Why doesn't coffee taste as good as it smells?

Boy, I sure wish I knew! It does smell really great, now that you mention it. But the first time I tasted it, I was really grossed out, lol! The only coffees I like are flavored things, like cappucino. I love a good cappucino. But regular coffee, ew! I still remember picking up someone's cup at an event one time, as all our cups were the same styrofoam ones, and the drink was the same color as the pop I had been drinking. Imagine my surprise when I picked up the cup I thought was mine and took a big swig of coffee, ewww! Gross. I just don't like the stuff, lol! And that's not such a bad thing now, since I have to keep away from caffeiene except in small amounts.

I think our taste and smell are not as much the same as we expect. Have you ever tasted perfume? It's awful! I used to drink coffee and after a number of years I realized that if I had to put a lot of sugar and cream in it that I didn't really like it. But I still drink tea with plenty of sugar (and milk, if hot tea.) I think tea does taste like it smells. It doesn't have such an aromatic quality as coffee.

Yes this is strange, coffee smells great but it never taste as good, I still like its taste but it never match the smell.. you know smell and tasting are very related, when someone having a flue and can't smell good they lose interest in coffee.. I guess without the smell of it would have never been so popular :)

Well, all I know is that I was told that taking a bag of coffee and opening it and leaving it in my car over night would remove this god awful smell from the car. Now, I figure anything that could remove that smell, well, there is NO way it could ever taste as good as it smells.

i know exactly what you mean! yeah i was curious about that too.. coffee is bitter! well i think it is.. but boy would i wish it tasted the same as it smells.. that way i'd be drinking coffee the whole time. maybe the taste is something that makes you addicted to it.. something in the caffeine.. or maybe because the thing that makes you awake is what is taste..

You're not the only one. I love the smell of coffee, but can't stand the taste. It's the bitterness. I'm oversensitive to bitterness and foods that other people are happy eating sometimes just make me shudder all over when I try them. Sometimes a food is too bitter for me even when other people don't taste any bitterness at all.

haha yah ive always wondered the same thing. the smell of coffee is intoxicating..its really amazing. but the taste is definitely not like the smell..its much more bitter. i wish it tasted like it smelled! then i might be addicted...

I have no idea because honestly, I've never tasted coffee. I have to admit that I'm not a fan of the smell, though. If I don't like the smell, I surely won't like the taste.

It's true. Coffee taste and smell are two separate things. When you become addicted to coffee the way I am, you don't care about the difference and the smell still makes your mouth water and want that yummy taste. I love it.

For me coffee taste as good as it smells. I just love coffee. I can't drink every single coffee, some are not good. I like my own coffee, starbucks coffee, espresso and cappuccino in few places. When I am on road and stop for coffee, sometimes I can't finish it because is not fresh or doesn't taste good.

i am like you. i love the smell of coffee...it makes me want to drink it...like it's a magical drink-me pheremone lol. but the taste almost always disappoints me. i drink coffee once in a while, and don't dislike it, but wish the taste was closer to the heavenly aroma!

Well i dont find it odd. But the fact is i found it odd when i had it without appropriate proporations. That way it lot depends on how you prepare it and how you got used to it. I take it with milk and instant coffee powder and sugar.

To me it doesn't, but I like to drink it b/c it helps me start my day off, so when i fix me a cup I add a bunch of sugar amd creamer so that i can bearly taste the actual coffee taste!!

I'm not sure if I follow you here. Coffee contains many trace minerals and an astounding amount of complex organic chemicals that it's only natural that its actual taste will differ considerably from its odor. That's why such inventions as Coffeemate proliferate, to cover for the fact that coffee doesn't really taste that great by itself. Starbucks has made a fortune by dressing up coffees as lattes, espressos and other concoctions. Just get your favorite Coffeemate flavor (I prefer the cocoanut variety and would prefer Irish Creme but somehow stores have stopped carrying tghat flavor, don't ask me why) and enjoy the experience. In short, don't drink it black.

its because of its nature.

I actually love coffee but it has to be good coffee. I don't like instant coffee. I like Tim Horton's. The only thing I find is if I have eaten something sweet before hand then the coffee tastes more bitter. That's why I only have 1 a day and that is first thing in the morning. But yes you are right the smell of coffee is soooo good.