SALT IN COFFEE: WHY YOU SHOULD ADD A PINCH

I’ll explain why and how you should add salt to your coffee drink.

Photo: Jovana Durovic

Many people like to add a little bit of sugar or cream to their cup of coffee. But did you know that some people add salt instead? Salted coffee is an old trick that recently became a trend again, thanks to a few proven benefits. 

Don’t worry, I promise it won’t taste salty in this article!

The History of Salted Coffee

There are many records of different cultures salting their coffee. The practice is an integral part of the coffee-making tradition of Hungary, Scandinavian countries, Siberia, Turkey, etc.

There are coastal places where salty seawater mixes with fresh water from the rivers. Here, it was normal for coffee drinkers to use slightly salty water while preparing their coffee (1).

Also, there are various stories about people in the army adding salt to make the low-quality instant coffee taste less bitter.

The “Alton Brown Trick”

More recently, food science expert Alton Brown suggested in a 2009 episode of his show that adding a pinch of salt to coffee grounds before brewing can neutralize the bitterness of the coffee (2).

Most of the mainstream media picked this up, calling it the “Alton Brown coffee trick.” It quickly sparked the curiosity of coffee lovers around the globe who began experimenting with putting salt in coffee.

For those of you who prefer visual explanations, here’s our fun animated video on the topic:

How To Add Salt To Coffee

The Alton Brown method is to add salt to coffee grounds prior to brewing. He suggests sprinkling a quarter teaspoon of salt over 12 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee in a filter, then brewing with 36 ounces of water – enough for six servings.

Some coffee experts suggest adding salt directly to already brewed coffee instead, which allows you to dial in the correct dose. Take a sip of your coffee. Does it taste bitter? Try adding a pinch of salt and see how the flavor improves. Keep repeating until it tastes perfect.

What Kind Of Salt Is Good For Coffee?

It is best to use a non-iodized salt for coffee, such as kosher salt, sea salt, or Himalayan salt. Iodized salts like table salt can add unwanted flavors, and they don’t dissolve as well in hot water.

What Does Salt In Your Coffee Do?

The addition of salt to coffee, either before or after the brewing process, minimizes bitter flavors. Bitter coffee can happen for several reasons, including a very dark roast, over-extraction, old beans, or using stale water to make coffee. Amazingly, because of the way salt interacts with your tongue, it solves the problem of bitter coffee no matter what the cause!

How does salt in coffee take out the bitterness?

It is a scientific fact that the sodium ions in salt neutralize bitterness (3). This happens because they occupy the salt receptors of your taste buds, blocking their perception of bitterness. 

The tiny amount of salt isn’t changing the flavor of the coffee itself, which is a good thing. No one wants salty coffee. Instead, the salt content changes the way your tongue perceives flavors.

Salt added to coffee is actually more effective at reducing the bitter taste than sugar because sugar only masks it, whereas salt neutralizes it completely.

Is Salt In Coffee Good For You?

Black coffee has many well-documented health benefits due to its caffeine content, anti-oxidants, and important nutrients like magnesium. When consumed in moderation, coffee lowers the likelihood of diseases like type-2 diabetes, Parkinson’s, heart disease, and certain cancers (4).

Regular coffee consumption also improves energy, focus, and athletic performance. It’s a popular and safe supplement for athletes and people trying to lose weight.

However, many of these benefits are reduced if you fill your coffee with sweeteners, syrups, and cream. You may gain weight or experience health complications as a result of high sugar intake. 

Salt in coffee isn’t inherently good for you; rather, it allows you to reduce the bitterness of your coffee beverages without resorting to additives that increase its fat, sugar, or calorie content. 

Could Salt In Coffee Be Bad For You?

There aren’t any major health downsides to drinking salted drip coffee. It’s the same as adding a dash of salt to your morning eggs.

The only risk is that putting salt in your coffee is naturally going to increase your overall sodium intake. You should tread carefully if you already consume a lot of salt, are hypersensitive to sodium, or have a pre-existing condition like high blood pressure (5).

Too much salt in your diet can increase blood pressure, up your risk of heart disease and stroke, and lead to inflammation of the stomach lining. But these outcomes require significant salt intake – far more than a few grains in your coffee.

Now that we’ve talked about mixing salt and coffee, here are other things you can mix with coffee:

• Honey and Coffee
• Butter and Coffee
• Coffee and Lemon

Final Thoughts

Adding salt to your coffee to improve flavor seems counterintuitive, but it’s an effective way of reducing bitterness in your coffee – backed by science! If you’ve been doctoring your morning cup with spoonfuls of sugar, it might be time to give salt a try.

Just remember that the very best way to avoid bitterness in coffee is to buy high quality coffee beans and brew them properly using fresh water. Hacks are great, but not needing a hack is even better.