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

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.

How do coffee salts reduce bitterness?

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.

How much salt should I use per cup?

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.

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

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.

What types of coffee benefit most from salt?

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.

Will it make my coffee taste salty?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Will salt mask good qualities in high-quality coffee?

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.

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

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.

Why is my coffee too acidic?

Coffee often feels acidic due to chlorogenic acids, caffeine’s effect on the lower esophageal sphincter, and brewing that extracts too many acidic compounds. Water chemistry also matters—soft water exaggerates sourness, while minerals buffer acidity.

How do I make coffee less acidic?

You can reduce coffee acidity by adjusting your brewing water with minerals or alkalinity-boosting salt blends, choosing lower-acid beans, or brewing methods like cold brew and French press. Simple habits—like avoiding coffee on an empty stomach—also help reduce reflux and discomfort.

Does adding salt to coffee reduce acidity?

Yes. A small pinch of salt can reduce bitterness and soften acidity by altering flavor perception. For consistent results, mineral salt blends are more effective at buffering acid and stabilizing pH.

What are the best low acid coffee beans?

Brazil, Sumatra, and Mexico origin beans are naturally lower in acid. Darker roasts have fewer sharp acids, while natural-processed beans brew smoother than washed beans.

Does cold brew make coffee less acidic?

Yes. Cold brew extracts fewer acids due to its low-temperature steep. Research shows cold brew can contain up to 60–70% less acidity than hot coffee, making it gentler on the stomach.

Is low acid coffee better for your stomach?

Low acid coffee can be easier on the stomach by reducing reflux triggers and irritation. It doesn’t eliminate all acidity, but combined with water adjustments and smart brewing, it makes coffee more comfortable for many drinkers.

Early Access

About

Hi, I’m Sarah, a geologist born and raised in North Carolina. My inspiration for Ionic Brews comes from the intersection of my love of travel, geology, and the pursuit of making the perfect cup of coffee and tea. I had heard for years to add a small pinch of salt to coffee ground to minimize bitterness. I never thought to try other salts, much less try to change the salinity for tea.

I noticed the tea in the UK tasted stronger and I could never get ours to taste quite the same in the US- my scientific curiosity was piqued. I compared the water in the US and the UK and found the difference to be astounding! The UK was much richer in elements like calcium, sodium, and magnesium.

So, I purchased a few salts and rummaged through my pantry to test out salt recipes that mimicked the UK water. I prepared two cups for a blind taste test. I brewed two cups of Yorkshire Gold tea: one plain and one infused with my specially formulated salt blend. My husband tasted both and without hesitation, he pointed to the latter, exclaiming, "THAT ONE. That tastes just like the tea in Scotland!" That's when I realized I was onto something truly special.

I realized bicarbonate can increase pH, citric acid can bring out brightness, and sodium can neutralize bitterness. I started tweaking salt solutions to optimize flavor for coffee, tea, and minimize acid for my friends and family. Their response showed me I needed to share these with the rest of the world.

At Ionic Brews, I believe coffee and tea are more than just drinks — they’re daily rituals worth perfecting. By combining my geochemistry background with a passion for flavor, I create mineral blends that highlight sweetness, reduce bitterness, and bring out the natural character of your favorite brews.

Whether you’re chasing the bold depth of espresso or the delicate notes of green tea, my goal is to help you unlock a café-quality cup at home — no matter where in the world you are

About

Whether you’re chasing the bold depth of espresso or the delicate notes of green tea, my goal is to help you unlock a café-quality cup at home — no matter where in the world you are

Ionic Brews™, proudly crafted in the U.S., was founded on the idea that great coffee deserves great water.

With backgrounds in earth science and chemistry, we design mineral blends that enhance flavor and extraction without the guesswork.

Our products are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, preservative-free, and made with only high-purity food-grade minerals.

From home brewers to coffee professionals across the United States, our mission is to make specialty coffee accessible through better brewing water.

Ionic Brews