The drink made from coffee beans has been accompanying people for so long that people have tried preparing coffee in thousands of different ways. Some seem familiar and familiar to us, for example, coffee with sugar. What do you say to the proposal to replace sugar with salt? Many will just shrug their shoulders in bewilderment, thinking that they have been played. Meanwhile, coffee with salt is very common in hot countries, the Middle East and the Mediterranean basin. Do you want to reproduce the recipe of ancient masters yourself and enjoy its exquisite taste? Then read our material.
Why is salt added to coffee?
To reduce the bitterness characteristic of espresso, residents of European countries add granulated sugar, milk, cream, and syrups. But people who lived in these territories much earlier brewed a tonic drink with the addition of aromatic spices and herbs.
Salt is added to coffee not only to give it an unusual aftertaste. The body of people living in hot climates (Africa, Middle East, Asia) regularly becomes dehydrated. Adding spices helps retain liquid.
Thus, salty seasonings regulate the water-salt balance. In addition, they, unlike granulated sugar, do not provoke the appearance of caries.
When an unattractive groom comes to marry a Turkish girl, she can refuse him by pouring salt into a hot drink.
This spice has a softening effect on water. After dissolving it in boiling water, you can feel a pleasant unusual smell. But the main thing is not to overdo it: if you put too much salt in your coffee, it will spoil its taste. A small pinch will be enough.
Why should you add salt to your coffee?
Contrary to popular belief, caffeine does not make coffee bitter. About 15% of the bitterness in coffee comes from caffeine. Most of the bitterness in coffee comes from two classes of compounds—chlorogenic acid lactones and phenylindanes. (Chemical composition of coffee. Part 1)
Both of these compounds are antioxidants found in roasted coffee beans. They are not found in raw coffee. This clearly shows that the more you roast your coffee, the stronger and more bitter it becomes.
Basic brewing rules
Each country approaches coffee ceremonies differently. For example, in Ethiopia, a tonic drink is usually served in 2 cups.
Salted coffee is usually not filtered. This makes it easier to prepare. In order for the grounds to completely settle to the bottom of the mug, the finished espresso must be infused for 1-2 minutes.
Adding a few drops of cool water to your coffee will help speed up the settling process.
To maximize the flavor palette of this non-standard drink, it is recommended:
- Use only high-grade grains.
- Grind the coffee beans very finely.
- Use a ceramic Turk during cooking.
- Do not add large amounts of seasonings to a hot drink.
- Pour salt into the Turk before putting it on the stove.
According to the traditional recipe, this espresso is served with a glass of water.
You may be the reason your coffee is bitter!
The roast level of your coffee beans may not take all the blame for the bitterness, your brewing could be the problem.
One reason could be leaving your coffee to steep for too long, which will cause unwanted bitterness. Even grinding your coffee too fine or using the wrong ratios and coffee past its expiration date will add even more bitterness.
Classic recipe
This is a simple option for brewing a tonic drink. You will need 3 components:
- ground coffee (preferably Arabica);
- mineral water;
- salt.
The classic version of brewing coffee in a Turk involves adding salt immediately along with the ground beans. To ensure the rich taste of the finished product, you need to remove the container from the stove 3 times after a lush brown foam forms on its top.
While cooking, you will feel a sour-bitter smell spreading throughout the house. After the drink has infused, you can drink it. It is not advisable to add salt to cooled espresso, as this will spoil its taste.
Four reasons to add a pinch of salt to your coffee and a classic recipe
It turns out that if you put salt rather than sugar in your coffee, the taste will not be as strange as it seems at first glance. We tried it and didn't even spit. In truth, salt doesn't just add a new flavor to your favorite drink.
I wonder what else?
Why is salt added to coffee?
Remove bitterness
Sounds funny, but salt reduces bitterness. To be more precise, this is done by the sodium ions it contains. They are the ones who block the mechanism of transmitting bitter taste in our mouth: the receptors begin to react to salty instead of bitter. Thus, sodium appears to be even more effective at masking bitterness than sugar, which can only mask it a little while salt completely neutralizes it.
