why do my muffins taste metallic? (2024)

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Once again, it is not you but your baking powder sabotaging your awesome kitchen prowess. 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. Fortunately, aluminum-free brands such as Rumford or Bob’s Red Mill are easy to find, and are no more expensive. Or, you can just go rogue and make your own.

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  7. Meg

    I have been having this problem and I use Rumford, aluminum-free baking powder. I have been noticing it in the veggie muffins and pancakes I made for my toddler and they don’t have any sugar in them, could that be the reason?

  8. Erin

    I’ve never used baking powder. My entire family can taste its bitterness doesn’t matter if it is aluminum free. I half the baking powder and use baking soda instead and make sure there is something acidic. Often adding lemon juice or vinegar to the milk. I’ve never had an issue though I can’t really compare properly.

  9. Hana

    What is a difference between a biscuit and a scone? This question is from Australia. I think we call USA biscuits scones and biscuits are actually what americans call cookies……the recipes sound like scones. Please help

  10. Melody

    And if you’re getting with aluminum-free baking powder and soda?

  11. Penny

    I have a muffin recipe that makes 12 very full muffins. It was developed by an online blogger. It dry ingredients are 1 1/2 cups of white whole wheat flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ginger and 1.4 tsp salt. Wet ingredients are non-dairy milk, maple syrup, bananas, dates, grated carrots, grated zucchini, and crushed pineapple.
    The first time I made the recipe I noted the bitterness. The second time, I accidentally used baking soda in place of the baking powder. I also decreased the cinnamon by 1/2 tsp. It tasted a bit less bitter, but the unpleasant taste is still there a little bit.
    I’m believe the bitterness is probably the leavening ingredient, no batter if baking powder or baking soda, 2 teaspoons seem a lot to me for only 12 muffins. I also wonder it is too much cinnamon or the brand of cinnamon. I am using McCormick’s cinnamon, Rumsford (non-aluminum) baking powder or Arm & Hammer baking soda.
    Do you have any thoughts as to what might be causing this? Is 2 teaspoons of leavening for 12 muffins a bit to much? It seems like a lot to me.
    Thank you!
    Penny

  12. Orlock

    I had this issue and checked my baking powder and both brands in my cabinet had aluminum. However, I have been using one of these brands forever. I was going to just adjust the amount when I found out that I had accidentally bought ‘self rising flour’ and it ALSO had aluminum in the ingredients. I had been doubling the baking powder requirements and didn’t know it. My next batch I left baking powder out completely and they are back to their normal greatness. I dump most of my flour into a container, and didn’t notice until I grabbed the bag to refill.

why do my muffins taste metallic? (2024)

FAQs

Why do my muffins 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.

Why does my muffin taste like chemicals? ›

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.

Why does my cake taste like metal? ›

Remember also that too much baking soda in a recipe and not enough acid will still result in a soapy, metallic taste in the baked good. Thus, getting the right amount of baking soda in your baking is important, we don't want soapy tasting cakes!

Can baking soda cause a metallic taste? ›

It's also a little salty tasting. Overdoing it with baking soda can result in an extra salty or even metallic-tasting bake!

How to remove metallic taste in cake? ›

Try a little lemon or honey to balance/ neutralize the taste. It could be that your soda/powder isn't blended well enough. may be you are adding way too much of the rising ingredients like baking powder and soda into your cake batter.

Why do my muffins have a metallic taste? ›

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.

Why does my bread have a chemical taste? ›

Yeast contamination can occasionally occur in bread after baking which can produce a chemical smell that is similar to acetone. Yeast does not survive the baking process, but bread can become contaminated with "wild" yeast during the cooling, slicing or packaging processes (post processing contamination).

Why does my food have a weird metallic taste? ›

Metallic taste is a symptom of some food allergies. If you experience distorted taste after eating a certain type of food, such as shellfish or tree nuts, you may have a food allergy. Speak with a doctor if you believe you have an allergy. You may also have a metallic mouth after eating pine nuts.

How do you fix metallic taste? ›

Maintain good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing and tongue-scraping, to keep your mouth healthy. Stay hydrated to prevent dry mouth, which can cause a metallic taste. Swap out metal cutlery and water bottles, which can make metallic tastes worse. Try glass, plastic or ceramic versions instead.

Why does my cupcake taste weird? ›

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 do my muffins 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.

Is a metallic taste a symptom of anything? ›

Dysgeusia is when a person has a metallic taste in their mouth. It can happen for many reasons. In some cases, an underlying health condition or treatment for a disease can be the cause. Other causes include problems with oral health, such as mouth ulcers and dentures that do not fit correctly.

Is metallic taste a symptom of diabetes? ›

It's important that you don't ignore this taste disturbance, as it can indicate problems with blood sugar control. If you haven't been diagnosed with diabetes, yet you notice a metallic taste in your mouth, see a medical professional. This taste disturbance is sometimes an early sign of diabetes.

Why does my cake taste metallic after eating? ›

If you see a recipe that only uses baking soda & not baking powder, then you'll likely see an acid in the recipe as well. Acids can be buttermilk lemon juice, yogurt, natural cocoa or cream of tartar. You don't want too much baking soda in a recipe because it will leave a metallic aftertaste since it is a mineral.

Why does my cake taste like iron? ›

There are two possible reasons why the cake tasted metallic and these are the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) or the red food colouring. Bicarbonate of soda can have a metallic or soapy taste if it is not used alongside acidic ingredients.

What does it mean when your food taste like chemicals? ›

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.

Why does my cake taste chemically? ›

The reason is likely to be one of 2 possibilities: Baking powder acts twice in a cake. Once when it reacts with the acid in the baking powder (usually dry citric acid), and once in the oven during baking. If the cake was not heated enough, the leftover sodium bicarbonate will give that yuchy 'soda' taste.

Why might muffins have a soapy or bitter taste? ›

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.

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