Green coffee beans: Small wonders

Are you one of ‘I simply luv coffee’ beings? Well, next time you step into grocery store to order your favourite brand just say ‘green coffee beans please’. And before you spring up a string of questions here’s why you must do so.

What are green coffee beans?

Coffee beans are basically seeds, but because they bear strong similarity to real beans, they are called ‘ coffee beans’.  Though we find them in attractive bottles with lingering aroma, in reality, they are neither brown nor black, but green when harvested. These turn brown only when roasted. It is during this process that they also double their volume. The naturally green beans have a shelf-life of 34-36 months.

The green coffee beans are easily available in local stores and can be roasted at home for that fresh punch.

How to roast in a pan: Heat the pan and spread the beans just like you would have done to the regular nuts. Keep stirring them so that they get roasted evenly from all sides. Within 7-8 minutes the beans will start spluttering. Continue to shake the pan and roast for another 10-12 minutes (you can roast more or less depending on your taste preference). Now remove the pan from the flame and store them in a cool dry container. Use the beans after two days.

You may even microwave the beans.

Recipe 1:

Remember: Green coffee beans do not taste like the usual roasted coffee beans we are used to. So while serving people make sure you take it in little quantities.

1.    Soak beans overnight. Stir the beans the following day and boil them.

2.    Allow it to simmer for 15 minutes over low flame and keep stirring.

3.    Remove the pan from the stove and allow it to cool for an hour. Sieve the beans.

4.    Now dilute the concentration with water according to your taste.

5.    You may now add sugar, honey or cardamom as per your taste.

6.    Store the remaining brew in a glass container in the refrigerator and use it within 2 – 3 days.

Recipe 2:

Pound the beans. Put the powder (consistency depending on your taste) in a cup and add hot water to it. Let it stand for about 8-10 minutes and then sieve it through. You may add sugar or honey to it but avoid milk.

An interesting history

More than a thousand years ago, coffee beans were used as food. The East African tribes prepared a paste together with animal fat and coffee berries. Later, the Ethiopians fermented and dried the coffee berries to prepare a type of wine.

However, it was in the Arabian Peninsula where coffee grew naturally and was first used as a hot drink.

Health benefits

Roasting coffee beans reduces the chlorogenic acid in it which is known to have a healthy effect on those suffering from heart ailments, diabetes, helps weight loss and more.

Controls high blood pressure:  It works on blood vessels thus reducing blood pressure
Helps lose weight: Chlorogenic acid helps the body handle blood sugar and metabolism well. The loss is visible after a period of 12 weeks.

Caution:

During clinical research no serious side effects of green coffee have been reported. However, it could have an adverse affect if inhaled. Also, it could cause caffeine-related side effects just like the roasted coffee.
Hence, one must look out or symptoms such as insomnia, nervousness / restlessness, nausea and increased heart and breathing rate. It may also lead to headaches, osteoporosis, agitation, ringing in ears, irritable bowel syndrome and worsen bleeding disorders, diarrhea. Caffeine is also known to increase pressure within the eye within 30 minutes of consumption and continue till 90 minutes and decrease blood sugar levels among diabetics.

–windotonews