Salt in Coffee Hype: Why Add Salt to Coffee?
In 2009, Alton Brown, a famous food science expert, suggested using salt in coffee grounds to reduce bitterness. He suggests adding two spoons of coffee and half a spoon of kosher salt in each cup for a smooth and less bitter caffeine punch.
When Alton Brown introduced this idea, the history researchers came forward to say hi. It was revealed that various seafaring Asian and European people traditionally used salt than modern-day alternatives, such as sugar, creamers, and syrups. Most of these origins have been seen in Orient, including China, and some parts of North Europe.
The Science
Salt in coffee is not a recent trend. It has been around for a long time. In some countries, it is a part of the culture, especially in areas where alkaline water streams are used for water supply.
The science behind the effect of salt on flavor is still under discussion. A commonly accepted research is that sodium ions (Na+) overtake the bitter flavor of coffee, but does not actually cut it.
Breslin and Beauchamp, 1995 research states that sodium-containing compounds suppress the bitter taste by registering higher than the bitter notes. Other sodium-containing compounds, that have been used to reduce bitterness in the food industry, include magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and quinine hydrochloride.
Another research by Breslin and Beauchamp, 1997 includes a thoughtful experiment. Two sugar solutions were prepared, one with urea and another without urea. When sodium acetate (mildly salty in nature) was added to both solutions, it enhanced the sweetness of the sugar solution with urea but did not affect the sugar solution without urea. According to the researchers, the suppressed bitterness of urea increased the sweetness of sugar before and after tasting.
Can You Use Salt in Coffee to Remove Bitterness?
Salt registers its salty notes above the bitter notes of coffee, which helps suppress the bitterness.
Will your cup taste less bitter? Yes. People have been adding salt to coffee to make it less bitter for ages. Some people have a sensitive palate, and they may still feel their cup bitter.
If you are wondering how bitterness is affected, the answer is the neutralization process. Sodium suppresses the bitterness of caffeine by registering higher taste notes and leaves you with a less bitter and less acidic cup.
Does Salt Cut the Acid in Coffee?
Light and medium roasts are acidic types of coffee. Arabica gives you a perfect cup of coffee with much less acidity. However, your coffee options should not be limited. The question is, does salted coffee reduce acidity?
Many people have experienced low acidity, reduced acid reflux, and improved GERD just by adding a pinch of salt in coffee. However, there are not much scientific data to back this claim.
Does Salt Make Coffee Fresher?
The simple answer is, no. It only suppresses the bitterness of caffeine, which can be done with other alternatives too. However, the shape of salt apparently has an effect on the overall flavor of your cup.
Bigger flakes dissolve at a different rate than coffee when added before brewing. However, if you grind the salt with the beans, the taste could be different.
Either way, the taste of your cup would be just different, less bitter, and less acidic. It would not be fresher than the regular coffee.
The smell of coffee also remains unchanged. However, it definitely affects the bitterness.
Should You Put Salt in Coffee Grounds before Brewing
When do you put salt in coffee? The debate is still hot, but I would go with the science. Salt does not have any essential oils that need to be released during the brewing process as we do with the beans while grinding. However, salt should mix with water for rich flavor. The right time is to put salt right before adding water.
What Type of Salt to Use in Coffee?
The Breslin and Beauchamp, 1995 study tells that the size of salt used in coffee can change your overall experience of your favorite cup.
Salts with bigger flakes tend to dissolve slower than table salt. When you put salt in coffee before brewing, it does not fully dissolve. This is why there could be a big difference in the first and last sip.
If you want to know about the many types of salt and their uses in food, watch this video.
Sea Salt in Coffee
History tells that Hungarian, Siberians, Turks, and some Scandinavian communities used Brackish water to make smooth and frothy coffee. Brackish water can be made either by mixing seawater with freshwater or adding sea salt to freshwater. It mixes in the hot water easily.
How Much Himalayan Salt in Coffee?
Himalayan salt has a high mineral value too, but it does not fully dissolve in the hot water/coffee. The saltiness is also a little lower than table salt. The ideal ratio is to use a little less than ½ teaspoon of pink salt per cup.
Some residue can sit at the bottom too, therefore, you should always add Himalayan salt before adding water, or after using the filter.
Epsom Salt in Coffee
Epsom salt is high in magnesium, so is coffee. This is the only reason I do not recommend this combination. Too much magnesium intake can cause digestive issues, and interfere with calcium absorption in the body. It can also interfere with the absorption of other electrolytes because they compete for absorption in the body. It can lead to an unwanted imbalance.
