If you’re a coffee lover, you’ve likely heard about green coffee beans. But what exactly are they, and how are they different from the roasted beans you use to brew your daily cup? In this blog, I’ll share an overview of green coffee beans and what makes them unique.
What Are Green Coffee Beans?
Green coffee beans are the raw, unroasted seeds of the coffee plant. They are typically green, yellowish, or light brown in colour. The beans are harvested by hand or machine from coffee cherries and then processed by one of two methods:
- The dry method dries the beans out in the sun gradually over several weeks. This produces a smoother, nuttier bean.
- The wet method uses water to remove fruit flesh and skin before drying, creating a more acidic flavour profile.
Once processed, the green beans are packaged and shipped around the world. They’re hard in texture since they haven’t been roasted yet. Roasting transforms them into the aromatic, dark brown beans we know and love.
Why Are They Green?
The beans start off green simply because they haven’t been roasted yet. They contain chlorophyll, a green pigment found in most plants. The high heat of roasting breaks this down and causes the beans to take on darker shades.
Green Coffee Nutrition & Benefits
Compared to roasted beans, green coffee beans retain higher levels of certain nutrients and compounds believed to be beneficial for health:
- Chlorogenic acids – antioxidants that may promote heart health
- Polyphenols – powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory effects
- Caffeine – the stimulant present in all coffee beans
- Fibre, manganese, potassium
Some research indicates green coffee supplements may aid weight loss and blood sugar regulation, but more studies are needed.
Purchasing Green Coffee Beans
You can purchase green coffee beans from specialty online retailers. Look for information on origin, altitude, processing method, and harvest date for the freshest beans. Price depends on factors like variety, quality, and scarcity.
Green coffee beans let you try sample coffees from around the globe. You can then roast them yourself to bring out desired flavours and aromas. Understanding the journey from cherry to cup is part of the craft!