If you are a coffee lover too, you probably have your own preferences and rituals when it comes to brewing and drinking your favorite beverage. You may like it black like me, or with milk, with sugar, with cream, or with some other flavoring. But have you ever tried adding salt to your coffee?
Yes, you heard that right. Salt. The same stuff you sprinkle on your fries, popcorn, and eggs. Some people swear by this technique, claiming that it enhances the flavor, reduces the bitterness, and even has some health benefits. But is it true? Can you put salt in coffee and is it any good?
In this post, we will explore the history, science, and methods of putting salt in coffee. I will also answer some frequently asked questions about this topic and give you some tips on how to make your own salted coffee at home. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of why some people put salt in coffee before brewing and whether you should try it yourself.
In this blog post we will look at the following:
Putting salt on coffee – the history
Adding salt to coffee is not a new or trendy idea. In fact, it has been done for centuries in different cultures around the world. Here are some examples of how salt has been used in coffee traditions:
If you do not like to mix salt and coffee yourself, there are options to buy. Check one example in my Barista Warrior Salted Coffee Review: A Unique and Delicious Brew
Salt coffee tradition
So, why put salt in coffee? And who started it? One of the most common reasons for adding salt to coffee is to mask the bitterness and acidity of low-quality beans or water.
This is especially true in areas where fresh and clean water is scarce or expensive, such as coastal regions or deserts. By adding salt, people can make their coffee more palatable and enjoyable.
For instance, in Ethiopia, where coffee originated, some people add a pinch of salt to their coffee cups before drinking. This is said to balance the flavor and bring out the sweetness of the beans.
In Mongolia, where fresh water is hard to come by, people brew their coffee with salty milk from yaks or camels. This gives their coffee a creamy and savory taste that is unique to their culture.
In Siberia, where the winters are long and harsh, people add salt to their coffee to prevent it from freezing. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, so adding it to hot coffee helps it stay liquid longer. This way, people can enjoy a warm drink even in sub-zero temperatures.
Feel free to save the image to find this post later!
Brewing coffee outside while camping? Look at this battery power coffee maker post.
Salt coffee Turkish tradition
Another reason for adding salt to coffee is to follow a cultural or religious tradition. In some countries, salt is considered a symbol of hospitality, friendship, or loyalty. By adding salt to coffee, people show respect and honor to their guests or hosts.
For example, in Turkey, there is a tradition of serving salty coffee to potential suitors or in-laws. The bride-to-be prepares coffee with salt for her future husband and his family as a test of their love and commitment. If they drink the salty coffee without complaining, it means they are sincere and worthy of her hand in marriage.
In some parts of the Middle East, salt is also added to coffee as a sign of friendship or reconciliation. If two people have a dispute or a misunderstanding, they can offer each other salty coffee as a gesture of peace and forgiveness.
Vietnamese salt coffee
A third reason for adding salt to coffee is to create a new and exciting flavor combination. Some people like to experiment with different ingredients and methods to enhance their coffee experience. Salt can be used as a contrast or a complement to other flavors in coffee.
For example, in Vietnam, there is a popular drink called sea salt coffee (ca phe muoi). It consists of iced black coffee topped with whipped cream and sea salt. The sea salt adds a subtle salty note that balances the bitterness of the coffee and the sweetness of the cream. It also creates a smooth and frothy texture that makes the drink more refreshing and satisfying.
Sea salt coffee was inspired by a Taiwanese invention called sea salt tea (xian cha), which uses tea instead of coffee. It was introduced to Vietnam by Taiwanese immigrants in the 1990s and quickly became a hit among young people who love trying new things.
You can see more examples of some of the best coffee brands in Vietnam in my post here.
Why put salt in coffee grounds – the black coffee with salt benefits
So far, we have seen how salt can be added to coffee after brewing, either in the cup or on top of the drink. But what about adding salt to coffee grounds before brewing? Does it make any difference?
Some people claim that adding salt to coffee grounds can improve the flavor and quality of the coffee. I had to try it too. And yes, it does give another taste. The ones that make it regularly argue that salt can do the following things in the list under.
Black coffee with salt benefits list:
- Reduce the bitterness and acidity of the coffee. Salt can neutralize some of the acidic compounds in coffee that cause bitterness and sourness. This can make the coffee smoother and more balanced.
- Enhance the aroma and sweetness of the coffee. Salt can stimulate the olfactory receptors in the nose and mouth, which can increase the perception of aroma and sweetness. This can make the coffee more fragrant and flavorful.
- Extract more flavor from the coffee beans. Salt can act as a catalyst that helps dissolve and release more soluble substances from the coffee beans. This can make the coffee richer and more complex.
However, not everyone agrees with these claims. Some people say that adding salt to coffee grounds can ruin the taste and quality of the coffee. They argue that salt can do the following things:
- Mask or alter the natural flavor of the coffee. Salt can overpower or change the original taste of the coffee beans, which may not be desirable for some people. Some people prefer to enjoy the coffee as it is, without any additives or modifications.
- Reduce the freshness and shelf life of the coffee. Salt can absorb moisture and cause oxidation, which can degrade the quality and freshness of the coffee beans. This can make the coffee stale and dull.
- Affect the brewing process and equipment. Salt can interfere with the water temperature, pressure, and flow, which can affect the extraction and brewing of the coffee. Salt can also corrode or damage some parts of the brewing equipment, such as metal filters or boilers.
Therefore, whether adding salt to coffee grounds is a good or bad idea depends on personal preference and experimentation. Some people may like it, some people may hate it, and some people may not notice any difference at all.
I found it just OK.
Who puts salt in coffee?
