Fighting palate fatigue

Taste buds resigned?

For the love of great taste, even thinking about coffee burnout is awful and daunting, but it happens and there's always light at the end of this tunnel. 

Why does it happen though? Should I run? What to do???

It occurs when your taste buds become accustomed to the flavor of coffee, making it more difficult to taste the subtle nuances of different beans or brew methods. 

 

This will be dramatic but... take a break.

Sometimes the best way to overcome coffee burnout is to take a break from drinking coffee altogether. It sounds tragic, but yeah this allows your taste buds to reset and become more sensitive to the more subtle flavors in coffee.

You don't have to completely cut out coffee, but you may want to limit your consumption or switch to a different beverage for a few days or even a week. Not happy to admit I might be an enabler here. 

A little gear cleaning never killed anybody

We take showers, don't we? I hope you do because it's good to feel clean!  Over time, coffee oils can build up in your coffee equipment, affecting the taste of your brew. Make sure to regularly clean your coffee maker, grinder, and other equipment to ensure that you're getting the best possible flavor from your beans. 

Did you drink water today?

Drinking plenty of water can help prevent coffee palate fatigue. Coffee is a diuretic, meaning that it can cause you to lose water and become dehydrated. This can make it more difficult to taste the flavors of coffee. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you're drinking a lot of coffee.

Try something new

One of the reasons why coffee palate fatigue occurs is because we get used to the same flavors and aromas. To combat this, try experimenting with different types of coffee beans or brewing methods. If you need a brewer idea, we have a complete collection of products, you can check them out here. 

Take notes, and talk to yourself.

If you're trying different coffee beans or brew methods, it can be helpful to take notes on what you're tasting. This can help you to better identify the subtle differences between different types of coffee and prevent palate fatigue. You can also write some positive affirmations and stay motivated. "I am a great coffee tester", "I am strong" and "I can make a decent espresso" they'll do wonders. 

Pair coffee with food

Pairing coffee with food can also help to prevent palate fatigue. This is because the flavors in food can help to reset your taste buds and make it easier to taste the flavors in coffee. Try pairing your coffee with a piece of dark chocolate or some strong cheese. Go crazy, try both! 

In the end, it's important to acknowledge our body's signs and respect them. Nothing bad lasts forever. Another mantra, this too will pass. Vary your diet in both food and drink and sure enough, you'll soon be tasting different tastes and wonder what you were ever worrying about.