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Green Coffee: Know How it Differs from Regular Coffee

Coffee is one of the most unrivalled products in the market for decades. The craze that coffee holds lies within its bold colour, flavour, and outstanding aroma. Who doesn't crave a cup of coffee? There is no good coffee without roasting. The raw coffee beans are roasted at just the right temperature and time to bring out the essential flavours. But while roasting, most of the chemical properties and nutrients tend to get lost.

On the contrary, green coffee is brewed with unroasted raw coffee beans. Yes, you heard it right. Green coffee beans are the unroasted raw coffee beans. Raw coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee berries. These seeds are green in colour; hence they are called green coffee beans. Green coffee beans turn brown while roasting. Since green coffee beans are in their most natural form, all goodness remains intact. Unlike any traditional coffee drink, green coffee is more likely a herbal drink. Green coffee tastes nothing like regular coffee but is very mild and herby.

Coffee, in general, boosts energy, memory and is an excellent nervous stimulant. It also comes with a little bit of a bad reputation. But green coffee has become a wonder drink. It has become a favourite drink to the coffee lovers, and for all those weight watchers and fitness freaks out there.

Why Is Green Coffee a Current Trend?

Green coffee is insanely famous for its pharmacological value. In simple words, the green coffee extract has numerous health benefits. The two major constituents of green coffee are chlorogenic acid(CGA) and caffeine. Green coffee seeds also contain carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and other essential acids. The regular coffee loses a considerable amount of chlorogenic acid and other chemical compounds while roasting, making it a less healthy drink than green coffee.

Chlorogenic acid is an important biologically active polyphenol found in green coffee. CGA is a natural antioxidant. Antioxidants are known for eliminating free radicals from the body, which are harmful. CGA helps improve body metabolism aiding weight loss. It has anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties as well. It improves blood circulation and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases. Depending on the variety of coffee, green coffee seeds contain up to 7%-14% of chlorogenic acids. Caffeine is a well known chemical compound that acts as a nervous stimulant and also an energy booster. Hence green coffee is preferred more as a health drink.

Green coffee is heavily marketed as a supplement for weight loss. What makes them even more attractive is their innumerable health benefits. While green coffee extract is widely commercialised, natural green coffee beans are available as well. The green coffee extract comes both in capsules and powder forms.

Losing Weight

Green coffee is particularly known for its weight loss properties. It increases the Basal Metabolic Rate(BMR) of the body. Consumption of green coffee reduces the amount of sugar released from the liver into the bloodstream. To meet the glucose requirement, the body starts burning the excess fat stored in the fat cells. Hence it is a metabolism booster. Green coffee is also an appetite suppressant, which helps in keeping a check on overeating and cravings. Not just a cup of green coffee, but a healthy lifestyle is the key to losing weight.

Maintaining Blood Sugar Levels

Green coffee has anti-diabetic properties. The chlorogenic acid present in green coffee plays an active role in glucose metabolism regulation. CGA helps control Type-2 diabetes by improving glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. It reduces blood sugar levels by delaying the absorption of glucose in the small intestine.

Reducing High Blood Pressure

Source healthline.com

Green coffee can reduce high blood pressure that is induced by stress. It has reduced both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure only for people with good health conditions. However, it is not advisable for people with high blood pressure to regularly take green coffee without proper consultation.

Anti-Ageing

Antioxidants are well known for their anti-ageing properties. Green coffee has abundant chlorogenic acid, which helps in keeping the skin young. It contains gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA), epigallocatechin gallate, and theophylline, which slows down all anti-aging signs. It helps in reducing the transepidermal loss of water, thereby keeping the skin soft and free from dryness. It also reduces early wrinkle formation. CGA also protects the skin from the damage caused by overexposure to sunlight.

Healthy Skin

Hydration is the key to maintaining healthy and glowing skin. Packed with antioxidants and various other micronutrients, green coffee promotes hydration. CGA improves the pH levels of the skin. It keeps the skin fresh from dullness and roughness. Maintaining healthy skin, in turn, reduces premature ageing. It is a good detoxifier and flushes out all the toxins, and enhances the body's immune system.

