I wouldn't underestimate the lingering taste perception and effects of the food stuck between your teeth from breakfast. If possible I like to use my Waterpik after a meal. My breakfast, however, is all liquid, so with a simple rinse I think I get a fairly "true reading" of my first cup. Elsewhere someone has posted about tongue scraping to get a more unfettered presentation of the cup.
bort99 Senior Member Joined: 25 Aug 2012 Posts: 3 Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Tue Oct 2, 2012, 11:37am Subject: Re: Coffee before breakfast (breaking the fast)
I've noticed the same effect and never thought twice about the answer: Food changes your palate.
In the wine world, this is something that's always being considered. People debate about pairings, you don't eat anything strong-tasting before heading into a tasting, and it's easily demonstrable that some foods have seriously dramatic effects that last for hours. Try sipping some wine, taking a few bites of blue cheese and then trying the wine again later on, long after all perceptible taste of the cheese is gone. It will be different.
It would be ridiculous to say that coffee isn't food-friendly. It is, by nature, just like wine. But I've noticed that bright, citrusy coffees really get dulled by some common breakfast foods—especially eggs (which are notoriously hard to pair with wine, too).
I sometimes pair my morning coffee with food on purpose. When the coffee is really good it stands alone. But when it is something less than ideal I will drink it with food. This can turn a cup of coffee that I don't really enjoy at all into wonderful tasting coffee. It's quite a remarkable transformation. I suppose it's the same reason people add sweeteners or cream to their coffee. I think of it as a crutch but it works so well that it doesn't bother me when I resort to it.
Some perfectly good wines are better paired with foods than they are alone.
But the OP seems to be saying that eating beforehand makes the coffee taste worse, without qualification.
TheBigDripper Senior Member Joined: 5 Jun 2012 Posts: 42 Location: Texas Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Bialetti 6-cup moka pot Grinder: Vintage Zassenhaus Drip: Too many too list
Posted Tue Oct 30, 2012, 8:48am Subject: Re: Coffee before breakfast (breaking the fast)
When I first crawl out of bed, it's one of two things: bathroom or coffee (depending on the urgency of the former :) ). I usually can't eat first thing after getting up, anyway...I have to be awake for a spell. And then, it's normally a bowl of Cheerios and blueberries (unless I'm really famished, then I'm forced to cook). But that first cup *always* comes before eating....and the taste defies mere words. But I would think anything eaten could affect its taste. Especially anything Seasoned with Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning. ;)
emradguy Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 1,727 Location: Houston Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: MacapM4T, Macap M4, OE Lido,... Drip: Espro press; Aeropress Roaster: internet
Posted Tue Oct 30, 2012, 9:59am Subject: Re: Coffee before breakfast (breaking the fast)
Coffee is breakfast! Food comes at least an hour later...at least for me. Of course, I always start my day with a cappa...so, there is some milk involved.
yakster Senior Member Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 1,006 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Factory / La Peppina... Grinder: Vario / Kyocera Vac Pot: Yama 8 + Pyrex Lox-in Rod Drip: Brazen / Kalita / Chemex /... Roaster: Behmor
Posted Tue Oct 30, 2012, 11:01am Subject: Re: Coffee before breakfast (breaking the fast)
Coffee before breakfast, for sure. I take my first cup before my shower and other morning abulations. The only things that come before the first cup is an early morning roasting session (if I can roll out of bed at five) and/or a bathroom break.
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