Why add salt to coffee: gourmet recipes for connoisseurs

Residents of European and CIS countries are accustomed to drinking an invigorating drink with sugar, milk, and cream. But coffee with salt and pepper seems exotic to many. Like lard in chocolate. But if you decide to make a bold experiment with the drink, you will be surprised. The coffee is not salty, but has a refined taste. And it also brings health benefits.

Why did people start adding salt to coffee?

The tradition of brewing coffee with salt originated among residents of the Middle East. In addition, the recipe has become popular in Africa and Asia. In these regions, due to extreme heat, people sweat profusely, lose important macro- and macroelements, and therefore need to restore the water-salt balance. And here a tonic drink comes to the rescue.

Interesting fact

In 2008, the Taiwanese coffee shop chain 85 Degree Bakery Cafe introduced a new product to customers - salted coffee. Baristas began adding a small amount of sea salt to the cream and then forming a foam. Soon the unusual drink outsold the branded Americano by 30%.

3 reasons to try new coffee

Heat is not the only reason for culinary experiments in the East. Below is a list of other reasons why salt is added to coffee.

Improved taste

Sodium ions enhance the aroma of essential oils, sweet notes, while dulling bitterness and acidity. For some coffee lovers, the drink begins to seem stronger, but not tart.

Benefits for the body

A regular drink dehydrates the body due to its high caffeine content.But sodium has the opposite property - retaining fluid in cells. In addition, this macronutrient neutralizes the harmful effects of acids on the gastrointestinal tract and improves well-being.

Salt can be used as a substitute for sugar. Then you are less likely to get cavities.

Attention! Salty coffee can be harmful to people who suffer from cardiovascular diseases (especially those with hypertension): it raises blood pressure.

Water softening

City residents often complain about hard water. Mineral sediment not only affects the taste of the drink, but is also harmful to the kidneys. And sodium just helps soften the liquid.

How to prepare the drink correctly?

You can add salt only when cooking ground grains - then it will allow the taste and aroma of the main ingredient to reveal themselves. If you add the powder to the soluble granules, the drink will turn out to be bitter and salty.

The classic recipe includes the following components:

ground coffee beans – 2–2.5 teaspoons;
regular table or sea salt, medium grind - ¼ teaspoon;
cold water – 0.25 liters.

Pour the main ingredients into the Turk. If desired, you can add 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. Shake the container to mix the ingredients. Pour in cold water and place the Turk on low heat.

Boil the drink until a fluffy foam appears on top. But don't bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Repeat heating three times if you want a richer taste. Serve salted coffee with 200 ml of cool water.

To cook ground grains, it is recommended to use a copper, ceramic or brass pot.

Unusual recipes

True gourmets love to add new ingredients to the drink - spices, toppings, alcohol, zest.If you also like to experiment, try any of the recipes below.

Table 1. How to make salted coffee

Recipe	Components	Cooking process
With pepper	· ground grains – 1 tbsp. spoon;	Prepared according to the classic recipe. Just before the last heating you need to add pepper to the drink.
	· NaCl – a pinch;
	· black pepper – a pinch or 1 pea;
	· granulated sugar – 0.5 tbsp. spoons;
	· water - a glass.
Cinnamon	· ground grains – 2 teaspoons;	Pour coffee into the pot and cook until a “head” appears. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Mix. Heat again without bringing to a boil. Remove from the stove and let it brew for a while.
	· NaCl – a pinch;
	· granulated sugar – 1 teaspoon;
	· ground cinnamon – 0.5 teaspoon;
	· water - a glass.
With cream	· ground grains – 1.5 tbsp. spoons;	Heat the cream, sugar and vanilla over low heat until the mixture becomes thick. Prepare the remaining ingredients according to the classic recipe. Add cream-sugar mixture.
	· cream with 35% fat content – 3 teaspoons;
	· granulated sugar – 1 teaspoon;
	· NaCl – a pinch;
	Vanillin – ¼ teaspoon;
	· water - a glass.
With orange	· ground grains – 1.5 teaspoons;	For the main ingredients, use the classic recipe. Add orange juice and zest to the finished drink. Wait 3–5 minutes.
	· orange juice – 1 teaspoon;
	· dried orange zest – 0.5 teaspoon;
	· granulated sugar – 1 teaspoon;
	· NaCl – a pinch;
	· water – 150 ml.
With cognac	· ground grains – 1.5 teaspoons;	Brew coffee according to the classic recipe. Add cognac and let it brew for 1-2 minutes.
	· NaCl – a pinch;
	· granulated sugar – 0.5 teaspoon;
	· cognac – 1 teaspoon;
	· water – 150 ml.

Coffee with salt: FAQ

Question: Why should I add medium grind salt to my coffee beans?

Answer: Fine salt does not remove bitterness well. And the quantity of large ones is difficult to calculate. If you overdo it, the drink will turn out salty.

Question: What other ingredients improve the taste of salted coffee?

Answer: Cardamom, zest of any citrus fruit (grapefruit, lemon, lime, bergamot), cane sugar, caramel, brandy, chocolate liqueur.

No matter how wild the combination of coffee and salt may seem to you, try it. In terms of aroma, strength and tonic properties, the oriental drink is superior to the European one. The new recipe definitely deserves the attention of true coffee lovers.