Why does coffee smell so good, but taste so awful?
lostonearth35
Veteran
Joined: 5 Jan 2010
Age: 50
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,881
Location: Lost on Earth, waddya think?
I read something the other day that people with a history of middle ear infections may have a hypersensitivity to bitterness or flavors in general. Maybe this explains why I seem less tolerant of bitter foods for someone my age.
When you get older, your taste buds are less sensitive than when you're a kid, and that's why you sometimes end up liking certain foods you used to hate. Of course, everyone thinks it's because your tastes have "matured". Yeah, right.
I think it's an acquired taste. I didn't start liking black coffee until I was older, but I always loved coffee with lots of sugar and cream. And yes, the quality of the coffee helps, as well. Starbucks coffee for example always leaves a bitter, burnt aftertaste no matter what I buy there.
nick007
Veteran
Joined: 4 May 2010
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 27,121
Location: was Louisiana but now Vermont in the police state called USA
I've seen coffee nut M&Ms at RiteAid but I'm afraid to try em since I don't drink coffee unless someone like my girlfriend tells me how they taste & if she thinks I'll like em but she's not really interested in trying them either.
_________________
"I don't have an anger problem, I have an idiot problem!"
"Hear all, trust nothing"
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Ru ... cquisition
I find sugar always ruins the taste, it's so sweet your masking the coffee. I have milk or cream only, you can taste the coffee but not the bitterness.
_________________
"all men can see these tactics whereby I conquer; yet none can see the strategy by which victory is evolved"...
It probably is one or all of these things
1. you've only tried crappy coffee
2. you've only tried the wrong type of coffee (for example you've only tried black coffee when you might like sweetened coffee or an espresso)
3. you're senses are hypersensitive.
The third one is definitely a possibility, hypersensitivity is a symptom of ASD. So the bitterness of coffee might be amplified by your taste buds, as well as the smell.
That's how it is with me. To test if it's your sensitive taste buds, ask yourself "Do I like dark chocolate? Even if everyone else says it's not that dark? Do I sometimes find even regular chocolate bitter too?" If you answered yes to any or all of those then, congratulations, you'll probably never like coffee, or have a hard time adjusting.
All of that being said, most people agree that coffee is an acquired taste, almost no one starts out loving coffee.
_________________
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
-Romans 12:2
I speak on behalf of no-one but myself. For how can I represent anyone else? If someone shares my opinion on a topic, are we now the same person? With the same opinions on all topics? No, of course not.
-Blast335 (me)
lostonearth35
Veteran
Joined: 5 Jan 2010
Age: 50
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,881
Location: Lost on Earth, waddya think?
One time my brother and sister in law sold home-made biscotti that my brother had made himself, and served their own fancy espresso with it at the local farmer's market. I once went down and had some biscotti with a mochachino. Even with steamed chocolate milk it was really bitter! The biscotti was good, though.
Coffee is full of aromatic heterocyclic compounds. Lots of them with sulfur atoms. If broccoli and brussels sprouts give you the yecchs, coffee won't be your best friend either.
There are two distinct varieties (arabica, which is naturally sweeter, and robusta, which is heavier and can be bitter).
Add to this the fact that different roasting times/processes will cause more or less chemical reaction among the different flavor-related chemicals, and different grind sizes/extraction processes/temps will affect the rate of extraction of all those chemicals into the brew.
Add to THIS the fact that water chemistry has a huge effect on taste - recently chlorinated water, water treated with chelating agents to reduce pipe corrosion, etc. really mess it up.
For a good chance of brewing a cup of coffee that will make you smile, close your eyes, and sink down in your chair, try this: find a medium roast, fine grind, Arabica; extra points if the fresh grounds have a slight aroma of chocolate to them. (You'd be amazed: grocery store house brands can be exquisite.) Use whichever extraction process you prefer, but use a good brand of bottled spring water (Not sparkling!! !! Bicarbonate ion content seems to be very important, and water filters can muck that up.)
Let stand five or so minutes after brewed, and season to taste. I have no problems drinking it black or with sugar and cream, but I've also used a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and clove. OH YUM (falls over on back with feet in air.)
Enjoy!
(edit in: it's less important to grind your own than it is to keep the beans or pre-ground coffee in the freezer once opened. work fast and take out what you need ASAP to reduce condensation in/on the rest.)
(edit in again: I swear this is much easier than it sounds. I can do it first thing in the mornings before I even remember my own name.)
_________________
"I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are the good people and the bad people," said the man. "You're wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides."
-- Terry Pratchett, Guards! Guards!
Amen. I'm a coffee snob. Won't drink anything but espresso and am very picky about which / what is good espresso.
But find me a good coffee and I love coffee. It's one of my very few consistent pleasures in life. Love it.
I know! Ick! There should rightly be a disclaimer on that - "do you want an instant coffee?"
Because instant is not coffee. Instant is hideous, dirty grey piss. And percolated coffee literally tastes and smells like cat piss. Yuck.
_________________
Alexithymia - 147 points.
Low-Verbal.
Similar Topics | |
---|---|
Oppenheimer Oscar leaves bad taste |
16 Mar 2024, 5:30 pm |
What Coffee With Cream Can Teach Us About Quantum Physics |
24 Jan 2024, 5:26 pm |
Almond milk in coffee destroying planet |
08 Feb 2024, 3:47 pm |
Good fay
in Bipolar, Tourettes, Schizophrenia, and other Psychological Conditions |
16 Apr 2024, 8:03 pm |