I Add a Pinch of This to My Coffee Every Single Morning for the Smoothest, Best-Tasting Cup (Nope, Not Sugar!)

Coffee can vary greatly in flavor depending on the quality of the beans, grind size, or roast date, as well as the terroir of the origin. Sometimes it’s fruity, bright, and tea-like, while other times coffee can taste creamy, chocolatey, and nutty. Despite a wide range of flavor notes, most if not all coffee has a consistent, distinct bitter quality and a slightly acidic aftertaste in the back of the mouth. And there’s one key ingredient that consistently pairs well with every single coffee I make: a sprinkle of Maldon Smoked Sea Salt

Salt might seem like an unexpected addition to coffee, but it works like magic to balance out the drink’s natural earthiness. A pinch or two of Maldon Smoked Sea Salt not only smooths the bitter and sometimes acidic edges of your brew, but it also adds a subtle, smoky complexity that makes each and every sip better.

This simple addition enhances the coffee’s natural flavors and brings out a gentle sweetness and deeper richness. (Bonus: Those delicate salt flakes can add the same smoky depth to your cooking, too.)

To be clear, I wouldn’t just add any old table salt to my precious drinks. I recommend high-quality flaky sea salt, like the iconic Maldon brand, of which Smoked Sea Salt is my most used kitchen and coffee seasoning. Whether I’m drinking hot or cold coffee, I add the pinch of sea salt as a garnish at the top of the glass or mug. 

You can also add salt to the bottom of the cup where you brew your espresso so it melts fully into the coffee. A pinch or two is all you need because of how strong the salt is. 

Once you start adding salt to your coffee, the possibilities are endless. I think of my coffee salt in the way some people might think of their coffee syrup options. Salt can be infused with any and all flavors — vanilla bean salt, lavender salt, rosemary salt — and will take your coffee to the next level. 

People often talk about infused salts as a fun tool for adding some zest while cooking savory dishes, but sweet-leaning salt infusions are some of my favorite kitchen staples. This Tahitian Gold Vanilla Bean Sea Salt is a good, luxurious starter option, or opt for a sampler pack and pocket the savory salts to upgrade your cooking and your coffee. Better yet, infused salts are incredibly easy to make at home. Next on my list is making matcha salt and chamomile-infused salt for my iced coffee concoctions.

Do you have a 1-ingredient coffee upgrade? Tell us about it in the comments.