Prepare Your Own Green Coffee at Home

Worried a bit on how to brew a perfect and healthy green coffee at home? Brewing green coffee at home is as simple as brewing any regular coffee or tea. With some tips and tricks, green coffee can be made more delicious and refreshing. The foremost thing in making a good cup of instant green coffee is to keep the best green coffee beans handy. And the second thing is to have a good coffee grinder, which is suitable for grinding unroasted coffee beans. Green coffee beans are very hard in nature. They contain some moisture. Hence, it can be a little bit tricky while grinding. Getting a fine powder is impossible. Anywhere between coarse and slightly coarse powder is good.

Don't have a good coffee grinder? That's not a problem at all. Go for the whole green coffee beans. It requires a little bit of soaking, but the goodness remains fresh and unchanged. There are plenty of other options available online as well. To make the job easier and hassle-free, green coffee powders are available in the market. Coffees are enjoyed both as a hot and cold beverage based on one's personal preference.

Hot Brewed Coffee

The one thing that everyone likes to have hot, no matter what the season and time, is definitely coffee. In no time, green coffee can be made and served hot.

Steps for brewing with green coffee beans

  • Soak the raw coffee beans with an adequate proportion of water overnight.
  • Bring the soaked coffee beans to a boil in a saucepan.
  • Stir them occasionally just to make sure the beans incorporate water incorporate with water.
  • Once they start to boil, simmer the mixture for another ten minutes and turn off the flame.
  • Let them cool down for some time. Then sieve with a good strainer.
  • Do not steep for too long as the coffee will taste bitter.
  • If they taste too strong, please feel free to dilute with hot water.
  • Add the strained coffee beans to a sealable bag and put them in the fridge to make another batch of coffee. But make sure to discard them within 2 to 3 days.

Steps for brewing with green coffee powder

  • Take 10 gm of green coffee powder for 150 ml of water. Increase the proportion accordingly.
  • Hot water is required but not boiling water. The preferable temperature of the water is 90° C.
  • Mix the coffee powder with the hot water and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Hurray, your green coffee is only 10 minutes away!

Cold Brewed Coffee

On a hot summer day, want to try something cool, refreshing, and healthy at the same time? Don't miss out on this excellent relaxing drink.

Steps for brewing with green coffee beans

  • Soak the coffee beans overnight and do the same as for the hot brewed coffee. Once they are done, chill the coffee in the refrigerator or serve with ice cubes.
  • For instant cold green coffee, take one cup of green coffee beans and boil them with three cups of water.
  • Bring them to a rolling boil and then simmer for some 10 to 15 minutes. Stir them occasionally if needed.
  • Turn off the heat and let cool down for a while.
  • Sieve the coffee using a strainer.
  • Let it cool down to room temperature, and then immediately add ice cubes. Refreshing cold green coffee is ready.

Steps for brewing with green coffee powder

  • Add in the bag or powder of cold-brew coffee powder to a cup of water.
  • Just let them sit overnight.
  • Remove the coffee bag the next morning and serve it with ice. This method suits green coffee sachets that are mainly meant for cold-brew.

Other Green Coffee Extract Beverages to Try

Source www.baristamagazine.com

Green coffee is undeniably one of the healthiest drinks in the world but does it taste delightful? No is the answer. Not everyone likes to drink a herby drink, but that does not limit one from getting all the health benefits of green coffee. Try using green coffee extract as a substitute for water in cooking rice, soups, and salad dressing. Several other delicious beverages can be made with green coffee as the base. Hence no compromise on health and taste as well. Here are a few spectacular green coffee recipes to try at home.

Green Coffee Mojito

Mojito is a traditional Cuban summer drink and a bit alcoholic. To all those non-alcoholic lovers, a green coffee mojito is a great option.

Ingredients

  • Green coffee bean extract
  • Lime juice
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Crushed ice
  • Natural sweetener

Preparation

  • For green coffee extract, take 100 g of green coffee beans and boil them with 300 g of water. After a vigorous boil, let it simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the flame and let it cool down. Sieve the coffee with a strainer.
  • Add 4 oz of green coffee extract to the juice of ½ lime.
  • Add a few fresh mint leaves and 3 oz of crushed ice.
  • Add a sweetener, preferably honey or cane sugar syrup.
  • Finally, give a good stir for that minty goodness.

Green Tea Extreme

Green tea is yet another drink packed with antioxidants. It has epigallocatechin gallate, which improves the immune system. Green tea extreme is that immunity shot everyone needs.

