What are oily coffee beans? Where do the fats come from, and are they harmful?
A perfectly brewed cup of coffee is like a work of art for your senses, and the quality of the beans plays a crucial role. But have you ever heard of oily coffee beans? These types of coffee beans can significantly affect your coffee experience.
Oils and fats in coffee beans
Fatty coffee beans, as the name suggests, contain more fat than usual or desired. This fat is a natural element that results from the growth process of the beans and is especially visible after roasting: beans that have a shiny, greasy appearance; this is often accompanied by a dark, oily coating, which is sometimes mistaken for a sign of freshness. This oily layer may give the beans an apparent freshness, but there is more to this shiny appearance.
While some think this oily coating indicates premium coffee, it can negatively impact your coffee experience. What’s up with that? It has to do with the complex interaction between these oils and the taste of your coffee. Too much fat can disrupt the balance of aromas, resulting in a coffee that doesn’t taste as pleasant as you might expect. The overwhelming presence of fats can overpower other flavors and obscure the nuances of the coffee.
But there are other things you should keep an eye on. The impact of fatty beans goes beyond just the taste. If you use these beans in your coffee machine, they can cause problems over time. The excess grease can build up in your machine’s grinder, brew group, and other parts, leading to blockages, reduced performance, and even damage to your beloved coffee machine. It’s like a creeping problem that undermines your coffee experience and the durability of your device.
How do you recognize oily coffee beans?
Some signs that may indicate the presence of oily beans:
- Dark, Oily Coating: Another sign of oily beans is the presence of a shiny, dark, oily coating on the surface; this can be especially noticeable if the beans are exposed to light. This coating can sometimes be incorrectly associated with freshness, but it can indicate excess released fat.
- Heavier beans: Fatty beans may feel slightly heavier than lower-fat beans because fat adds more bulk to the beans. When you hold a handful of beans, pay attention to the weight.
- Overshadowed aromas: The aromas and flavors can sometimes be less pronounced if you brew a cup of coffee with fatty beans. The excess fat can obscure other flavor nuances and result in a less balanced cup of coffee.
- Clogged coffee machine: If you notice your coffee machine is regularly clogged, this could be a sign of using oily beans. The excess grease can build up in the grinder and other parts of the device, leading to reduced performance and blockages.
Where does this fat come from?
The fat in coffee beans is a natural part of the growing process. These fat reserves act as a natural source of energy for the coffee beans, laying the foundation for their development and eventual maturation. Just as a seed in the soil must draw on its stored reserves to germinate and grow, coffee beans use their fats to grow and mature while hanging on the coffee plant.
When the moment of roasting arrives, the coffee beans are subjected to intense heat. As the beans are roasted, the stored moisture begins to evaporate and is released as water vapor. This process is essential to transform the beans from their raw state into the fragrant, flavorful coffee beans we know and cherish.
As the beans are roasted, the stored fat in the beans may begin to melt and move to the surface. This phenomenon creates the shiny, oily layer sometimes seen on coffee beans after roasting. While a subtle hint of oil on the surface can be a sign of freshness, an excessive presence of grease can lead to what is known as greasy coffee beans.
It is important to note that some fat is a natural and normal characteristic of coffee beans. It can even contribute to the full flavor and complexity of the coffee. However, as with many things, excess fat is not always desirable. Too much fat can disrupt the taste balance and cause problems in coffee machines, such as the blockages mentioned above and reduced performance.
Which coffee beans are not greasy?
Not all coffee beans are susceptible to the fat problem. Arabica beans tend to have less fat than Robusta beans because they grow more slowly and have a lower concentration of oils. This does not mean that Robusta are automatically oily beans. The fatness of the coffee beans depends on:
- The freshness of the beans: As time passes after roasting coffee, the chance of the fats being released increases; this explains why coffee beans with a higher fat content can (often) be found in supermarkets. These beans are often no longer fresh and have been sitting on shelves for quite some time, losing their freshness.
- Roasting of the beans: Coffee beans that have been roasted longer release more oils, resulting in a fattier coffee. Dark-roasted coffee is generally fattier than lighter roasts.
Are oily coffee beans bad for you?
No, oily coffee beans are not bad for you. As the name suggests, coffee beans contain more fat, but you don’t have to worry about the amount of fat. If there are any differences between oily and dry coffee beans, these will be negligible in milligrams.
Greasy coffee beans in your coffee machine
Oily coffee beans can also have a negative impact on your coffee machine. The excess grease and oils can build up in the grinder and brewing mechanism, causing blockages and problems; this can lead to reduced performance of your coffee machine and even damage in the long term.
So, it is not only the quality of your coffee that is at stake but also the health of your beloved machine. An occasional dark roast is, of course, no problem at all, but keep in mind that the machine and your taste buds will appreciate an extra cleaning to remove the fat.
The solution for greasy coffee beans
Fortunately, we offer a solution to the greasy coffee bean dilemma. Coffee beans without any fatness can never be guaranteed to be 100% as this is inherent to the natural growth process of the coffee bean. Still, our Cafendo coffee beans are carefully selected and roasted to ensure optimal fat content. We understand the impact of fat on both the taste of your cup of coffee and the performance of your machine, which is why we strive for a perfect balance. Our beans are less prone to grease build-up, resulting in a cleaner, more flavorful cup of coffee and a healthier coffee machine. Therefore, switch from greasy coffee beans from the supermarket to the highest quality coffee beans from Cafendo!
