Weird flu side effect - coffee - anyone else?

The Coffee Shop
1

Right, so 4 months ago I got the flu (also got covid for the first time 8mos ago, boo).

You know how you know you’re sick when you don’t want coffee, and how you know you’re getting better when you do want coffee? Well, when I got over this flu, my desire for coffee has not come back. Not even a little bit.

For context, I’ve been a coffee drinker for 15 years, and I’ve been pretty religious with 2 cups a day. Loved the taste, loved the ritual, loved the stimulant effects.

Since then, I’ve had a few suppliers etc. bring me a coffee (2 coffees a month vs. 2 a day…), and I’ve drunk them, but they’ve done absolutely nothing to rekindle my love for the bean. Even beyond this, I’ve got zero desire for caffeine any more. I’ve been drinking herbal tea like a fucking hippie.

What’s wild is that it’s not just the taste that’s ruined, but the whole kit and caboodle - the taste, the ritual, the caffeine. Simply gone.

Has anyone else had an illness completely ruin a food for them? Is this a thing?

3

Yeah, I didn’t have the smell/taste thing with covid, and didn’t with this flu either.

Smell and taste totally unaffected by the bugs.

4

It’s like alpha-gal syndrome except for coffee LOL

5

Not lost for good but I deal with somewhat regular migraines and when one hits coffee isn’t even in my vocabulary, even though I’m fine eating and drinking most everything else.

Thankfully my taste and desire does return.

6

Food poisoning from chicken salad made that a no fly zone for a decade for me. I can eat it now if required, but don’t think I’ll ever really like it again.

Migraines mostly killed coffee for me. It has to be a really good cup to tempt me now. Switched to tea for my caffeine fix.

7

No, it hasn’t happened to me, but I can imagine how you must feel! So sorry, and I hope that maybe in time, it will come back. :crossed_fingers:

8

I don’t know if I had the flu, but out of the blue I cold turkey quit drinking coffee. For the last 10+ years I would grind my beans each morning and make two cups via a Chemex and was pretty religious about the experience each morning.

Weird thing was I didn’t even quit caffeine and have been drinking two cups of early grey instead each morning.

Haven’t had a sip of coffee in nearly 9 full months now.

9

My wife’s mom became a vegetarian after her pregnancy.
She couldn’t stand the smell of meat being cooked.

I thought that was weird side effect.

10

was it intentional? or you just woke up one morning and didn’t do it?

I feel like I’ve heard of that one before, weird indeed!

11

I’m currently a week into a bout of COVID (my first). My senses of smell and taste are pretty messed up. This morning I had my first cup of coffee since getting sick and it tasted really off. I have a mixed relationship with coffee so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I don’t go back, but I do like the taste so it would be unfortunate if my sense of taste doesn’t return the same way.

12

Was not intentional, just kind of happened. Left my coffee setup as is for a few months even to see if maybe it would only last a few days or whatever, but never wanted any.

I’ll still think coffee smells good, but I have zero desire to have any.

1 Like