I grab a cup coffee from a shop and it’s ruined because the barista is wearing cologne or perfume that inevitably has gotten on the cup and it’s all I can smell when I take a sip. I guess 2 things, this means 1 they haven’t thoroughly washed their hands, and 2 I can’t drink the coffee because it smells so bad and I have to throw it out. Not sure why, but I haven’t had this happen with any other type of food/drink, just coffee.
I’ve literally never had this happen in my life. I also can’t imagine how it would even be possible unless the person working at the shop is physically spraying the cups with cologne.
I don’t wear it myself, but I think a lot of people apply it by putting it on their hands then “dabbing” it on their neck, face…ect… Then they touch the cups. At first I thought it was just at one shop, then it kept happening at different places. I wonder if has something to do with the cup being warm, maybe it’s more likely to have the scent stick to it or something.
I personally suspect your bloodhound nose is to blame
I’ve had that happen with what i assume was a hand lotion because there was a particular part of the lid that smelled.
I don’t know why other people are treating you with so much disbelief. This absolutely can happen with people not thinking about how their habits impact what customers are consuming. With how many millions of coffee beverages that are served every day, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that some small portion are handled improperly with poor hygiene. It also shouldn’t be overly surprising if you’ve had it happen multiple times because you likely visit the shops near you. Such an event isn’t random and is the result of someone’s bad habits.
Lotion is particularly weird. Not sure what they put in it, but just smelling it makes my lips numb for a few minutes.
I don’t buy coffee much, but I also have a pretty sensitive sense of smell so I know what you mean when you say it ruins the coffee. Can you bring your own travel mug and pour the coffee into it? Since the barista isn’t touching the coffee itself the smell should go away entirely if you get rid of the cup.
Yes, happens quite often and not just with coffee, but also soda cups.
Typically it’s lotion and my wife is allergic to Bath & Body Works lotions and has had full blown asthma attacks from a cup being handed into our car.
if you pour the coffee into a second fresh coup, is it ok then?
Ya, i have done that before if I have the option, lol. But if i’ve gone through the drive through, a lot of the time I don’t. I actually make all my coffee at home now, so I don’t really have to deal with this anymore.
For the drive through you can just ask them to give you two cups, for “insulation” or whatever, the barista doesn’t care.
Could it be hand lotion that you are smelling?
Those paper cups (and sleeves) have a tendency to dry one’s hands out if you work with them all day…
I’ve never had this happen, but my barista’s cologne is coffee so there’s also that. I’d mention it and tell them I can taste their cologne. If It happens on two occasions, I wouldn’t go back.
I haven’t, but then again, all the places I frequent have staff who constantly wash their hands! I see them at the sink a lot while sipping on my coffee.
yes! YES!
I have serious issues with fragrances. Artificial fragrances in particular (i.e. most ones) but even essential oils get to me after a while. When I’m around cologne, air freshener, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner fumes, I can taste it for quite a while. It’s completely vile. Extended exposure makes my eyes red, my lips swell a bit, and just a little makes me start oddly salivating. I guess it’s some sort of allergy, maybe MCAS, but this sort of thing is very difficult to get diagnosed. Some doctors have acted like I have some sort of uh… misphonia but for smells, but no, I can detect scents quite accurately. One reason I may be sensitive is I’m not completely swamped in 10 different fragrances 24/7 like most people.
The only thing that really works is to wash my nose out with water. Not super sanitary, but it’s better than salivating and tasting perfume for an hour. I have found that taking antihistamines reduces my sensitivity… I can still detect the fragrances, but get less of a reaction. That’s a clue. Oh, and also I have 3 different autoimmune disorders… I’ve asked around and the only people I’ve gotten a “yes, that happens to me too” response from are people with MS.
Robot baristas
Mechabaristas!
Do you keep hand cream or lotion in the vehicle?
I can gladly say that I’ve never had this happen. I can’t imagine how awful it must be to drink a coffee and all you smell is some cologne
