Add a Pinch of Salt to Coffee to Cut Bitterness, Experts Say

Adding a pinch of salt to coffee can reduce bitterness and enhance flavour, according to food experts and coffee lovers. Salt is a cheap ingredient, costing as little as 65p, and works as a flavour enhancer without making coffee taste salty.

Brit Brief 22/06/2026 12:28

Add a Pinch of Salt to Coffee to Cut Bitterness, Experts Say — Add Pinch of Salt to Coffee to Cut Bitterness

Adding a pinch of salt to coffee can significantly reduce bitterness and enhance flavour, according to food experts and coffee enthusiasts. Salt, which costs as little as 65p at Aldi or 80p at Asda, acts as a flavour enhancer without making the coffee taste salty, similar to its use in cookies and baked goods.

Reddit Users Call It a 'Game Changer'

Users on a Reddit thread about coffee described the salt trick as a 'game changer', especially for those who dislike sugar. One user explained: 'The salt really rounds off the cup, reduces any bitterness and emphasises any complex flavours. And don't be shy with it, add a proper pinch. I add it to the dry ground before brewing.'

Another Reddit thread dedicated to food hacks also recommends salt. When asked how to make 'cheap grocery store coffee taste like a twenty-dollar bag from a cafe', one user said: 'In the old days of boiling coffee grounds, salt was added. Some said that it was to drop the grounds to the bottom. I think it was the taste.'

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Tradition Dating Back Centuries

Food experts at Bon Appetit (BA) acknowledge that salt 'happily pairs' with coffee. They write: 'Adding it to coffee can actually cut some of the bitterness. In fact, salting coffee is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years in countries like Turkey, Hungary, and Siberia, and more recently, it has become popular in Vietnam, where coffee is combined with whipped salted cream or milk.'

How Much Salt to Add

BA suggests 'starting small and increasing to taste. Adding a tiny pinch to an already brewed cup of coffee can work just as well. The flavour should become noticeably less bitter and acrid, and any bright fruity notes should be more pronounced. You’re free to adjust your ratio - as long as your coffee doesn’t begin to become briny.'

One Reddit user who tried the hack wrote: 'Cool tip OP [original poster]. I tried it this morning with just a tiny, tiny pinch and the difference was immediately noticeable. Also, for those unaware, a stronger roast has less caffeine than a lighter roast. Adjust your routine accordingly.'