Tag: Coffee bitterness

According to coffee experts, adding just a tiny pinch of salt to your coffee is a long-standing practice in many cultures and can effectively reduce bitterness. This surprising but effective technique leverages basic science to fundamentally alter how your taste buds perceive coffee, revealing a smoother, more balanced brew. Exploring what is the magic of salt in coffee involves a fascinating journey into flavor chemistry.

Approximately 25% of the population are classified as supertasters, a genetic trait that causes them to experience certain flavors with much greater intensity than others, especially bitterness. This heightened sensitivity is often linked to a specific gene variation and a denser concentration of taste buds on the tongue. While it may sound like a superpower, it frequently leads to strong food aversions and picky eating habits.

While adding salt to coffee has recently gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, its origins are anything but new. Ancient traditions from cultures in Scandinavia, Turkey, and Hungary have long used a pinch of salt to improve their brew. The viral question, "Is salt in coffee a new trend?" is therefore a mix of modern hype and historical practice.

While some studies mention the presence of trace amounts of quinine, coffee is not considered high in quinine and it is not the primary cause of its bitterness. The persistent myth that coffee contains significant quinine is often due to a misunderstanding of the complex chemical compounds within coffee beans and how they change during roasting and brewing.

According to Skills Training College, tannins in brewed coffee are about half the concentration of those in tea, yet they remain a key contributor to coffee's bitter taste and dry, astringent mouthfeel. Knowing **how to neutralize tannins in coffee** is essential for achieving a smoother, more enjoyable brew without sacrificing its flavor or beneficial compounds. This guide explores various methods to combat bitterness and refine your daily coffee ritual.