They could be roasted for this one.
Java addicts seem to have generated quite a bit of controversy on social media over the claim that a touch of salt makes the morning cup of coffee more flavorful and less bitter.
But the weird-sounding trick, which has recently been causing a stir on TikTok, isn’t without merit, according to researchers, who have in the past found that salt is an effective deterrent to coffee’s sometimes brutal bite.
Experts like food scientist Alton Brown agree: Brown was a proponent of the idea on his previous Food Network show, Good Eats, long enough for some Joe drinkers to refer to the move as the “Alton hack.” Brown”.
And in entire countries like Taiwan, sea salt-blended coffees are an everyday treat, found on the menus of Taiwanese cafes and bakeries around the world, including in the United States.
Dr. Anis Khalaf, an Orlando-based acupuncturist, recently told his TikTok followers that drinking “excessive amounts of coffee can also make the body lose sodium”, which makes the idea of supplemental salt a good idea, beyond just neutralizing the bitter notes.
Another TIkTok user, @heritagehousehomestead, said the tactic helped them say “bye-bye to coffee heartburn,” suggesting followers add salt to their coffee grounds before brewing.
While some commenters were getting a little, well, salty, others were lining up in support.
“I drink my coffee black. Salt also enhances the flavor of the coffee,” said one.
Others highlighted the classical appeal of the technique, with some reporting that the notion had been passed down in their families for generations.
“Grandpa always did this when he made coffee in the Navy in a submarine. It totally works when we go camping with a good old fashioned coffee maker,” commented one user.
“My grandfather taught me this in the 60s,” said another.