Find out why coffee tastes bad at room temperature

If you prefer coffee with milk or not, or whether you like it hot or cold, the truth is that we all agree that there are few things worse than drinking a cup of coffee at room temperature. All the wonderful flavor, aroma and enhancement of this drink seem to disappear in this condition. In this sense, experts can explain why coffee tastes different at room temperature. Check it out below!

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Find out why coffee tastes different when consumed at room temperature

In fact, there are numerous scientific theories as to why room temperature coffee is inherently inferior. When the temperature of the coffee reaches room temperature, it is no longer cold. According to experts, a change in temperature causes the pH balance of the drink to change, making the taste unpleasant.

Experts Explain Why Room Temperature Coffee Doesn't Taste Good!

Lactones are chemicals that contribute to a characteristically sour taste. So, as the coffee cools, these chemicals break down, becoming carboxylic and chlorogenic acids, resulting in a more bitter taste.

Thus, it is worth mentioning that foods in the ranges of 18ºC to 30ºC are more perceived by the taste buds. This means that when at higher or lower temperatures, we are simply not feeling all of the beverage's flavor compounds. This includes bitter taste receptors, which may be picking up more flavor nuances from the coffee.

Another factor is the role that smell plays in how we perceive flavors. Hot coffee tends to produce more aromatic compounds. These aromas will produce stronger flavor responses when consumed with a hot cup of coffee.

Finally, another reason why coffee at room temperature may not be the most pleasant to the taste may be linked to the evolutionary process of human beings. According to experts, our ancestors ate food at room temperature, and our taste buds evolved to respond to flavors differently at this temperature.