We are all, of course, our own gourmets, but in life there are different cases, and it is better to have a life hack in stock on how to make the frankly bad at least acceptable. Adding salt is a good solution when you only have coffee of “so-so quality” on hand. A pinch of salt will camouflage the taste of burnt or not very fresh grain.
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Improve water
Water that is left in the coffee maker for a long time can “stay” and become unpleasant. Often it is initially not of the best quality (too hard, for example), and there is no other one nearby. But we know very well that the taste of coffee directly depends on water. In this case, salt can be a good solution: it will improve the taste of water and its chemical properties, due to which the coffee will rise to a higher level.
Please note that using salted water results in more foaming when brewing coffee.
Enhance flavor and replace sugar
Salt added in small quantities will definitely brighten up the coffee. This is its property - to enhance taste and aroma. Additionally, if you need to limit your sugar intake but find the bitterness of coffee too unpleasant, salt can be a good substitute—it won't make your drink sweet, but it will cut the bitterness and help you stay within your diet.
Experts believe that salt goes best with Robusta, allowing the maximum flavor of this grain to be revealed.
Replace sodium loss
There is a scientific theory that drinking large amounts of coffee leads to sodium leaching. There hasn't been much research on this subject, and it's not 100% certain that it's true, but if you're concerned about this issue, salt may be a good solution. By adding a pinch to your cup of Americano (or espresso), you partially restore the sodium balance in the body.
How to properly prepare coffee with salt?
Let us be glad right away - this is the case when you can experiment as much as you like. The main thing is to learn how to calculate the quantity, but this is purely a matter of taste. But we warn you: it may not work on the first try, be prepared that you will have to practice your skills.
If you brew coffee in a Turk,
It’s more convenient to add salt at the beginning of the process (along with ground grain) and stir by adding water.
If you prefer a coffee machine,
no one will forbid you to add salt to your favorite drink already in the mug when it is ready.
Who came up with the idea of adding salt to coffee?
Records of coffee with salt can be found in historical documents of many nations - obviously, the idea for this recipe appeared in several places at once. This practice is an integral part of coffee making traditions in Hungary, Scandinavia, Turkey and other countries.
One of the possible reasons for the emergence of the tradition is the use of so-called salted water of natural origin. In coastal regions there are places where salty sea water mixes with fresh water from rivers. Such water has a salt content of 0.05 to 3% (for comparison, sea water contains an average of 3-5%). Since ancient times, people have often used it as drinking water, including making coffee with it. This was considered almost the norm and did not surprise anyone. Moreover, over time, people noticed the obvious benefits of this method of preparing coffee.
Another version comes from the Middle East. She explains the appearance of salty coffee by the fact that such a drink helps to better maintain salt balance in hot climates.
By the way, in Ethiopia it is customary to serve two cups of coffee at once: one with a regular drink, the other with salt (by adding a little salty coffee to regular coffee, you can achieve the ideal taste, which is individual for everyone). And in Turkey it is still believed that by adding salt to the coffee of a young man who has come to get married, the young bride can show her affection (tasty and piquant) or her dislike for the groom (too salty).
Are you ready to try this coffee? Or have you already acquired your own secrets for adding salt?
Creamy coffee with salt
You need to take heavy cream, ground Arabica beans, purified water and salt.
Coffee and spices should be poured into the Turk. Fill the mixture with water. Stir it to avoid burning. When foam forms on the top of the container, remove it from the stove.
Meanwhile, work on the dairy component. Pour the cream into a saucepan and heat. They go well with salt; the use of these 2 ingredients allows you to give the drink interesting flavor notes.
Connect both pieces. Stir well. The drink is drunk hot.
What does salt in coffee mean?
There are signs associated with salt, which can end up on the floor, table or in coffee. People have always associated the use of salt for other purposes with some kind of prejudice. But many people pay attention to this, because salt is an important spice on the table, and it takes pride of place in the kitchen.
Mostly attention is paid to moments that were not made on purpose, only then do they carry some meaning. Sometimes a person may put salt in his coffee, and there is no need to be upset about this. A popular sign says that favorable changes will come soon, or hear good news.
