Green vs. Roasted Coffee Beans: What’s the Difference?

The difference between the names of coffee shops for green coffee beans and cooked coffee beans

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and its main ingredient is coffee beans picked from coffee trees. However, you may be surprised to find that raw coffee beans are not the dark brown color that we are familiar with. In fact, before they go through a series of processing and roasting, they present a completely different appearance and characteristics. This article will explore the differences between raw coffee beans and roasted coffee beans.

1. Process

First of all, you need to understand that after being picked, the raw coffee beans need to go through multiple processing steps before they can become the cooked products we see and use.

First, freshly picked coffee beans are usually peeled. This step involves peeling off the outer skin and exposing the inner so-called "pectin" layer. The pectin is then removed in a washed or dry process, leaving the pulp with two seeds inside (the two "coffee seeds" that exist inside the coffee bean in its unprocessed form).

The raw seeds are then fermented, a process where bacteria and yeast break down the pulp and give the beans their special flavor. Finally, they are washed or dry-processed to remove any remaining residues and remove any off-flavors and undesirable substances from the fermentation process.

2. Baking process

Once they have gone through the above processing steps, the green coffee beans are ready for roasting. Roasting is the process of exposing the green coffee beans to high temperatures to change their appearance, taste and flavor characteristics.

Roasting can vary depending on the desired result. Light roasts (such as light or city roasts) generally retain more of the original flavor and result in a lighter color on the surface of the bean, while dark or French roasts result in a dark brown or even black appearance and a more bitter taste.

As time and temperature increase, the moisture in the roasting process gradually evaporates and the structure inside the beans changes. This results in the production of many organic compounds and gases in the coffee beans during the roasting process. These changes determine the flavor and characteristics of the final coffee.

3. Appearance and taste

The most obvious difference between green and cooked coffee beans is their appearance and color.

Green coffee beans are usually light yellow or dark green in color, with a smooth and clean surface. In contrast, roasted coffee beans are dark brown or even black in color, with a layer of oil on the surface.

In addition, as the moisture content is continuously reduced during the processing and roasting process, the finished product is also drier. Therefore, in terms of taste, green coffee beans are usually more acidic, fresh and softer; while the finished product after high temperature treatment is more bitter, rich and full-bodied.

4. Flavor characteristics

Finally, another important difference between green and roasted coffee beans is their flavor profile.

Green coffee beans typically have more raw flavors, which are influenced by factors such as their variety, origin, and processing methods. Some common green coffee bean flavors include fruity, floral, nutty, or chocolate.

In contrast, roasting brings more depth and complexity to the finished product. Different degrees of roasting result in different taste and aroma characteristics. For example, light roasting may retain some acidity and bring citrus or fruity taste; while dark roasting may make bitter and chocolate-like aromas more prominent.

in conclusion

In general, there are clear differences between green coffee beans and the finished product that has been processed and heated to high temperatures to become the coffee we know as coffee. Everything from the appearance to the taste and flavor profile is different. Understanding these differences helps us better understand the coffee making process and the unique experiences that different types of coffee bring.