A barista in Austin told me to try coffee with a pinch of salt

I was at a small shop on South Congress last month, really not liking my pour-over. It tasted too sharp. I told the barista, a guy named Leo. He just nodded, went to the counter, and put a tiny bit of salt, maybe two grains, right into the grounds before brewing a new cup. Said it cuts the bitterness without sugar. I was sure it would ruin it. But it didn't. The coffee was smoother, way better. Totally changed how I make it at home now. Has anyone else tried this trick, or is it just a weird Austin thing?

3 comments

3 Comments

faith_chen721mo ago

Thought that sounded crazy until I tried it myself. It really does mellow out a bitter cup without making it taste salty. Now I keep a little salt shaker next to my coffee stuff.

the_derek1mo ago

Yeah the "mellow out a bitter cup" part is exactly right. I was so sure it would ruin the coffee but it just takes the edge off. I started doing this after a bad bag of beans last month and now I tell everyone about it. faith_chen72 you saved my morning routine.

the_viola8d ago

Oh wow, I do the same thing and @the_derek is right, it just makes bad coffee way more drinkable.