The seeds produced by the coffee plant will be the coffee beans. Though these are referred to as beans they are not really beans in the real botanical sense of the word. The coffee plant bears red or purple fruits which are also called cherries or berries of coffee and the stone that lies inside is the ?bean? which is the foundation of coffee. Two stones lying making use of their flat sides together usually constitute the beans. It is out of this bean that coffee is produced which you can use to produce a variety of coffee beverages like espresso, latte and cappuccino using the right coffee makers- espresso machines etc. It might be mentioned a small percentage of any crop of coffee cherries contain a single bean in the cherries rather than the usual two. Such berries are called pea berries.
Coffees facts Some 0.8% to 2.5% caffeine is contained in the endosperm of the coffee seed or bean. This caffeine content gives them the characteristic flavor that the plant is cultivated. Several species of the coffee plant are there and the seeds of each species produce coffees having slightly different tastes. Variation can be seen in the flavors of different genetic subspecies also and the coffee varietals- where in fact the coffee plants are being cultivated.
Coffee beans are a major item of export of several countries. Coffee Arabica may be the species which makes up the major portion (70-75%) of the planet trade. The other important coffee species of coffee cultivated is the Coffee canephora. This is grown where the Coffee Arabica does not thrive.
Processing of coffees The coffees are processed before they are readied for use in preparing espresso, latte, cappuccino and other special coffee drinks using coffee makers- espresso machines and the like. The processing begins with the beans being removed from the coffee cherries. The fruit is then discarded or used as a fertilizer. The bean or seed of coffee is then ground and found in the preparation of beverages of various kinds using a coffeemaker or espresso machine.
Coffees and espresso beans An improvement between ordinary coffee beans and the espresso beans will there be. The espresso beans tend to be a concoction of beans. They are almost always a relatively dark roast like a Vienna or light French roast. This is seemingly a trade secret. So, even though the formula of the blend could be discovered the exact amounts or proportions in which the constituents are to be blended cannot be easily found out.
Flavoring of coffee beans There is also the process of flavoring the coffee beans in an attempt to work upon their natural flavor to meet some purpose. Natural oils are usually used to do this. Half an ounce of oil is usually to be put into a pound of beans for the flavoring to be achieved.
The primary concern of all coffee lovers being the flavor of the drinks, special attention has to be given to ensure that the best flavor is obtained from the coffee beans. This is of crucial importance in case of preparation of espresso, cappuccino, latte and all other special coffee beverages. The superior coffee makers and espresso machines may also deliver the very best results i.e. brew the perfect drinks only if the best flavored ground coffee beans are used. Many of the world class coffee makers and espresso machines of your day has been reported to be failing woefully to deliver desirable brews owing to the use of coffees that were not sufficient.
The true flavor of the coffee beans starts developing with the growth of the plant and is influenced by the climate of where it is grown. Of course, the particular species of the coffee plant also matters in the developing of the flavor. The processing of the bean i.e. the processes that the coffees are created to undergo through after they are extracted from the coffee fruits also affects their taste and flavor.
Roasting helping draw out best flavors Roasting of the beans is an important process that helps draw out the real vibrant flavor of the beans. The carbohydrate and fat content of the coffees get transformed to aromatic oils by heat of the process. This gives rise to the great coffee flavor that is cherished by individuals from all corners of the planet.
Various kinds of roasting of the coffees also have different effects on the coffee produced i.e. varying of the composition. So, while light roast produces light flavored coffee the medium roast results in preparation of a sweeter and fuller-bodied coffee. Again, dark roast that requires an extended roasting time produces a spicy and sweet deep tasting coffee. The characteristic flavors of coffee which are due to particular roasting are produced in the brews made by the coffee makers too.
Selecting best coffee beans and ensuring their freshness It is the best coffee beans that are to be selected. This is determined from the spot where they are procured from. The coffee planted in a specific region and influenced by its climate produces a unique flavor in its cherries and beans (seeds). The Arabica coffee is recognized as the most effective. Gourmet coffee drinks are made by using this coffee. Other varieties just like the Robusta beans have been known to have more caffeine content and lesser flavor. They are also prepared cheaper.
Keeping the coffee beans fresh is also essential. These are to be kept sealed in an air tight container. To take care of freshness in the coffee beverages that you make using your coffeemaker or espresso machine you need to purchase whole beans of coffee from specialty shops. These beans are to be used within a week of purchase. Only then is it possible to reach enjoy perfectly flavored coffee drink. It will always be preferable to gave an excellent coffee grinder at home and prepare freshly ground coffee for the brewing purpose. Pre ground coffee often lacks much of the flavor and aroma that are the sign of premium coffee. On the other hand freshly ground coffee provides more nutritional benefit and ensures the best flavor.