Question 1

What are coffee salts / mineral salts, and why use them?

Accepted Answer

Mineral or "coffee salts" are small-dose mineral blends added to your water or grounds to balance flavor. They reduce bitterness, enhance sweetness, smooth harsh edges, and help improve the taste of dark roast or over-extracted brews without needing sugar or cream.

Question 2

How do coffee salts reduce bitterness?

Accepted Answer

Salt (sodium ions) interacts with your taste receptors, dampening perceived bitterness in coffee and allowing other flavor notes—sweet, acidic, or fruity—to become more noticeable.

Question 3

How much salt should I use per cup?

Accepted Answer

Start with a small pinch (about 0.1-0.2 grams for an 8-12 oz cup). You can add to grounds before brewing or sprinkle into the brewed cup and adjust to taste.

Question 4

When is the best time to add coffee salts? Before brewing or after?

Accepted Answer

Both methods work. Adding to the grounds before brewing helps with even dissolution and extraction; adding after lets you control final taste. Try both and see which you prefer.

Question 5

What types of coffee benefit most from salt?

Accepted Answer

Dark roasts, bitter blends, or coffees that tend to over-extract (e.g. bold blends) benefit more. Light roasts or premium specialty coffees may have delicate flavor profiles that could be masked by salt if overused.

Question 6

Will it make my coffee taste salty?

Accepted Answer

Not if used sparingly. A properly calculated pinch won’t make the brew taste salty — it works subtly to reduce bitterness. If you detect saltiness, you’ve probably added too much.

Question 7

Is salted coffee safe / healthy? What about sodium intake?

Accepted Answer

Yes — for most healthy adults, using a small amount of salt in coffee adds only a tiny fraction of your daily sodium limit. If you have dietary restrictions (e.g. low-sodium diet, high blood pressure), consult a healthcare professional.

Question 8

Does salt work better in certain brewing methods (espresso, pour-over, cold brew)?

Accepted Answer

Salt can help across various brewing methods. Cold brew and drip benefit when bitterness is more pronounced; espresso needs very little because it’s concentrated. Start minimal and adjust per method.

Question 9

Will salt mask good qualities in high-quality coffee?

Accepted Answer

It might. Very clean, lightly roasted, single-origin coffees have subtle flavor notes that could be overshadowed if too much salt is used. It’s best to use sparingly or skip altogether in these cases.

Question 10

How does this relate to acidity / acid reflux? Does salt help?

Accepted Answer

Salt doesn’t neutralize acid chemically, but by reducing bitterness and harsh compounds, coffee feels less aggressive. It may help for those sensitive to acidity. Use gentle beans + small salt amounts.

Launching Winter 2025

Coffee Salt for Better Tasting Brews

Explore our salt blends

Coming Soon!

Ionic Brews™ Coffee Salt Minerals, proudly crafted in the U.S., transform ordinary tap or bottled water into the perfect base for coffee brewing.

Our precise mineral blends balance ions such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium to highlight the unique flavors in light roast, espresso, cold brew, and more.

Every blend is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and made without additives or preservatives.

Brew with confidence knowing your water meets the Specialty Coffee Association’s standards.

Nationwide and international shipping is available.

Ionic Brews