Original recipe with pepper
This coffee should be brewed using classic culinary seasonings - salt and black pepper. For 1 standard size mug there are 2-3 peas.
Cooking method:
- Brew traditional espresso using any method. According to the classic recipe, they use Turk for this.
- Spices must be placed in a container before putting it on the fire. In 30 seconds of cooking, the liquid will absorb their taste and aromatic characteristics.
- The finished drink is not filtered, but infused for 1-2 minutes. During this time, the grounds will completely settle to the bottom of the cup, so there is no need to worry that they will spoil the impression of the ceremony.
Coffee with pepper has a very concentrated taste. A pinch of granulated sugar will help soften it a little.
Is it possible to reheat cold coffee?
True connoisseurs claim that a few minutes after serving, brewed coffee loses some of its properties. After two minutes, most of the aroma is lost and the taste deteriorates. Half an hour after serving, coffee loses all its charm irrevocably.
True, cold coffee retains many beneficial qualities. But heated coffee loses all its properties, for which it is valued: an invigorating aroma, a tart taste with bitterness.
Coffee with salt has a pleasant and dense taste, invigorates well and helps to more vividly feel the joy of a new day in life.
Thus, according to the general opinion of everyone (both amateurs and researchers), coffee cannot be heated. You don’t need to be a scientific researcher to do this: our taste buds will clearly perceive the difference between coffee brewed according to all the rules of art and a warmed, tasteless brown drink.
Cooking with cinnamon
Salty espresso with spicy notes has a rich aroma, taste and pleasant consistency. To cook it you will need the following components:
- cinnamon;
- ground Arabica;
- a pinch of salt;
- mineral water.
To obtain a product with a lasting aroma, a cinnamon stick should be placed in a Turk along with ground coffee and salt. Reduce the heat once the Turmer has formed a creamy brown foam. Do not bring the drink to a boil, as this will spoil its taste. You need to drink it hot.
Popular recipes
There are several options for preparing salty coffee drinks, so lovers of the strength of espresso and connoisseurs of a soft, creamy taste will choose the right recipe. Traditionally, salted coffee is prepared in a preheated pot. There are different options for adding seasoning. Sometimes crystals are placed in the Turk at the beginning of cooking. If the drink is offered to guests, it is better to serve regular espresso and a concentrated coffee-saline solution in a separate cup.
It is better to use the finest grind coffee (“to dust”), medium grind salt and very cold water.
Classic recipe
For preparation you will need:
- 2 tsp ground coffee;
- 150 ml cold water;
- salt on the tip of a knife.
Pour ingredients into a heated pot and heat slightly. Pour in cold water and place on low heat. Bring 2-3 times until foam appears. Pour the finished drink into heated cups, add 1 tsp. cold water so that the sediment sinks to the bottom faster. Serve hot with dried fruits and oriental sweets.
In Ethiopian
For preparation you will need:
- 3-4 tsp. ground coffee;
- 200 ml cold water;
- 0.5 tsp salt.
Brew strong espresso in the usual way. Pour into two cups: pour 150 ml into one, and the rest into the other. Shake a small portion of the drink with 0.5 tsp. seasonings using the steam vent of a coffee maker or blender. Serve both cups together: the guest will add the concentrate to taste. Coffee with salt is called "buna ch'ow" in Ethiopia.
With cream
For preparation you will need:
- 3 tsp ground coffee;
- 150 ml water;
- 20 ml cream;
- 1 tsp Sahara;
- salt on the tip of a knife;
- a pinch of vanilla.
Beat cream with sugar and vanilla. Brew coffee with salt according to the classic recipe. Pour it into a cup and then add cream.
With pepper
For preparation you will need:
- 3 tsp ground coffee;
- 150 ml water;
- 1 black peppercorn;
- a pinch of salt;
- sugar to taste.
Crush a peppercorn and put it in a pot along with the coffee. Add a little sugar if desired. Pour in cold water and cook until the second foam appears. Pour into a heated cup and wait 2-3 minutes for the sediment to sink to the bottom. The recipe for coffee with salt and pepper is common in Arab countries. It perfectly invigorates, tones and warms.
