Differences Between Coffee Beans and Roasts - Caffeine, Flavor

2022-04-25 06:03:24 By : Mr. Paul Chen

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Not every joe is the same.

Coffee is pretty much the best drink in the entire world.

Just in case you didn't already believe that, consider that coffee has several health benefits, you can enjoy it in multiple ways, and that its caffeine provides that oh-so-amazing energy boost and mental pick-me-up.

And pay no mind to the naysayers who knock coffee for being "dehydrating." Those effects are actually pretty mild. "Research shows that [coffee] is actually hydrating, as although caffeine can act as a mild diuretic, the vast majority of what you drink in coffee is really just pure water," says Ginger Hultin, M.S., R.D.N., author of Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep.

"Many health experts, myself included, have our clients count coffee and tea as part of their daily hydration intake, as coffee beans contain unique antioxidants, specifically polyphenols, which have been linked to health benefits, such as for the heart," Hultan says.

Coffee lovers know (and are perhaps perplexed by) that coffee beans come in a variety of origins and roasts. And, depending on which type of bean and roast you select, that may affect the nutritional potency of the drink.

As a rule of thumb, "typically lighter roasts like 'blonde' will retain more of the antioxidant properties than darker roasts," Hultan says. "Arabica is the common bean," she says, so it’s most often associated with regular coffee and the types of coffee you’d find and drink at a coffee shop or restaurant.

Plus, the good news is that Arabica actually retains its antioxidants pretty well in its medium and dark roasts, so if Arabica’s flavor is your favorite, stick with what’s most accessible and most satisfying for you.

There are a few types of coffee worth exploring though, if you’re curious and want to try something new. Here are all the types of coffee to choose from, each with its own flavor and antioxidant power.

These beans originate from Ethiopia and include beans, such as Typica, Caturra, and Kona. "These beans have a wide variety of flavors, including fruity (like berries), or even perfume-y with a smooth flavor that lacks bitterness," Hultan says. So, there are several options to choose from.

Arabica beans are lower in caffeine than Robusta, with an estimated 2 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per bean, and are a go-to for regular coffee, which you might order from coffee shops or find in specialty blends at the store. "Because of their high quality, this is a coffee that can be enjoyed black, so the aromas shine through," Hultan says.

Also originating in Africa, these beans come from the Coffea canephora plant and are bold-flavored, where it almost has an oatmeal-like flavor. "Robusta beans have a higher percentage of caffeine per bean than Arabica, with about twice as much, and actually some estimates indicate 3mg per bean, as a difference," Hultan says.

It’s a common type of coffee bean for espresso and instant coffee, as it’s of a cheaper variety in bean, as in comparison to others. "Because it makes a more bitter coffee, it’s often accompanied by cream and sugar to help soften the flavors, and is often used for iced coffee drinks," she says.

Also native to Africa, this type of coffee is known for having beans with a smoky and floral aroma. “The bold and unique flavor can be polarizing, and it is lower in caffeine than both Robusta and Arabica,” Hultan says.

It's not common in the United States, so you may happen to encounter it while traveling abroad, especially in Asia, but you likely won’t here. “It’s often served with sugar to complement the naturally sweet flavor,” she says.

These beans are actually un-roasted, so while they also come from Coffea fruits, which include Arabica and Canephora types of coffee, they are left unprocessed and remain in their natural form. “Since green coffee beans are left unroasted, they have a unique flavor that’s distinctive to their color and nature, as well as greater antioxidant content,” Hultan says.

So, you’ll get more antioxidant benefits when drinking a cup of coffee that’s made with green coffee beans than you would with other types of coffee beans, like Arabica or Robusta. “The roasting process lowers coffee beans’ natural source of the antioxidant, chlorogenic acid,” says Hultin, which is why green coffee beans, as an exemption, are able to retain more of these potent antioxidants and perhaps maybe provide more health benefits, too.

If so, it could mean that swapping in green coffee beans for your morning brew every now and then could definitely work in your favor. Green coffee beans may also be higher in caffeine content, explains Hultin, but only slightly. And of course, the amount can vary, as it depends on the types of coffee beans for green coffee that are used.

Many people consume green coffee plain, without milk or sugar, to appreciate its delicate flavor. “The flavor is lighter and more mild and has herbal notes, and it also isn't dark brown or black in color, but rather has a lighter amber or greenish color,” she says. So, try it in a simple manner first to see what you think before adding other ingredients and sweeteners.