Have you ever thought about salting your coffee, rather than sweetening it? The idea seems completely preposterous and yet it would be much less stupid than one might think. Do not see any particular benefits for health, figure or morale, adding a small pinch of salt to your coffee would in fact simply improve its taste and make it less bitter. Nothing surprising when the primary function of salt is precisely to be a flavor enhancer. This is why we find it as much in savory recipes as in sweet preparations.
Salting your coffee, a common practice?
Although it is uncommon in France, in other countries around the world, it has always been common to salt your coffee, as reported The Internet user. This is the case in Vietnam for example, but also in Sweden. Science has also taken up this question, namely “should you salt your coffee or not?” by conducting a study on this subject. Published by the University of Oxford in 1995, it revealed that salt was indeed particularly “effective in masking the bitter taste”. The reason ? “When salt is added to a mixture of sweet and bitter compounds, it gives it a predominantly caramel flavor.”
Several experts following this report explained the why and how, like the English barista James Hoffman : “Our tongue has taste receptors that detect sodium ions and allow us to sense salty taste. This salinity also amplifies sweetness and reduces bitterness, which is why adding a pinch of salt can greatly improve the flavor of coffee.”.
Is salt better than sugar?
Another advantage of using salt to enhance the taste of your coffee is that it will necessarily help limit the amount of sugar, which we can sometimes use to sweeten our coffee. Regarding the type of salt that can be used, there are no real rules, it can be a relatively common table salt as well as a more refined salt like that of the Himalayas.
It is important to note, however, that adding salt to coffee, as with sugar, should be done sparingly, as too much can make the coffee salty and unpleasant in taste. Also, excessive sodium consumption can ultimately prove dangerous for your health.
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Source: Grazia
Caroline Perkins is a renowned journalist in the field of fashion and entertainment. She currently works as a writer at 247 news updates. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for all things fashion and entertainment, Caroline’s writing provides readers with in-depth analysis and unique perspectives on the latest developments in the field.