You can add these together in your bath water, or soak your feet in it and enjoy the magnesium load.
Should You Put Table Salt in Coffee
Table salt dissolves easily in hot liquids, but this also takes away the control of taste from you. Another reason for not recommending table salt in coffee is that its saltiness depends on the brand. Some table salts are saltier (more refined) than other table salts. Therefore, you might need only 1/8th teaspoon, rather than 1/4th teaspoon.
How Much Salt in Coffee Should You Put
Alton Brown recommends using half a spoon of kosher salt in each cup of coffee. You can use a pinch only to start experimenting with the taste, and then move up to half a spoon, or stick to a pinch of salt in the coffee. It depends on your palate.
Why start with a pinch?
It is because if you have been drinking your coffee with sugar, milk, creamers, and syrups, it will take some time to build your palate. The ideal ratio depends on how much saltiness you can pick up in the first sip.
How much salt to add to coffee?
Just a pinch! If you can handle it, then add 1/8th teaspoon, then move up to 1/4th teaspoon, and then try ½ teaspoon of salt per cup.
How Much Sodium in a Cup of Coffee Would Salt Give?
Drinking 4 cups of black coffee every day can cut down 1200mg of sodium from your body. This is equal to the daily recommended intake of sodium for an adult. By adding salt to coffee, you can balance the sodium loss in your body. For example, adding half a teaspoon of kosher salt will give you 900 mg sodium in one cup.
The question remains, how much should you add? How do you find the right balance that does not interfere with your overall salt intake?
Looking at the recommended daily intake of salt and the amount of salt cut down by coffee, I recommend using 1/4th teaspoon of salt per cup for a healthy person. It is because apart from drinking salt in the coffee, we also eat a good amount of sodium and other salts in our meals.
It also depends on the kinds of foods you eat throughout the day. If you eat sodium-rich foods, like nuts, during the day, you may need to consider putting less salt in the coffee. Otherwise, you can switch the timing of eating sodium-rich foods against salted coffee. Are you still wondering about the perfect ratio? Well, each body is different. Some people have medical conditions that restrict sodium intake. On the other hand, some people eat sodium-rich foods throughout the day, while others may have an inactive lifestyle. Those with an active lifestyle can handle more electrolytes because of sweating.
It is a little complicated to find out the correct ratio. Here is how you can do it.
- Write down all the foods you eat during day.
- Calculate the amount of sodium in these foods.
- Calculate the number of coffee cups you drink every day.
Now do the math. If you add 3 cups of coffee, adding ½ a teaspoon of salt will give you 900mg sodium per cup. The cup of coffee will cut 1200mg of sodium from your body. This means you are left with 300mg sodium per cup of salted coffee. The total daily recommended intake of sodium is 1200mg.
This means, if you drink 4 cups of salted coffee every day, your daily sodium intake will be covered. You can cut the cups of coffee or foods to maintain a healthy sodium intake per day.
Can I Grind Salt in Coffee Grinder?
If your salt is too flaky, and you want to use it in coffee, you can grind it with the beans in the grinder. Make sure to use this mixture within 3 days.
Do you mean grinding salt in a grinder without the beans, like spices? The answer is, yes. You can use the small blade in the coffee grinder to grind salt. Make sure to clean the coffee grinder with a small soft brush before putting it away.
What Does Salted Coffee Taste Like
Salted coffee tastes less acidic and less bitter than regular coffee. The exact taste of your cup of coffee depends on the type of coffee you use. If you use a dark roast, then your coffee would still be a little bitter after adding salt. However, if you use light roast, then it would be less acidic and less bitter after adding salt.
Can you taste salt in coffee? Not really. It neutralizes the bitterness of your cup, but it does not take over the flavor of the coffee. Salted coffee tastes like coffee, just less bitter and more flavorful.
Should I Put Salt in Coffee – The Health Benefits
Salt in coffee is known to cut down bitterness and acidity. But it has many more health benefits, that would make you think right now, “why I never knew this before?”.
These health benefits are versatile and are not limited to flavor only. Here we go!
For electrolytes
Coffee is rich in electrolytes. Adding salt in coffee makes your cup rich in electrolytes. These electrolytes are essential for fluid absorption in your body and maintaining fluid balance.
