Salt is definitely not the first thing on your mind when you wake up to brew your morning pot.

This is us telling you to make it the first thing you think about going forward. And we will explain why.

How Salt Makes Coffee Taste Better

The truth is that suggesting salt in place of the usual coffee accompaniments of milk, sugar, creamers or syrups is weird. However, there is scientific data that shows the fact that salt indeed neutralizes the bitter coffee taste. It does a great job of allowing you to enjoy your coffee’s natural sweetness. This way, you really do not need sugar or any kind of creamer.

You see, coffee is bitter because of its chemical makeup. There is caffeine, as well as chlorogenic acid lactones and phenylindanes, which are the main compounds that cause coffee to be bitter.

These compounds become pronounced in your coffee during the roasting or brewing process. In essence, your coffee tastes more bitter the longer it is roasted or is brewed. These compounds also come forth if you do not grind your beans well.

This is where science gets interesting.

When you add salt to your food and drink, it blocks your tongue from recognizing the bitter taste and that’s the same thing with coffee too.

Your coffee tastes better without sugar or creamer. Your cup could even taste sweeter, depending on how well brewed it is. This is because the other flavors will stand out more.

We can safely state that salt in coffee works on the person rather than on the coffee. So, instead of adding more sugar, try salt.

This does not mean that salt can take the place of sugar in coffee. It is just a hack to help make the cup a bit more pleasant tasting.

How Much Salt Should You Add?

This, right here, is the tricky part.

Many people and cultures have approached this in different ways. Some people add salt to the grounds just before brewing, while some add it to the finished cup. Some people roast the beans with salt.

Different measurements have also been suggested, ranging from 0.5 grams of salt per liter of brewed coffee to 0.15 grams of salt per 100 grams of brewed coffee.

So, if you would really love to enjoy a stress-free cup of coffee try adding salt. Stir, then taste the cup. Repeat this until you find the “sweet spot”.

It is important that you watch your salt intake. Salt, made up of sodium, is vital for the human body’s daily functions, yet troublesome when consumed excessively.

The Bottom Line: Salt in Coffee Works

If you have a harsh-tasting beans or grounds, this could help you enjoy it a little more. Salt is especially useful for very dark or over-extracted coffee. It is not advisable to use salt for specialty coffee because it can mask the other flavors.

If your grounds or beans are better, you might not need salt. However, if you want to enjoy your coffee more, then salt is definitely a great option to try out.