Dedicated coffee connoisseurs will already know about the benefits of buying green coffee beans, and roasting them at home for the maximum coffee flavour. Did you know, though, that unroasted green coffee beans could be good for you?
Health food shops and online retailers sell green coffee bean extract, which has strong antioxidant properties, similar to those found in other natural substances such as
green tea and grape seed extract. The coffee beans contain polyphenols, which act as good antioxidants, helping to reduce free oxygen radicals in the body. There’s also some evidence that green coffee extract can act as an appetite suppressant and metablism booster, aiding weight loss when used in conjuction with lifestyle changes such as increased exercise.
Although you can buy green coffee bean extract, the advent to easily available green coffee beans mean that it’s easy to make your own extract at home.
It’s best to use distilled water, so that you don’t introduce any chemicals into the mixture. Put 60g of good quality green coffee beans and 350ml of water in a saucepan, and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn down the heat, and let it simmer for 15 – 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and let it stand for an hour before seiving out the beans. The stronger the beans you use and the longer you let them steep, the greater the strength of the extract.
Start by taking one tablespoon of extract in the morning, and another in the evening, and build up to doubling that amount. Mix in a little honey or sugar if you like, or mix the extract with fruit juice or a smoothie. Green bean coffee extract is a natural supplement with few known side effects, but if you experience any problems then discontinue use.
To browse our range of green coffee beans online, please visit our coffee ingredients page.