Salt and coffee before workout
One of the most important salt in coffee benefits is workout support. Since salted coffee is rich in electrolytes and minerals, it keeps you pumped up in the gym and does not make you feel dehydrated even after an intense workout.
Himalayan salt in coffee benefits
When compared to other salts, Himalayan salt has a relatively higher mineral value. Himalayan salt in coffee benefits are not limited to fluid and mineral retention in the body. The zinc in Himalayan salt helps clear the skin and improves heart health. Sulfur keeps the skin hydrated and improves elasticity, while chromium and iodine help improve the immune system and fight infections.
For bloating
People suffering from stomach issues can use salt in coffee for bloating. It increases the pH of the mouth that promotes saliva production. Saliva in the mouth is important for reducing bloating, as well as maintaining oral hygiene. However, if there is an underlying condition, such as poor gut health or chronic digestive issues due to poor liver health, then you must ask a physician before increasing your sodium intake in any form.
For heartburn
Heartburn, GERD, acidity, and other related health issues can be tackled with salted coffee. Although it does not 100% resolve these health issues, it helps reduce them to some extent and reduces the effect of their triggers.
Why Do Sailors Put Salt in Coffee?
Sailors love salted coffee. During WWII, desalination units were installed for water supply to sailors on the sea. However, these desalination units did not extract all minerals and salts from the sea to convert water into freshwater. Sailors became used to making their coffee with a little salted water. Later, salt replaced sugar in their coffees.
Does Salted Coffee Make You Sick?
Mostly, no. It does not make you sick if you stick to the recommended ratio, which is ½ spoon salt per cup. If you exceed the recommended ratio, then it may make you throw up or get sick.
Coffee becomes a diuretic when you add a lot of salt to it. In excess, it can damage the kidneys and disturb thyroid functions too. Excess iodine in salt can also cause thyroid inflammation and goiter.
However, if added in recommended amounts, you will not have to worry about health issues, unless previously occurring health problems are there.
Can We Add Salt in Black Coffee?
Yes, you can. 1 cup of black coffee cuts down around 300mg of sodium in your body. Adding salt in black coffee will also increase the health value of your cup. It will help balance sodium levels in your body, along with improving the flavor and toning down the bitterness.
Can You Taste Salt in Coffee?
No, you do not taste it. The flavor of salted coffee is almost similar to the regular one, just with lower bitter and acidic notes. Adding just 1/8th spoon of salt to coffee will bring down the bitterness and acidity, along with enhancing the flavor and smoothness of your cup.
Is There Salt in Coffee Beans?
Yes, it is naturally occurring salt, and the amount depends on the kind of beans you use. Robusta is high in natural minerals apart from sodium.
Is There Salt in Instant Coffee
Instant coffee has natural 2mg sodium per 100gms. People also add a pinch of salt in free-dried Arabica to enhance the flavor.
When Using French Press
Alton Brown’s first experiment with salted coffee was with French Press. If you are wondering when to add salt in French Press, then you can use my easy technique. I finish my French Press with a pinch of salt. Then leave my cup of coffee covered for 2 minutes until all the flavors are nicely embedded.
How to Filter Salted Coffee
When you add salt before brewing, it does not mix thoroughly. You can use the large steel strainers to keep salt in the coffee, but you may end up with little grounds in your cup. You can use filters with large pores for experimenting.
Salt in Coffee Recipe
Alton Brown recommends adding ½ a spoon of kosher salt and 2 spoons of coffee in each cup. However, the taste could still be a puzzle for some people. It depends on your palate. I prefer adding 1/8th spoon of salt and 2 spoons of dark roasted beans in each cup. This is my ideal salt to coffee ratio.
Alternatives to Cut Bitterness and Acidity
Coffees with creamers are still highly acidic and may interfere with stomach functions. People use sugar, syrups, and other sweeteners to cut the bitterness. However, you can add salt instead of sugar to your coffee. It is cheaper too (just another reason I tell myself on my no-spend days).
My verdict? It’s funny. People have put coconut oil, butter, ghee, eggs, nitrogen, and what not. Salt in coffee sounds better than putting an egg in your morning cup. Worth a try? Yes.
Important to Read
People with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, or those using blood-thinning medicines, and such should always consult their physician before increasing any kind of electrolytes in their routine. Similarly, people with poor kidney or liver function should also ask a doctor before increasing their electrolyte intake.
It is necessary to remember that anything in excess is dangerous.