New Coffee Trend: Add a Pinch of Salt

A new coffee trend is quickly gaining popularity, making your morning cup easier—and it doesn’t require sugar or cream.

This latest craze involves something quite simple: just a pinch of salt. Many users have claimed that adding salt can reduce bitterness and enhance sweetness in a regular cup of coffee. There are a few ways people suggest trying this out, like sprinkling salt directly on the coffee grounds before brewing, mixing salt water, or stirring a little salt into the finished cup.

Experts note that salt can do more than just enhance the flavor of food; when used in moderation, it can create a more balanced taste. A small amount of salt is said to interact with taste receptors, helping to reduce bitterness without the cloying sweetness of sugar or cream.

Research supports these claims, showing that sodium can lessen bitterness from certain compounds, heightening the perception of sweetness, and generally improving flavor balance overall.

Ed McCormick, a food science consultant, explains that sodium ions can inhibit bitter compounds, particularly in darker coffee roasts. He emphasizes that understanding the science of taste is essential to enjoying food without the need for added sugar.

Heather Perry, a two-time U.S. barista champion, shares that it doesn’t take much salt to signal to the brain that a coffee is less bitter. However, she warns against overwhelming flavors: “You don’t want it to taste like salty coffee.” For those using high-quality beans, she adds that the beans’ inherent flavors shouldn’t be masked either.

Ultimately, the way you enjoy your coffee is subjective. Perry concludes that there isn’t really a wrong approach as long as it tastes good to you.

Some TikTokers even claim that adding salt might keep you hydrated, yet health experts are skeptical about those benefits. Janelle Bober, a dietitian, points out that the diuretic effect of coffee is stronger, so adding salt doesn’t really counteract that. She mentions that, though a pinch probably won’t alter one’s sodium intake noticeably, those with health issues related to salt should be cautious.

Bober adds that salt can enhance flavor without adding calories, making it a suitable alternative for those looking to cut down on sugar or fat.

This idea isn’t entirely new, though. Countries like Turkey and Vietnam have long used salt in coffee, integrating it into their cultural practices. In fact, cafes in Taiwan popularized a drink known as “sea salt coffee.” McCormick notes that salting coffee is less about trends and more about revisiting culinary techniques.

In high-end cafes, the practice is also becoming prominent. For instance, Maman, a New York café known for its Salted Tahini Latte, emphasizes that salt can elevate both savory and sweet flavors in drinks.

As this trend continues to pick up steam, it seems salt’s culinary role might just be timeless.