Coffee beans: Are they beans?

The origin of coffee beans

Coffee beans are seeds belonging to the legume family and are commonly used to make coffee. They are extracted from the fruit of the coffee tree and become the coffee beans we know after a series of processing and roasting.

The difference between coffee beans and other beans

Although the word "bean" is in the name, in fact, coffee beans are very different from the "pea, yellow, and red" plant seeds that we usually refer to in other vegetable or grain foods. First of all, in terms of morphology and structure, they have a more special and complex appearance.

In contrast, the "ordinary" vegetable or grain foods referred to as "small round noodles" have a relatively simple morphological structure: a uniform and smooth surface enveloping the internal rich nutrients and energy sources. In this sense, "ordinary" vegetable or grain foods have no obvious similarities with the ones we come into contact with and use as the main ingredients in our daily lives.

Coffee beans are different. They usually have irregular shapes and different colors. This is because coffee beans are affected by many environmental factors during their growth, such as climate, soil, and cultivation methods. These factors will cause differences in the shape of coffee beans.

Characteristics of coffee beans

In addition to being different from other beans in appearance, coffee beans also have some unique characteristics. The first is its aroma and taste. After being roasted, coffee beans exude a rich and attractive aroma, and have the characteristics of bitter and sweet interweaving, moderate acidity, and rich taste.

Coffee beans also have some advantages in terms of nutritional content. They are rich in various vitamins and minerals and contain a large number of antioxidants. Drinking processed coffee in moderation can provide energy, promote metabolism and improve mood.

From Fruit to Fine Goods

The production process of coffee beans can be divided into several key steps. First, the coffee tree will produce fruits, which are called "coffee cherries." When the cherries are ripe, they will have a red or yellow appearance.

Next, farmers pick these ripe cherries and process them. A common processing method is to wash the pulp off the beans through a water washing process. The beans then need to be dried in the sun and the remaining film and other impurities removed.

The final step is roasting. During this process, the coffee beans are heated to high temperatures and stirred constantly to ensure even heating. This allows the internal moisture to evaporate and develop a specific aroma and flavor.

Conclusion

In summary, despite the word "bean" in its name, coffee beans are very different from the "small round powder" seeds we usually refer to in other food categories. They have a complex and special morphological structure, and have unique characteristics in aroma, taste and nutritional content. The production process of coffee beans also goes through several key steps, and the transformation from fruit to fine product requires hard work from farmers.