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What in tarnation is this...
- Thread starter Haber Dashing
- Start date
I dont know but i have heard about some navy guys doing it that way.
IIRC that looks like the Alton Brown coffee method, salt cuts the bitterness that can sometimes be had in less than perfect coffee.
iirc it's an acid reducer / chemical reaction : acid+ base = salt
acid: bitter
salt: reacts ? w/ acid?
less bitterness?
acid: bitter
salt: reacts ? w/ acid?
less bitterness?
Nope, salt is the product of an acid-base reaction, (NaCl = HCl + NaOH with water and heat as by products) not a reactant and therefore won't neutralize anything. One could argue that added salt might rebalance chemical equillibrium somewhat in favor of the reactants, but I doubt that would be noticeable or even significant (let alone desireable) in a cup of coffee.
So, my suspicion is that Alton Brown recommends it just because salt can make things taste better. (try a touch of sea salt with chocolate, for ex., or ice cream)
edit: Actually, ignore the part about chemical equilibrium. Acid-base reactions tend to go to completion and therefore do not establish an equilibrium between products and reactants. Nevertheless, salt does not neutralize acidity, it's a product of an acid-base reaction.
edit2: needless to say: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. This particular reaction generates huge amounts of heat (soapmakers, you know this) and can be very very dangerous.
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My wife loves sea salt dark chocolate.
(also, thanks for the chemistry lesson -- and the oblique reminder of Ockham's razor: the simplest explanation is best).
I knew that minor degree would come in use someday. 
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I came across this salt in coffee many years ago when visiting friends. It actually does bring the flavour out more, as salt does in many foodstuffs. Not for me though.
Changing the subject, does the guy on the video have one of the most boring voices ever? I nearly dozed off before he got to the pinch of salt!
Gareth
Changing the subject, does the guy on the video have one of the most boring voices ever? I nearly dozed off before he got to the pinch of salt!
Gareth
- Thread starter
- #9
It was like listening to one of those tranquility tapes that you use for self hypnosis to quit smoking.
Not that I would know? And now a word from our sponsors....
He's 1 part Mr. Rogers and 1 part the teacher from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Ben Stein
Yeah, but folks might not know him, and he doesn't drone on like that in real life.
I tried the salt in the coffee mix today didn't taste much different at least not that I could tell.
The dash of salt in the brewer is a very old thing. It's done to reduce bitterness. I don't know if it works as I've never done it but that is the reason.
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