What Is in the Coffee Bean That Makes Us Crave It?

10 Jun What Is in the Coffee Bean That Makes Us Crave It?

Coffee is a hot, soothing beverage that millions of people drink daily. Places like coffee shops and houses are essential parts of many cultural experiences. But have you ever wondered when taking a sip of the delicious drink, “How do coffee beans make coffee?” Coffee beans are actually the seed of a coffee plant. When the seeds are harvested, dried, roasted, and ground, they become what we recognize as coffee. If it weren’t for the coffee bean plant, we wouldn’t have the morning cup of joe we look forward to every day.

Which brings us to our next question: what is in the coffee bean that makes us crave it? Let’s take a closer look:

Caffeine

There are avid coffee drinkers that can’t go without it because caffeine gives them a burst of energy. If they skip their morning cup, they feel sluggish and tired. People used to a cup of strong coffee each day depend on the alertness and mental clarity that caffeine can provide.

Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It helps the brain feel more awake, and it is a common ingredient in medicines that treat sleepiness and headaches. However, the body can quickly become dependent on a specific daily dosage of caffeine. When a person who is caffeine dependent doesn’t get their daily fix, it can lead to anxiety, headaches, irritability, and drowsiness.

Just an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine. Experts say that people should limit their caffeine consumption to about 400 milligrams a day, or roughly four 8 ounce cups of coffee. More than this can cause you to feel shaky and confused. It can also cause upset stomachs, nausea, and other not so great symptoms.

Aromas

Did you know that our sense of smell is strongly tied to our memory? When things are hard, a fragrance can take you back to a specific moment in time. Maybe it was when your Grandpa shared his favorite coffee brewing tips or when your mother showed you how to brew coffee beans accompanied by her secret cookie recipe. Whatever it is, people also crave coffee because of the aroma’s familiarity!

Coffee is loaded with chemical compounds that create the distinctive smells we recognize as coffee beans. Beans that come directly off of the coffee bean plant have very little aroma at all. These are called green coffee beans and, in the coffee-making process, they’re roasted. It is the roasting that creates the volatile compounds that our nose recognizes as the smell of coffee. There are several coffee bean types, and each has its own unique smell and flavor developed in the roasting process.

Soothing Habit

The entire process of making a cup of coffee is an integral part of the morning routine. From grinding whole bean coffee in a coffee bean grinder to the brewing process that releases the aroma, making a good cup is a part of waking up each day for most.

A lot of people use specialty coffee brewing methods, including making it in a French press coffee maker or a siphon coffee maker. All methods of brewing include similar steps. Generally, whole bean coffee is ground into powder. Water is heated almost to boiling, and the grounded coffee beans go into the hot water. In most types of coffee making, the grounds are filtered out of the liquid. Then, the coffee is poured into a replacement carafe or directly from the coffee pot into a mug.

Many enjoy the brewing process as much as they enjoy drinking coffee — what’s better than taking a whole coffee bean and transforming it into a hot, delicious drink to start your day?

If you’re looking for your next favorite coffee-making gadgets or equipment, check out our Café Brew online store for all of your coffee needs. Whether you need replacement parts or specialty coffee filters, we have exactly what you’re looking for. Contact us today to learn more!