STUDY: HERE’S WHY YOUR MORNING COFFEE TASTES FUNNY SOMETIMES 

Matt Case - Feb 3rd, 2025 - 9:06am PST 

Study: Genetics May Influence How Bitter Your Morning Coffee Tastes

If your morning coffee sometimes tastes off, your DNA may be to blame.

A new study suggests that the bitterness of coffee varies from person to person based on genetics. Researchers found that the number of bitter taste receptors in the mouth is determined by an individual’s genetic makeup, which could explain why some people reach for sugar, cream, or even pumpkin spice to balance out the flavor.

While baristas getting names wrong may still be a frustration, science now offers another reason why coffee doesn’t always hit the same way for everyone.