Benefits and harms
Espresso with the addition of classic culinary seasoning has not only an unusual taste, but also a beneficial effect on the body. If you consume it in moderation, you will be able to normalize your metabolism.
And the combination of salt and caffeine is an excellent immunostimulating medicine. If you regularly drink such a cocktail, the body's resistance to pathogenic viruses and bacteria will increase significantly.
Doctors recommend drinking salted coffee when you have a cold or cough, as it helps remove pathogenic microflora from the throat mucosa.
Consuming it is useful for food poisoning, as caffeine normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
But consuming too much salty espresso will lead to adverse health effects. Do not forget that salt retains water in the body, which can lead to edema.
A cocktail made from ground Arabica beans and traditional culinary spices is definitely worth a try. This will allow you to discover new taste horizons.
How does Salt deal with bitterness?
It all starts in the language. The surface of the tongue is lined with thousands of taste buds, each of which can identify the 5 basic tastes - sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami. Food on the tongue causes a chemical reaction that is then transmitted to the brain. That's how you define taste.
Research shows that salt helps enhance similar tastes: sweet, salty and sour. Bitterness, on the other hand, works differently. Salt, for reasons not demystified, overrides this response in the taste pathways, thereby masking the bitter sensation.
Why is salt added?
Many people ask this question, but according to the classic recipe, coffee is prepared only this way - with a pinch of salt. In fact, this ingredient suppresses the bitterness characteristic of the drink prepared in Turk. Thanks to salt, its taste and aroma are fully revealed. The drink will be rich, not bland. Salt stimulates our taste buds, causing us to taste coffee better. In addition, it makes the water softer and neutralizes hardness, which also affects the taste of the drink.
Classic coffee with salt is prepared according to the following recipe:
- Ground coffee (2 tsp) is poured into a copper pot with a narrow neck and a wide bottom, a pinch of salt is added and 150 ml of purified cold water is poured.
- The Turka is placed on low heat and heated until foam begins to rise. At this time, remove the container from the heat and wait until the foam goes down. Then return the Turk to the stove again and repeat the steps twice.
- Remove the pot with the brewed drink from the stove and cover with a saucer.
- After a minute, pour in a tablespoon of cold water, wait a minute - and you can pour into cups.
- Add milk and sugar to taste.
Description and taste of the drink
To understand why you need to add salt to coffee, you need to know that:
- sodium ions improve aroma;
- the drink acquires a unique taste and becomes more pleasant to perceive;
- the sourish-bitter taste goes away.
The characteristics of the drink are improved by activating taste buds. Sodium chloride must be added to bitter varieties. This indicator depends on the degree of roasting of the beans. The darker it is, the more sweet it will taste.
How to brew delicious coffee
As a rule, this drink is brewed in coffee machines, Turks or steamed in cups. The Turkish method of cooking is considered traditional. The brewed drink has a rich taste and unique aroma. The following recommendations will help you prepare the right coffee:
- The main secret of delicious coffee is proper grinding of the beans. To ensure that the brewed drink does not taste bitter and has a pleasant taste and aroma, you should choose finely ground coffee.
- It is important to choose the right glassware for preparing the drink. A stainless steel pot is not suitable because the water from below heats up very quickly, while the water on top remains cold. A copper Turk is ideal, in which the neck is three times narrower than the bottom.
- To prepare one cup of the drink, just add 1 teaspoon of ground beans and pour 75 ml of water.
- Boil the coffee over low heat for 3 minutes.
- While brewing the drink, it is strictly forbidden to stir it.
- The water in the Turk is heated three times. As soon as the foam has risen, the Turk must be removed from the heat, and after 3 seconds returned to its place. Repeat the steps twice more.
- To avoid getting any grounds when serving, after preparing the drink, pour a tablespoon of cold water into the Turk.
We offer the best recipes for making Turkish coffee below. Our recommendations will help you easily prepare aromatic coffee with a rich taste.
