water, releasing its characteristic bitter taste. This explains why the rich black colloidal liquid produced by espresso or dark roasting (more time exposed to high temperatures) is more bitter.

2. Acidity

In addition to containing a large amount of soluble substances, acidity is also an important factor in causing bitterness in different types and varieties of coffee beans. Different types of coffee beans have different degrees of acidity, and some varieties are more likely to produce bitterness.

When water comes into contact with coffee powder, the acid contained in it dissolves in the water and increases the overall acidity of the liquid. These acidic substances can bind to the bitter receptors in the mouth, thus producing a bitter taste.

3. Roasting degree

The degree of roasting is also one of the important factors affecting the bitterness and characteristics of coffee beans. During the roasting process, temperature and time will change the internal chemical composition and structure of coffee beans.

Deep roasting (such as French roast or Italian roast) will cause major changes in the coffee beans. The long-term roasting at high temperature will cause compounds such as glucose and amino acids to further react to form new compounds, and reduce the content of other fragrant aromatic compounds originally present in untreated or lightly treated beans.

These newly formed compounds tend to have a stronger bitter taste, so coffee made after deep roasting is more likely to have a bitter taste.

4. Coffee Bean Varieties

The last thing to mention is the coffee bean variety. Different types and varieties of coffee beans have different degrees and characteristics of bitterness. For example, Robusta coffee beans are more bitter than Arabica coffee beans.

Robusta beans are often used in espresso or blends because they contain higher levels of caffeine and acidity, which contribute to the bitter taste.

Summarize

In summary, the bitter taste of coffee beans mainly comes from the compounds they contain - mainly due to the large amount of soluble substances, acidic substances, and new compounds generated during the roasting process. At the same time, when choosing to buy or make your own coffee, the variety of coffee beans and the degree of roasting are also factors to consider.

I hope that through the introduction of this article, readers can better understand the source of the bitterness of coffee beans and have a deeper understanding when enjoying coffee.