A coffee fanatic has revealed their secret ingredient to making coffee “less bitter”, without adding sugar or artificial sweetener. Social media users took to Quora to discuss what they add to coffee to make it taste better.
Coffee has become extraordinarily popular in the UK in recent years, with the top drink types being the latte, followed by the Americano, the flat white and the cappuccino. Coffee company JDE’s marketing director, Roberto de Felice, said: “Coffee is absolutely central to many people’s daily routine. While the UK has historically been known as a nation of tea drinkers, Brits today drink more cups of coffee throughout the day than tea.”
Now one Quora user said he “recently discovered” his favourite trick to improving coffee, adding a teaspoon of pure maple syrup to a mug of coffee that was brewed too strong and is bitter.
He says it will “cut the bitterness significantly”, more so than adding more sugar or other sweeteners. This trick is popular among Canadians, who say the syrup cuts bitterness without overpowering the coffee flavour.
Some say it adds a subtle sweetness and distinctive toasty flavour similar to that of vanilla extract in baked goods, while also dissolving quickly and easily, unlike granulated sugar.
Other users suggested adding double cream instead of milk. They also recommended freezing cream in ice cube trays, then adding them to your coffee instead of ice.
Adding spices was also among the “secret ingredients”. Cardamom and cinnamon, which are popular in Turkey, were suggested. Their subtle flavours can complement the bitterness.
Many Quora users suggested adding a pinch of salt. One said: “Not so much that it tastes salty, but enough that you notice something different you can’t quite put your finger on.”
According to TikToker Dr Karan Rajan, the salt blocks the bitterness receptors on your tongue, making the coffee taste way smoother and requiring less sugar.