Most individuals opt for adding sweetness and cream to their coffee, such as a hint of sugar or hazelnut syrup or a bit of cow's milk, to smooth out the harsh, bitter taste. Over time, coffee enthusiasts pick up quirky tips and techniques for achieving the most delicious coffee.
One of these techniques has been circulating on social media in which coffee lovers would add an ingredient commonly used to flavor meals: salt. This "hack" of adding a pinch of salt to your coffee can surprisingly eliminate its bitter taste, even though it may seem unusual.
Salt on Coffee? Trending Social Media Hack Removes Bitterness, Brings Out Lost Flavor to a Cup of Caffeine
Science Behind Adding Salt to Coffee
The concept of adding salt to coffee may seem strange, but it has a scientific basis. For decades, scientists have known that sodium chloride, or table salt, is effective at suppressing bitterness in coffee and other foods. According to Science Alert, this ability is attributed to salt's popularity as a cooking ingredient throughout history, allowing other flavors to shine through by quashing bitterness.
The tongue map theory of taste, which suggested different areas of the tongue were responsible for specific tastes, has been debunked. However, different receptors are still known to be sensitive to specific flavors. The salt receptor, ENaC, is responsible for detecting saltiness, while the bitter taste receptors belong to the family of TAS2Rs.
Research from 1995 showed that salt is effective at masking bitterness, making mixtures taste sweeter and less bitter. However, salt's suppression does not go both ways, as bitter compounds do not suppress the salt flavor.
While it is not clear how this suppression works, research on mice in 2013 found that high concentrations of salt can trigger sour and bitter receptors, leading to an unpleasant taste.
Although too much salt can be dangerous, a little can go a long way. Salting was a popular technique for reducing the bitterness of eggplants and Brussels sprouts.
Therefore, it may be worth experimenting with a pinch of salt in burnt coffee due to over-extraction, especially for those who prefer their coffee without sweetness or milk. Start with a small pinch and adjust accordingly, as everyone's taste perception varies.
READ ALSO: Drinking 3 to 4 Cups of Coffee a Day Could Cut Risk of Liver Cancer, Study Says
What Makes Coffee Bitter?
Coffee's bitterness could be from when it is roasted in preparation for brewing. But the website ESPRO has listed three main reasons for what makes coffee bitter:
1. Problems with Extraction:
Brewing coffee involves extracting flavors from the beans in which the extraction process involves the dissolving of acids, oils, sugars, and other flavors. However, incorrect extraction can result in over-extracted or under-extracted coffee, while over-extracted coffee tastes bitter and harsh.
2. Issues with Over-roasted Beans:
Roasting coffee requires heat, air, and rotation to transform green beans. Over-roasting is when the process goes too far and results in dark, bitter beans. Dark roasts are often used to cover up imperfections in lower-quality coffee. Although some people enjoy dark roasts, others find them too bitter
3. Concerns about Water Quality and Temperature:
Coffee has two ingredients, water, and beans. Poor water quality can negatively impact the taste of coffee. For instance, harsh minerals and chemicals in poor-quality water alter the flavors of coffee. Hard water highlights bitter notes in coffee, while the temperature of the water used to brew coffee is also critical because water that is too hot will result in burnt, bitter coffee.
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