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How To Make Green Coffee
Many of us are used to roasted coffee, but brewing green coffee is an also option.
Published November 30, 2021
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Johan Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Many of us are used to black, roasted coffee, which comes either as beans or as ground powder. This roasted coffee has an appealing aroma and interesting taste profile. Because of how used many of us are to roasted coffee, you may be surprised to discover that brewing green coffee is an option.
What is Green Coffee Flavor?
Green coffee is coffee that is brewed using green coffee beans. Coffee comes from the coffee plant and is green when it is harvested. The roasting process it undergoes during processing is what gives it its distinct brown color.
Although different, green coffee beans are very flavorful and have become very popular in recent years. This is because there has been a lot of research done on the health benefits of drinking green coffee and the results are very encouraging. This article will focus on how to make raw coffee - another name for green coffee - and the benefits you get out of it.
Preparing To Make a Cup of Green Coffee
Before we look at any raw coffee recipe, it is important to know how to grind green coffee beans at home. Because they are unroasted, green coffee beans are not as brittle as roasted beans. This means they are a lot harder to grind. You might have to use a different coffee grinder at maximum power to get the correct grind.
You should be aiming for a coarse or fine powder, with the grind particle size depending on your preferences and the grinder you have available.
Using the Green Coffee Powder
To make a cup of coffee using green coffee powder, you will need to grind 20 grams of coffee and have 300 milliliters of water available. Once you have ground the beans to your preferred size, divide the powder equally into two cups. Heat water to about 194 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, slowly pour equal amounts of water into both cups and wait. The recommended wait time is 10 minutes, after which you can strain the mixtures into a cup. If you would like to drink green coffee without any additives, you may be wondering “what does green coffee extract taste like?”
The taste of green coffee has been compared to the taste of green tea. It is also milder than drinking black coffee and might taste acidic to some people. The good news is that the taste is not too overwhelming and you can get used to it easily. If you do not like green coffee’s subtle flavors, you can always add some sugar or honey to the beverage.
Coffee made from green coffee beans also looks very different from what you are used to. The coffee is usually an amber color but can sometimes have a very strong green tint, depending on the types of coffee beans and brewing method used.
Using Whole Green Coffee Beans
Using whole green coffee beans results in a much stronger beverage and takes a lot more time. For this method, you will need 30 grams of green beans and 300 milliliters of water. If you want to make larger batches of coffee, you can use larger portions in the same proportions.
The first step is soaking the beans in water overnight. Take the mixture the next morning and bring it to a boil and then allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. For better consistency, stir the mixture often.
Once the 15 minutes are up, remove the mixture from the heat and allow for it to cool completely. Sieve the mixture or pass it through a filter to remove the coffee beans.
What you will be left with is a concentrated beverage that can be consumed immediately. However, this coffee is often too strong for a lot of people, so you can dilute it with some water and use it as a base for other types of coffee drinks.
If you prepared a larger batch of concentrated green coffee, you can dilute a small amount and store the rest in an airtight container in a fridge. Remember to consume the coffee within three days.
Boiling Coffee Beans
This method of making green coffee is not too popular but some swear by it. For this method, you need coffee beans and water in the ratio of 1:3. Start by bringing the water to a boil. Then, add the coffee beans and bring the temperature down. Keep stirring and let the coffee brew for about 10 minutes. Sieve and serve with some sugar or honey according to your preferences.
The main reason why many people do not like this method is that the coffee it produces is less flavorful than other types of coffee. This method is mainly used for those who drink green coffee for its health benefits rather than its taste.
Why Green Coffee is a Great Option
What most of us drink when we drink coffee is roasted coffee. During the roasting process, many of the chemicals in coffee are lost. These include antioxidants like chlorogenic acid, which helps fight a lot of health issues. Chlorogenic acid helps the body burn glucose and fat. Because of this, you end up with a lot of energy that you can use throughout the day or during an exercise routine. Chlorogenic acid also slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, which helps prevent glucose spikes.
Taking green coffee has also been shown to help improve your blood pressure. Green coffee also contains ingredients that dilate the blood vessels and lower the levels of cortisol in the body. Cortical is a stress hormone that can cause various serious conditions if left unchecked.
The antioxidants in green coffee also act as anti-aging agents. These antioxidants help the body neutralize many of the free radicals that cause signs of aging such as wrinkles. Antioxidants such as the polyphenols found in green coffee can also help with the regeneration of the skin, leading to it being more elastic, smoother, and looking more youthful.
These antioxidants have other benefits too, as they also are great for the detoxification process. Green coffee helps eliminate toxins, unwanted fat, and bad cholesterol from the body. The detoxifying process leads to a healthier liver, improves our health and metabolism.
Seeing all the benefits green coffee beans have, it is easy to see why nutritionists consider them to be a healthier alternative to the green beans most of us are used to.
Does Green Coffee Have any Side Effects?
While green coffee is an overwhelmingly healthy beverage, it does have some side effects. These side effects are due to the caffeine in green coffee. Drinking a moderate amount of black or green coffee is tolerable for most people and it leads to increased energy levels, better concentration, and helps with mood stabilization. However, excess amounts of coffee lead to the intake of massive amounts of caffeine.
The most common side effect of drinking too much green coffee is jitters and anxiety. Also, drinking coffee can cause sleeplessness and so it is best to avoid drinking coffee after 2 PM. If you want to see the most benefits from drinking green coffee, experts advise that the best time to drink it is in the morning after breakfast.
Lastly, drinking too much green coffee can cause an increase in blood pressure. For most people, this spike dissipates after a short period. However, if you drink coffee regularly and have sustained high blood pressure, it is always a good idea to talk to a physician so they can check you out.
How Much Green Coffee Is Safe To Drink?
The amount of green coffee you should take depends on the amount of caffeine in the coffee. However, the recommended amount is 1-2 full cups of green coffee per day. Exceeding this amount will lead to the side effects associated with taking too much caffeine, as discussed above.
Experimentation
The best thing about green coffee is that there is a lot of room for experimentation. For example, you could try different types of green coffee beans or green coffee beans from different regions. You can also try different coffee beans or water amounts to see what works best for you.
Comparing green coffee bean vs coffee, green coffee is a little restricted in the number of recipes you can use it in but it still produces a delicious cup of coffee. Also, you can use the concentrated green coffee from the second brewing method to make various types of coffee drinks according to your preferences.
There are also so many flavors and sweeteners you can add to make your green coffee taste better. The only caveat is that you should investigate each one of them to ensure you do not end up consuming too much sugar.
Green coffee can be a great substitute for roasted coffee, especially for those who are looking to get the most out of their coffee. Just ensure that you wash the coffee beans thoroughly before you start and let the coffee brew for the right amount of time. You can experiment with a few flavors too if you find the taste of green coffee beans too overwhelming.
About the author
Johan Hedlund
I´m living in Karlstad, Sweden with my family. Been working the last 25 years with several start ups in the tech industry. Coffee has been an integral part, both professionally and privately. Eager to learn new things and happy to be a member of the era of we community.
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