Can You Eat Unroasted Coffee Beans?

Since you are reading this article, then like me, you too are asking yourself, can you eat unroasted coffee beans?

Unroasted coffee beans is actually just the name for green coffee beans, and is used to make different kinds of food products like flour and vegetable oil.

This is because it still contains nutrients which are very beneficial for human health. It is actually very nutritious compared to raw coffee beans and roasted ones.

Can you eat unroasted coffee beans? Yes, and it is actually good for you, however, unroasted coffee also contains stimulants called caffeine and theophylline which can cause unpleasant effects for certain people if they consume too much.

Unroasted coffee beans have been linked to weight loss, and contain such a high concentration of polyphenols that they taste very bitter.

The unroasted seeds contain high amounts of antioxidants, magnesium, potassium and fibre which are good for the human body. It also has a very low sugar content so it can help you lose weight and maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

What are Unroasted Coffee Beans?

There are hundreds of different varieties with unique tastes, aromas, and chemical compositions obtained during processing that produces roasted beans.

Unroasted coffee beans are the seeds of berries from two species of coffee plant.

The unroasted bean contains a small amount of caffeine (in some cases nearly 0%), which is reduced substantially during the roasting process, and therefore, can be a stimulant, a diuretic, and a mild appetite suppressant.

The beans are generally slightly larger than roasted beans with a width of about 2-4mm and length of 7-9mm, but this can vary from 1-11mm depending on the variety.

They are green, yellowish brown or almost black in colour and covered in a slimy layer of mucilage that is removed during wet processing.

Once harvested, the seeds must be processed quickly to avoid spoilage and loss of quality.

The outer layers of the seed contain enzymes that can cause it to ferment if it is not dried immediately after harvesting.

The sugars in the beans can attract insects or fungi that cause further problems during storage.

How Long Do Unroasted Coffee Beans Last?

Unroasted coffee beans can be stored for about one year before they begin to lose quality, at which point they are said to have gone stale.

However, this can be extended to 18 months if they are placed in air-tight containers and kept in a cool, dry place.

The unroasted beans can then be ground and brewed just like regular coffee beans, but the lack of roasting means that any defects in the seed will not be covered up by roasting flavours.

For those who want to sell the unroasted beans, they are first sorted by hand to remove any defective seed, and are then stored under carefully controlled conditions to ensure proper moisture content.

These are essential in order to keep the beans at their best quality and prevent further deterioration or spoilage.

The seeds are packed in 60-kilogram jute bags with their maturation date marked on them to ensure quality.

It is common knowledge that green coffee can help you lose weight because it contains high amounts of chlorogenic acid which promotes the secretion of glucose from the liver and improves carbohydrate metabolism.

This way, your body absorbs less fat as a source for energy production, as well as suppressing your appetite so you will not feel hungry as often.

Why Buy Unroasted Coffee Beans?

For coffee lovers, it is very important to know about the benefits of unroasted coffee beans.

Roasting helps bring out the flavour from the raw coffee beans and also brings a number of health benefits with it.

So, although buying already roasted coffee has many advantages, there are some equally good reasons why you should always buy unroasted coffee beans.

1. Control Over Your Own Roast Levels

Most people prefer the flavour of roasted coffee, but during roasting there are a number of different changes that take place which can have a negative effect on the taste and quality.

Therefore, enabling yourself to roast your own coffee beans will mean that you can make the perfect bean for your preference.

You can experiment with a variety of roast levels, such as, light or dark roast, and this in-turn will also allow you to experiment with the many different brewing methods.

2. Longer Shelf Life

When buying unroasted coffee beans it is important that you buy high quality green coffee beans which have been grown under strict conditions.

It is very important that good green coffee should be used fresh within one year of harvest and therefore, it is best to buy your coffee beans in small quantities.

Unroasted coffee will also have a longer shelf life than roasted coffee since the latter has lost all its moisture during roasting, thus reducing the possibility of molding and rotting.

3. Contain Less Harmful Chemical Substances

The majority of people prefer drinking roasted coffee as it has a much better taste, easier to grind.

The drawback of roasted coffee beans is that during roasting some harmful chemical substances are formed, including benzopyrene which has cancer-producing properties.

Roasted coffee also produces dark coloured diterpenes which are carcinogenic in nature.

What are the Advantages of Unroasted Coffee Beans?

So now you have brought your own unroasted coffee beans, it will be time to enjoy the following benefits that come with them.

1. Contains Higher Caffeine Levels

The high caffeine content in unroasted coffee is better for your health since it stimulates the brain cells, improves concentration levels and also gives a boost to your nervous system.

2. Reduced Risk of Cancer

Unroasted coffee has been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer such as endometrial, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

This is attributed to the high antioxidant levels in unroasted beans which help neutralise free radicals before they can cause any damage to the body cells.

3. Helps Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Unroasted coffee also prevents the formation of plaque and other harmful deposits in the blood vessels and other major organs such as heart and liver, thus lowering your risk of coronary diseases.

It also helps reduce cholesterol levels which is important for those looking to lower their high blood pressure.

4. Stimulates the Nervous System

A cup of unroasted coffee beans can help to make you more alert since it stimulates the nervous system and gives your brain the energy it needs.

If you are sleepy after lunch, then a cup of unroasted coffee would be best for you.

5. Stomach Health Benefits

Unroasted beans will also keep your stomach healthy since they contain chlorogenic acid which is known to protect the lining of the stomach wall against damage by ulcers and other gastric problems.

6. Prevent Pre-mature Ageing

Unroasted coffee also helps prevent premature ageing since it contains antioxidants which have anti-aging properties.

Antioxidants help combat free radicals that are responsible for causing fine lines and wrinkles.

What are the Disadvantages of Unroasted Coffee Beans?

Imagine you’re having a cup of coffee and feel like adding some cream and sugar to the drink.

Chances are it probably tastes better with these additions, but what did your cup originally taste like before you started tampering? You might be able to guess, pure and bitter.

The reason for this bitterness is due to acids produced in the roasting process.

Unroasted coffee beans don’t have any of these acids, therefore, they are less flavourful than their roasted counterparts.

Unroasted beans contain approximately 37 percent sucrose compared to 3 percent in roasted coffee.

Coffee that hasn’t undergone the roasting process is also missing many complex flavours and aromas that develop when it is roasted.

Your coffee brew therefore will lose the intensity when not roasted, whether you drink it black or add sugar and cream, the bean’s original flavour will still be missing.

Another disadvantages to unroasted coffee beans is that they don’t taste as good.

They’re much less flavourful than their roasted counterparts because of acids produced in the roasting process, and also don’t contain as many complex flavours and aromas.

Therefore, the stand out disadvantages of unroasted coffee beans are that they lack flavour and other chemicals lost during the roasting process and overall taste less flavourful than roasted beans.

Resulting in unroasted beans missing the many complex flavours and aromas that can be found in a roasted coffee bean.

Can Your Eat Unroasted Coffee Beans F.A.Q’s

Conclusion: Can Your Eat Unroasted Coffee Beans

Overall, there are many benefits that unroasted coffee beans can provide.

These also include a variety health benefits such as protecting against diabetes, slowing down the ageing process, lowering your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, inhibiting the absorption of fat, preventing cancer cells from growing and keeping your teeth healthy.

“Eating coffee beans unroasted is completely safe, though they are harder to bite and chew than roasted beans.

Furthermore, many people may not enjoy unroasted beans because of the taste. Unroasted coffee beans taste earthy and grassy and are more acidic than roasted coffee beans”

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