What cum tastes like & how to make it better

Scenario: your guy loves it when you go down on him, and you love to give. There’s just one small (giant) issue: his cum tastes bad—or at least, you find it stronger or funkier than other cum you might have tasted. No shame in taste-testing around town, know’m sayin’? Now while I’m not one to encourage the stigmatization of natural bodily tastes and smells, facts are facts: sometimes bad-tasting cum can be a function of one’s diet, or, in some cases, might indicate less-than-optimal health. The good news is that often enough, a few lil' adjustments is all it takes to sweeten the pot. So to speak.

In certain situations (i.e. where sex is the sole basis of your relationship), it may be tempting to call a bad taste a dealbreaker and move on—but not so fast. Whether dude’s your lover, your soulmate, or both, there ain’t necessarily a reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater. You know, so to speak.

What a man’s cum tastes like

Depending on your man’s natural makeup and what he puts into his body, his cum can range from salty like seawater, to bleachy, metallic, bitter, sour, or sweet. Not to mention, it can vary from one day to the next—a veritable treasure-trove of flavors. Why? Because what he consumes on a daily basis can change the chemical composition of his semen, straight up, which in turn can influence how he tastes. That said, since different people process food and other substances differently, even people with similar diets and habits will vary, y’know, taste-wise. In other words, although semen is typically warm and salty, there will be unique differences in flavor.

General practitioner Dr. Shirin Larkhani explains that although the taste of semen can vary wildly from one person to another, there are certain commonalities which indicate your man's cum is healthy. “Several fluids combine with sperm to make semen, each influence the way it tastes,” she says. “The sperm pass through the vas deferens and into the ampulla - where an antioxidant that develops in mushrooms is produced. This may give semen a slightly mushroomy taste. “The ampulla also adds fructose which may create a sweeter taste. When someone ejaculates more bodily fluids are added from the prostate gland and seminal vesicles which can again alter the taste and smell. It has a bleach like smell due to the alkaline content.” She also adds that healthy semen is often “cloudy white or grey fluid which is thicker than water, and almost jelly-like,” but that it can be a little yellowish too.

How to make his cum taste better

Ultimately, if your guy’s nectar is less-than-delish, consider tactfully introducing some of the following strategies for making him taste better—you can both thank me later.

1. Diet

Although there’s not a lot of research out there which demonstrates the connection between diet and cum flavor (not to mention, it’s hard to study, since flavor is largely subjective), it’s generally agreed that the following foods may cut down on semen’s natural alkalinity levels, thus rendering its taste less bitter: celery, parsley, wheatgrass, cinnamon, nutmeg, pineapple, papaya, and oranges—to name just a few. Conversely, some of the foods that reportedly give semen a musky or bitter smell and taste include: garlic, onions, high-sulfur foods like broccoli and cabbage, leafy greens, asparagus, meat, dairy products, and highly processed food. This doesn't mean your partner necessarily has to alter his diet in any drastic sense, but it’s worth experimenting with switching up what he consumes in the day(s) before you taste him, or with perhaps simply cutting down on certain foods.

2. Alcohol, cigarettes & coffee

As far as alcohol and cigarettes go, it’s generally agreed that they’re not good for you anyway, am I right? And while a coffee a day is not a negative for most people, abusing any of these three commonly consumed substances can make his cum taste really bitter, pungent, or sour—in addition to causing smellier sweat. Although evidence is largely anecdotal, hard liquor is said to have more of an impact on the flavor of his cum than beer or wine does, and as far as caffeine goes, some recommend avoiding it for just a few hours before going down on each other. As an aside, alcohol has been shown to have a negative effect on your sperm motility, quality, and quantity, while smoking cigarettes can adversely affect male fertility. Hot tip: if you share some of these habits, try cutting down or eliminating the worst offender together. And, y’know, replace it with sex.

3. Hydration

Research has shown that semen is made up of roughly 98% water, so if your guy isn’t drinking enough of it (y’know, the recommended 8-10 glasses daily), his cum may not taste so good. Staying really well-hydrated can help make his cum more abundant, and, since it’ll be more watered down, the taste and smell of his heavy load (yes, I said heavy load) will be less strong. While there is no magic formula for how much water a given individual needs, generally speaking, more is better.

Bottom line: although the flavor of cum can vary a lot from one person to another, a healthy diet and lifestyle—along with good hygiene, of course—may make the taste and smell more palatable. Because sex should be hot ’n sexy, rather than an endurance sport. The best part is, adding more fruits and spices, cutting down on harmful or addictive substances, and increasing one’s water intake are a win-win, since they’re bound to boost overall health in the process. My suggestion: join your man on his mission and get onboard with these healthy practices yourself. I bet your own sexual health will improve in ways you might not ever have expected! The inevitable result: hotter sex for all. <3