Flavored coffee leaves bad taste.


QUESTION:

I am a new coffee drinker and am puzzled by the fact that whenever I indulge in a flavored coffee, ie: vanilla, hazelnut, etc, it leaves a very unpleasant after taste similar to a bitter metallic taste. I do not have this problem when drinking regular coffee, thankfully. Is this common? And why is it only the flavored coffee that this occurs?

Thanks for your input.


ANSWER:

Interesting. It may be that you are super-sensitive to the chemicals they use to impregnate coffee beans with flavor.

No, most flavoured coffee is not flavored naturally. It is flavored with chemicals cooked up by chemists in white coats. Unfortunately, very few flavored coffees come by their exotic flavors naturally.

I don’t know whether the weird taste you are experiencing is because of these chemicals, but you might want to try some natural alternatives.

Learn about naturally flavored coffees...

Comments for Flavored coffee leaves bad taste.

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Flavors?
by: Simply coffee

I've become more sensitive/aware of the aftertaste. All the flavored coffee beans seem to have it and I notice some aftertaste in the syrups as well. That said, I do sprinkle cinnamon on my grounds before brewing. Nice flavor. No aftertaste.
Bitter flavored coffee
by: Anonymous

I read somewhere that a chemical called propelene glycol is added to many things to retard the evaporation of the flavoring. I’ve also detected the same smell I get from the flavored coffee in vape (e-cigarettes) and potpourri. It is a food-grade additive. Only a small number of people can smell or taste it.
Me too
by: Cornelius

I also experience that somewhat metallic bitter aftertaste with flavored coffees, so I avoid them. I have been convinced from the first that it is as a result of the chemicals they use for the flavoring.

I usually drink my coffee black, but when I do feel in the mood for flavored, I use a good coffee syrup.
Flavored coffee leaves bad taste
by: Sue

Thanks for the tip. I am a home-baker of cakes and such and can quickly detect artificial flavorings such as fake vanilla in store bought baked goods. So this is probably the same experience only with flavored coffee. I will try the vanilla extract idea next time the mood strikes for something flavored.
I am not a fan ..........
by: pistachio

of flavored coffee........

however,, for a while I used a few drops of real vanilla extract on top of the grounds before brewing....
and....
it worked well,, but don't use too much / experiment a little.....

ultimately though,, I stopped doing that!

pistachio

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At Coffee Detective, we explore coffees, coffee gear and coffee-making best practices. Our companion publication -- The Coffee Culture Newsletter -- explores the cultures, the rituals, and the human story of coffee.

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