How to remove unwanted aftertaste from food

So I've just finished making about a liter of hot chocolate (lets ignore why for a minute here), and I've stored it in my refrigerator, inside a plastic bottle that was once used to store orange juice. Although I cleaned and rinsed the bottle as well as I could before using it, the hot chocolate has taken on an orange-y aftertaste. It's by no means inedible, but unwelcome nonetheless.

Is there any way to remove/mask the flavor? I'd hate to have to throw all this out.

chocolate hot-chocolate

Best Answer

There is probably no universal means. Don't store strongly flavored liquids in plastic bottles you would like to reuse.

In the specific case of hot chocolate, it is ammenable to a number of strong flavors which may mask the odd orangey aftertaste. I would recommend re-heating it with a pinch of cayenne pepper (really; hot pepper and chocolate go nicely), and perhaps a couple of cardamom pods if you enjoy their unique flavor.

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Quick Answer about "How to remove unwanted aftertaste from food"

You could also try canceling out the aftertaste with other odors or flavors, Running says, but you run the risk of creating a mixture that leads to “more unpleasantness.” One study from 2016 suggests that apples, mint leaves or lettuce are the best foods to eat to get rid of an aftertaste, because they contain ...

How do you mask a bitter taste in food?

Easy Ways to Reduce Bitter Taste in Any Food

1 Balance out bitterness with some fat.

2 Cover the flavor with sweetness.

3 Sprinkle some salt over your food.

4 Try a pinch of baking soda.

5 Squeeze in some vinegar or lemon juice.

6 Add some spice to your foods.

7 Cook with herbs to cut through the bitter taste.

How do you nullify a taste?

Pinch your nose as you eat or drink anything to neutralize a significant portion of the taste involved. When the taste is truly to be avoided, take a sip of a drink before un-pinching your nose to avoid any taste left on the tongue.

How do you balance bitterness in food?

The Fix: Balance bitter flavors by introducing something salty, sweet, or sour. For naturally bitter foods such as kale, you can soften the flavor by add a lemony vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and pomegranate seeds. You can also elevate kale by tossing it olive oil and salt, then roasting it in the oven until crispy.

How to rescue a salty dish

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