Hello everyone, it's me, Bero. It's great to see you again!
We often associate coffee with a beverage. That's correct, but have you ever wondered how the internal structures of coffee cherry create a drink that is so well-liked by many people?
Today, let's answer that interesting question with me!
As Robusta coffee bean (Caphenora plant) , also known as "Voi" coffee in Vietnam, today we'll explore what is inside the Robusta cherry.
What is coffee cherry?
Coffee cherries are fruits, and yes, you can eat them. They even have a nice sweet flavor. Unlike regular cherries and other fruits, coffee cherries have very little flesh and tough, leathery skins.
However, coffee is commonly known as a beverage because the coffee cherries undergoes various processing stages such as cultivation, harvesting, processing, selecting green beans, roasting, and brewing, collectively known as the "farm-to-cup" process, before becoming the popular and well-loved drink it is today.
The structure of coffee cherries?
The skin: The outer layer of Robusta coffee beans protects the seeds from pests and environmental factors, and is typically red or purple when the coffee fruit is ripe.
The fruit flesh: The sticky layer that covers the coffee beans, known as the coffee "mucilage," contains sugar and important nutrients.
Coffee beans: The two seeds inside the coffee fruit are the most important component of coffee. They contain caffeine, antioxidants, and other compounds that contribute to the characteristic taste and aroma of coffee.
Items crafted using Robusta coffee cherries
It is commonly understood that coffee cherries are primarily processed and utilized for the purpose of making drinks, however, they can also be transformed into various other products including:
Cascara tea
Cascara tea is made from the dried husks of coffee cherries that have been sun-dried or roasted. The husks are steeped in hot water to create a tea with a fruity, slightly sweet flavor and rich in antioxidants.
Jam made from Coffee fruit
Jam made from coffee fruit is a product that can be made using the pulp of the coffee cherry. The sweet pulp is cooked down with sugar and other ingredients to make a spreadable jam that has a unique flavor and is rich in antioxidants.
Overall, the coffee fruit's skin and flesh are usually discarded during the coffee bean production process, but they are also rich in nutrients and antioxidants and can be part of a healthy diet.
A Perception on Health Benefits of Coffee
Many studies have been conducted on the health benefits of Robusta known for its bold, strong flavor and high caffeine content.
Improvement in cognitive function: A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming caffeine from Robusta coffee improved cognitive function, including concentration, memory, and processing speed, in healthy adults. The study also found that consuming caffeine from Robusta coffee led to improved physical performance during exercise.
Antioxidant properties: Robusta has a high level of antioxidants, which may help protect against cellular damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
These studies demonstrate that drinking the right amount of Robusta coffee can bring many health benefits. However, it is important to note that consuming too much caffeine can have negative effects on health, including insomnia, anxiety, and palpitations. It is recommended to consume a maximum of 400mg of caffeine, which is about 4 cups of coffee per day.
In addition to the potential health benefits, Robusta coffee fruit is also an important source of income for coffee growers. Currently, Robusta coffee in Vietnam is increasingly valued for its quality and value through modern processing methods and adherence to world coffee standards (CQI-World Coffee Quality Institute). It is also known as "Fine Robusta" or specialty coffee, with a production process that goes from farm to cup: https://www.iocoffee.vn/post/the-story-of-ro-from-farm-to-cup
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