Bitter coffee is not great. In fact, it ruins what is normally a pleasant way to start the day. But there is luckily a way to reverse the taste of an overly brewed coffee – and that’s with an ingredient found in every cafe and household. The answer is salt.

Salt can enhance the natural flavours of coffee, according to a new study from scientific journal Nature. The publication’s investigation revealed that sodium ions can suppress bitterness in coffee, specifically those that have been scalded in the brewing process. But just how much salt is important – it should never be more than a pinch.

“Simply adding a pinch, whether to cup or grounds, will take the edge off,” explains Food blog VinePair. But take it easy. “Anything more than a pinch and you’ll be salivating at the saltiness of your now-worse coffee.”

Craving a coffee now? See here for our guide to the best cafes around the nation.