If you are curious about who puts salt in coffee grounds, here are some other examples of people who do it:
- People who live in hard water areas. Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can affect the taste and quality of the coffee, making it bitter, flat, or chalky. By adding salt to coffee grounds, some people try to counteract these effects and improve their coffee experience.
- People who use cheap or old coffee beans. Cheap or old coffee beans may have lower quality or freshness, which can result in poor flavor and aroma. By adding salt to coffee grounds, some people try to enhance or mask these defects and make their coffee more drinkable. I guess, everyone will understand I am not in this category. For two reasons, I do not buy cheap coffee nor do I have the bag for long before it’s empty.
- People who like to experiment with different flavors. Some people like to try new things and see how they affect their coffee experience. By adding salt to coffee grounds, some people try to create new and interesting flavor combinations or sensations.
Salt in coffee to lose weight
Another reason why some people put salt in coffee grounds is to lose weight. This may sound strange, but there is some logic behind it.
Salt can increase thirst, which can make people drink more water. Water can help flush out toxins, boost metabolism, and suppress appetite. Therefore, by drinking more water, people may be able to lose weight.
However, this method is not recommended by experts or health professionals. Adding too much salt to anything can have negative consequences for health, such as raising blood pressure, causing dehydration, or damaging kidneys.
Therefore, if you want to lose weight, you should consult your doctor or nutritionist first and follow a balanced diet and exercise plan instead of relying on salted coffee.
How to make salted coffee
If you want to try adding salt to your coffee after reading this post, here are some tips on how to do it:
- Use good-quality water and beans. As I mentioned before, one of the main reasons for adding salt to coffee is to improve low-quality water or beans. However, if you use good-quality water and beans, you may not need to add any salt at all. You may also enjoy your coffee more without any additives.
- Use sea salt or kosher salt instead of table salt. Sea salt or kosher salt has larger crystals and fewer additives than table salt, which can give a better flavor and texture to your coffee. Table salt may be too fine or too salty for your coffee.
- Use a small amount of salt. You don’t need to add a lot of salt to your coffee to notice a difference. A pinch or a dash is enough for most people. You can always add more later if you want, but you can’t take it out once you put it in. The featured image for this post on why put salt in coffee gives you a good idea.
- Experiment with different ratios and methods. There is no one right way to add salt to your coffee. You may prefer to add it to the grounds, to the cup, or to the drink. You may also prefer to add it before or after brewing, or before or after adding milk or sugar. You may also like to try different types of salt, such as Himalayan pink salt, black salt, or flavored salt. The best way to find out what works for you is to experiment and have fun.
How to make sea salt coffee
If you want to try making sea salt coffee, the Vietnamese drink we mentioned earlier, here are some steps on how to do it:
- Brew a strong cup of black coffee. You can use any method you like, such as drip, French press, or espresso. You can also use any type of coffee beans you like, but dark roast may work better for this drink.
- Whip some heavy cream with some sea salt. You can use an electric mixer, a whisk, or a frother to whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. You can also add some sugar or vanilla extract if you want to sweeten or flavor the cream. The amount of sea salt you use depends on your taste, but a good starting point is about 1/4 teaspoon per cup of cream.
- Pour the coffee over ice in a tall glass. You can use as much or as little ice as you like, depending on how cold you want your drink.
- Spoon the whipped cream on top of the coffee. You can use as much or as little cream as you like, depending on how creamy you want your drink.
- Enjoy your sea salt coffee. You can stir the drink with a straw or a spoon to mix the cream and the coffee, or you can sip it layer by layer to enjoy the contrast between the salty and sweet.
Conclusion – Why put salt in coffee before brewing
In conclusion, putting salt in coffee before brewing is a practice that has been done for various reasons and in various ways by different people around the world. Some people do it to improve the taste and quality of their coffee, some people do it to follow a tradition or a ritual, and some people do it to create a new and exciting flavor combination.
Whether you should put salt in coffee before brewing depends on your personal preference and experimentation. You may like it, you may hate it, or you may not notice any difference at all. The best way to find out is to try it yourself and see how it affects your coffee experience.
We hope this post has given you some insight and inspiration on why put salt in coffee and how you can make your own salted coffee at home. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And if you liked this post, please share it with your friends and family who love coffee as much as you do.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about why put salt in coffee:
Is there salt in coffee?
There is no salt in coffee naturally, unless you add it yourself. However, some types of water or beans may contain traces of minerals or chemicals that can affect the taste and quality of the coffee.
What is salt the coffee pot?
Salt the coffee pot is an expression that means to sabotage something or someone. It comes from the idea that adding salt to a coffee pot can ruin the flavor and quality of the coffee for everyone who drinks from it.
Salt in coffee how much?
The amount of salt you add to your coffee depends on your taste and preference. A general rule of thumb is to use a pinch or a dash per cup of coffee. You can always adjust it later if you want more or less.
Is salt good in coffee?
Some people say that salt is good in coffee because it can reduce the bitterness and acidity, enhance the aroma and sweetness, and extract more flavor from the beans. However, some people say that salt is bad in coffee because it can mask or alter the natural flavor, reduce the freshness and shelf life, and affect the brewing process and equipment. Whether salt is good or bad in coffee depends on personal preference and experimentation.
Does salt in coffee reduce acid?
Some people say that salt in coffee can reduce acid because it can neutralize some of the acidic compounds in coffee that cause bitterness and sourness. However, this effect may be minimal or negligible for most people. If you have acid reflux or other digestive issues, adding salt to your coffee may not help much. You may be better off using other methods to reduce acid in your coffee, such as using cold brew, dark roast, or low-acid beans.