Ingredients

  • Green coffee bean extract
  • Green tea leaves or one bag of green tea
  • Honey

Preparation

  • For the green coffee extract, follow the same procedure as given above.
  • Brew green tea by adding 1 tsp of green tea leaves or one bag of green tea to 3 oz of hot water. Let it sit for 1 to 3 minutes and then strain the leaves or remove the teabag.
  • Add 3 oz of green coffee extract to the green tea. Give a good stir.
  • Add honey for sweetness.

Cranberry Lime Refresher

Source familyhealthdiary.co.nz

Cranberry lime refresher is a great refreshing drink, and the kids will love it. It's a healthy holiday option for the kids and family.

Ingredients

  • Green coffee bean extract
  • Lemonade(lemon-lime soda)
  • Cranberry syrup

Preparation

  • Use the same recipe for green coffee extract.
  • Add 4 oz of green coffee bean extract to 4 oz of lemonade. If lemonade is unavailable, homemade lemonade will make it.
  • To make homemade lemonade, add a tbsp of lemon juice to ¼ cup of water along with 1 cup of soda. Add a tsp of sugar, a pinch of salt and stir them with a few ice cubes.
  • Finally, add 2 tbsp of cranberry syrup and stir them together. Top it with some fresh cranberries.

Green Coffee Fresca

Fresca is known for its fruity flavours. It's a cool, refreshing, and energizing drink. Green coffee Fresca is a must to try.

Ingredients

  • Green coffee bean extract
  • Lemonade
  • Grape syrup

Preparation

  • Prepare the green coffee extract.
  • Add 4 oz (about 120 ml) of green coffee bean extract to 4 oz of fresh homemade lemonade.
  • Add 2 tbsp of fresh grapefruit syrup. Stir well and top it with few grapes and crushed ice for that fruity punch.

Blueberry Green Coffee Lemonade

Blueberry lemonade is yet again a kids friendly summer drink. Blueberries contain the highest level of antioxidants. When combined with green coffee bean extract, it becomes an irresistible healthy treat.

Ingredients

  • Green coffee bean extract
  • Lemonade
  • Blueberry syrup

Preparation

  • Prepare the green coffee extract.
  • Add 4 oz (about 120 ml) of green coffee bean extract to 4 oz of water along with the juice of ½ lime(roughly about 1 or 2 tbsp).
  • Add 2 tbsp blueberry syrup or blueberry pancake syrup and give it a good stir. Serve it with crushed ice and blueberries.

Things to Consider Before Using GCE

Including green coffee or green coffee bean extract regularly in diet can bring positive health benefits to the body. Nevertheless, it also comes with certain cons. Here are a few tips to make the best use of green coffee.

  • While purchasing green coffee beans, always make sure to buy wet-processed beans. Even if the beans are sun-dried, they tend to have moulds and other dust particles.

  • Check for the origin of beans. Coffee grown at higher altitudes tend to have less caffeine and more nutrients.

  • Currently, there is no standardisation. It's always better to use Arabica coffee beans.
  • Caffeine is good, but it can lead to serious illnesses when taken in large quantities. Always stick with the prescribed dosage.

  • Green coffee is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The side effects are not known clearly, but it can be dangerous for the babies. Not advisable for kids too.

  • Few of the other side effects of green coffee are vomiting, diarrhoea, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Stop using immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

  • There is a debate on which is the best time for green coffee consumption. Some recommend having it before meals or on an empty stomach for better metabolism rate. Some recommend having it half an hour after meals. For best results, consult a physician. Green coffee is acidic, so people with gastritis and acid reflux must avoid taking green coffee the first thing in the morning.

  • Although green coffee is a great weight loss supplement, proper exercise and healthy food habits are fundamental.
Writer
Sunandha Wilis
After spending 12 years in the hectic corporate world, Sunandha quit the industry to follow her passion for writing. She enjoys writing on a variety of subjects including travel, health, beauty, fashion and technology. Apart from writing she also dons the hat of an editor from time to time. Her time off is spent listening to music and wrestling with her boys.

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If you have been a regular consumer of coffee, then you probably know about all these tips; however, for beginners, here are some things to keep in mind to brew and make that perfect cuppa coffee - you must always use fresh, whole bean coffee, and if you want to take your brewing skills to the next level, get a scale for weighing the exact amount of coffee required for making a cup, along with a good coffee maker. Lastly, rather than using regular water, you can use filter paper to add to the distinctiveness of your next cup of coffee!