Coffee beans with or without oil: Which is better?

Coffee beans with or without oil: Which is better?

Coffee is an indispensable drink for many people every day, and choosing a good coffee bean is crucial to making delicious coffee. When buying coffee beans, a common question is whether to choose beans that produce oil or not. This issue has always been controversial, so this article will explore these two types of coffee beans from various aspects and analyze their respective advantages and disadvantages.

What is "oiling"?

First of all, we need to understand what "oiling" is. During the roasting process, after the internal moisture is heated and evaporated, the internal fat is activated by the high temperature and begins to dissolve and gradually seeps into the outer surface to form a smooth and shiny liquid. This is called "oiling". Usually, "medium roasted" coffee beans will show more obvious symptoms.

1. Typica coffee bean flavor and aroma

For coffee lovers who like a strong taste and deep aroma, beans with oil may be more suitable for their taste. Because fat will release more aroma and flavor substances during the roasting process, making the coffee have a richer and more complex taste. Beans without oil are relatively light and suitable for those who like a light taste and prominent acidity.

2. Roasting degree

The degree of roasting plays an important role in whether the coffee beans will produce oil. Generally speaking, light roasting (such as Asian style) and medium roasting (such as American style) will cause the coffee beans to produce more oil; while deep roasting (such as Italian style) will make the surface of the beans dry and reduce the chance of fat dissolving into the outer surface to form "oil".

3. Storage period

Another factor to consider is storage time. Due to the high fat content, beans that are prone to "oiling" may deteriorate or lose their original rich aroma after long-term storage. In contrast, beans that do not produce oil are more likely to maintain their original flavor and aroma during storage.

4. Baking uniformity

For roasters, controlling whether the beans produce oil is also related to roasting uniformity. If more oil is produced on the surface of the coffee beans, it may cause uneven heat transfer, causing some beans to be over-roasted while others are not fully developed. Therefore, in the pursuit of uniformity and consistency, it may be more appropriate to choose beans that are not easy to produce oil.

5. Health factors

The last thing to consider is the health factor. Although coffee contains a certain amount of fat, and "oily" coffee beans usually contain more fat, this does not mean that they have a negative impact on human health. In fact, when consumed in moderation, there is no clear evidence that consuming small amounts of fat in coffee will harm the body.

in conclusion

In summary, whether to choose coffee beans to produce oil depends on personal taste preference, roasting degree, storage time, roasting uniformity, and health factors. For those who like a strong taste and deep aroma, beans that produce oil may be more suitable for them; while for those who pursue a light taste and prominent acidity, beans that are not easy to produce oil can be selected. No matter which type of coffee beans you choose, the key is to buy fresh and high-quality products and use them as soon as possible after grinding to maintain the best flavor.