What’s Making My Biscuits and Muffins Taste Bitter? (2024)

Christine Gallary

Christine GallaryFood Editor-at-Large

Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. Follow her latest culinary escapades on Instagram.

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updated May 1, 2019

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Q: Sometimes when I bake, the finished product has a yellowish tint to it and is slightly bitter. This is most noticeable when I make biscuits or muffins, and it seems hit or miss whether this happens or not.

I’ve always attributed it to too much baking powder, but I’m not sure this is the culprit. Any ideas?

Sent by Charlene

Editor: Yes, chemical leavening agents like baking powder can impart a bitter taste! Try using less next time and see if it makes a difference.

Readers, what do you think is making the baked goods taste bitter and turn a yellowish color?

What’s Making My Biscuits and Muffins Taste Bitter? (2024)

FAQs

What’s Making My Biscuits and Muffins Taste Bitter? ›

Editor: Yes, chemical leavening agents like baking powder can impart a bitter taste! Try using less next time and see if it makes a difference.

Why do my biscuits taste bitter? ›

Since biscuits, scones and shortcakes should not be overmixed, it's very important to mix dry ingredients together well before cutting in the fat. If they are not well mixed, there can be pockets or lumps of ingredients; this is particularly true with leavening, which can lead to bitter or off flavors.

Why does my muffin taste bitter? ›

Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is the raising agent and this can sometimes taste bitter or soapy if the wrong quantity is used. Make sure that you measure the bicarbonate of soda with a proper 1 teaspoon/5ml measuring spoon and the spoon measurement should be level.

How do you get rid of bitter taste in baking? ›

Baking Soda

This is a good trick for if you're cooking and realize that you added too much of a bitter ingredient. Just mix in a pinch of baking soda before the dish is done to fix that! Be very careful not to add more than a pinch or two. Any more than that and your food likely won't taste very good!

What causes scones and biscuits to have bitter flavors? ›

That slightly bitter, kinda “tinny” flavor you often experience when biting into a muffin, biscuit or scone is the result of using a baking powder in high quantities — as is needed for these quick-rise treats — with aluminum in it.

How do you counteract a bitter taste? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

Why does dough taste bitter? ›

The most common cause is the presence of phenols, which are natural compounds found in wheat. Phenols are responsible for the bitter taste in whole wheat flour, and they're also what give whole wheat bread its characteristic color.

Does too much baking powder make things bitter? ›

One of the most common misfortunes among bakers is that they are using too much baking soda or baking powder. Know that too much baking soda or baking powder in cakes will not just lead to a metallic and bitter taste, but it can also make a big mess in the oven as it will rise beyond expectations.

Why does my flour have a bitter taste? ›

If your flour smells rancid or unpleasant, it's likely past its prime. If you've used the flour in a recipe and notice a bitter or off-putting taste in your baked goods, that's unfortunately also a strong indication your flour has gone bad.

Why is the bread I baked bitter? ›

Complaint is frequently made by those who use baking powders that they leave in bread, biscuit, or cake raised by them a disagreeable, bitter taste. This taste follows the use oí all impure baking powders, and is caused either by their containing alum (introduced to make a oheap article).

Why does everything suddenly taste bitter? ›

Dysgeusia is a taste disorder. People with this condition feel that all foods taste metallic, sweet, sour or bitter. Many things can cause dysgeusia, like smoking, medical conditions, medication or poor oral hygiene.

What is the reason for the bitter taste of cake? ›

Use of baking soda while baking or making cake, makes the cake taste bitter due to the formation of Sodium carbonate during heating. Hence, to neutralize the formed sodium carbonate and its bitter taste, we use tartaric acid.

Does vinegar help bitter taste? ›

Add Vinaigrette, Emphasis on "Vinegar"

Acidity can really bring a pleasant flavor out of bitter greens. If they're being used for a salad, it's good to add a vinaigrette with plenty of acidity to brighten it up. If you are sauteing, add some vinegar or citrus to the greens to finish them off.

What does a bitter flavor in biscuits indicate? ›

I've always attributed it to too much baking powder, but I'm not sure this is the culprit. Any ideas? Editor: Yes, chemical leavening agents like baking powder can impart a bitter taste! Try using less next time and see if it makes a difference.

What is the most common flaw when baking muffins? ›

Overmixing is a common problem with muffins. First combine dry ingredients, mixing well. Then combine liquid ingredients, mixing well. Finally combine dry and wet ingredients, by hand, using only 15 to 20 light strokes.

What is the solution for discolored and bitter tasting biscuits? ›

What is the solution? Discolored and bitter-tasting biscuits are caused by the chemical leaveners not properly mixed into the batter or an excess of leavener. The solution is sifting chemical leaveners with the dry ingredients.

Why does my cookie dough taste bitter? ›

There are a few reasons why cookie dough might taste bad . One possibility is that the ingredients themselves are n't fresh . Flour can go stale , butter can become rancid , and even sugar can lose its sweetness over time . Another factor could be the proportions of the ingredients .

Does baking powder add a bitter taste? ›

Yes it is the baking powder and/or baking soda used. The two are practically the same and both are used to make the batter rise while baking. But, unlike yeast that is natural these are chemical leaving agents that have a strong aftertaste and presence in the food.

Why do my biscuits taste metallic? ›

Have you ever baked something and noticed a weird metallic taste? Well, that was probably the taste of aluminum. There is an inexpensive and easy fix; next time you go to the grocery store buy aluminum-free baking powder.

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