A barista has revealed the secret to the perfect cup of coffee is not sugar but salt, adding a pinch of it can ‘work wonders’.
While most wouldn’t dream of seasoning their coffee with the same condiment they put on their chips, a barista at Tri Coffee shop in South West London, Caspar King, explained that salt can transform the flavour profile of a regular cup of joe.
Speaking to coffee bean retailer, Coffee Friend, Casper shared how people can make the perfect cup of java at home.
He said it all begins with the beans and how they are prepared. ‘Good coffee depends less on the specific drink and more on the bean quality, grind, and brewing. When it’s done right, you really can taste the difference,’ he said.
The taste can further be elevated by adding a little bit of salt to your brew, he continued, adding the common pantry staple can ‘soften’ the bitterness of the beverage.
‘Believe it or not, a tiny pinch of salt in the espresso can work wonders,’ he said. ‘Some people are more sensitive to bitterness, and salt helps soften those sharp notes. It can really open up the flavour to those who usually find coffee too harsh.’
Asked what coffee drinks have risen in popularity as of late, the barista noted ‘the flat white has really taken off’ and that it’s here to stay.
‘It’s a shorter drink that lets the bold espresso flavours shine through, while still giving you that creamy texture and sweetness from the milk.’
While most wouldn’t dream of seasoning their coffee with the same thing they put on their chips, a barista at Tri Coffee shop in South West London , Caspar King, said salt can transform the flavour profile of a regular cup of joe (Stock image)
However, Caspar prefers using whole milk over plant-based alternatives to make flat whites, even though lactose and dairy-free milks have also steadily been gaining in popularity.
‘Alternative milks are easily the biggest shift. Whether it’s for health reasons, dietary needs, or personal preference, more people are choosing oat, almond, coconut, or soya milk.
‘There’s also growing interest in syrups, and colder drinks no matter what the weather – but plant-based milks are leading the way.’
Some people’s coffee orders have been more unusual though. Casper noted a rise in people ordering iced cappuccinos, a particularly difficult drink to master given the challenges of steaming cold milk.
‘It might not sound that strange but it’s tricky to make as you can’t steam milk for that frothy cappuccino texture and then let it cool down. So it ends up watery and lukewarm. Plus, with foam on top and liquid underneath, it’s a bit of a mismatch in experience.’
It comes after a brand manager at Pimm’s left fans gobsmacked after revealing the proper way to serve the British summer classic.
The cocktail, Pimm’s No. 1 Cup is mixed with lemonade and served with cucumber, mint, orange, and strawberrie and served in a highball glasswever.
However, Zoë Hetherington, one of the company’s brand managers, has now claimed the right way to drink it is from a wine glass.
Speaking to coffee bean retailer, Coffee Friend, Casper revealed how people can make the perfect cup at home. Stock image
This means you can get a larger serving of the garnishes.
The drink should also be served from a carafe, rather than a jug, according to Diageo, the parent company of Pimm’s.
The brand has now crafted its own line of serving sets created in collaboration with tennis-pro-turned-artist, Gabriella Taylor.
Each limited-edition set contains two wine glasses and a carafe.
The designs were originally hand-painted by Gabriella on canvas, then digitised and printed onto the glassware.
These decorations include strawberries, mint sprigs and cucumber slices, alongside fruit-filled trophies, tennis rackets and players.
The serving set, according to the brand, ‘offers fans a creative way to enjoy Pimm’s at home’.
Gabriella’s work will also be on show at Wimbledon, appearing at the ‘Pimm’s on The Hill’ bar at The Championships.
Pimms is the official cocktail of many British summertime events – including Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show, and Henley Royal Regatta.
