US scientist recommends adding salt to make perfect cup of tea - BBC News
US scientist recommends adding salt to make perfect cup of tea - BBC News
The US Embassy describes Prof Michelle Francl's suggested tea recipe as an "unthinkable notion".
As an American (and filthy microwaver of tea, though I do have a kettle now) I just stopped scrolling in the hopes of witnessing some rage at the idea, but everyone's being really reasonable. My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.
Dude, I've been experimenting with different mixes of ginger and cinnamon. People obsess about water temperatures. Tea drinkers like nothing but ideas for more posh things to do to their drinks. "Pinch of salt" is just snobby enough that I can't wait to try it and tell it to all my friends next time I'm complaining about a lackluster café order.
The big issue I see, and it's a PR thing, is it coming from the US. That alone may disqualify it. We'll have to see.
Yeah we're not exactly known for our tea here, unless it's in a harbor or so full of sugar it's not even really tea anymore, so I can see it not going over that well. I just made a cup but it's one of my favorite kinds and I'm too afraid to try the salt in case it ruins it.
"Pinch of salt" is just snobby enough that I can't wait to try it and tell it to all my friends next time I'm complaining about a lackluster café order.
See, this is why I love the internet, it allows me to find my kin. I relish in learning enough about a niche thing that I have enough discernment that I can be a bit of a snob, if I wish.
Temperature is a state function. It is completely irrelevant if you boil or microwave you water.
We will continue to microwave because science
Microwaves don't hurt the water any.
The world is in a bad place - war, famine, climate change and now this fucker is trying to start WWIII.
Scientifically it makes sense.
But I'd rather take a walking holiday in Milton Keynes than do it.
"rather take a walking holiday in Milton Keynes"
Nice, I'm stealing this one
I can imagine living in a world where this is the top point of conflict across the globe. No wars, no famine, no climate change, no oppression... Just, "can you believe this twat saying we should put salt in tea!?!"
And once we've solved that conflict and everyone is on the right side of history, the true conflict can begin between the virgin Tea Salters and the chad Salted Tea Enjoyers.
"I have had better cups of tea at service stations in Ireland than I have had at fancy restaurants in the US."
Ha, burn.
Well if nobody else is brave enough to try it, I'll give it a go in the morning and report back. Never let it be said that I shy away from a good bit of sciencing!
...Okay tomorrow at work I will give it a go. If salt makes tea taste better I will be so mad!
Edit: Well that ruined it. It does get rid of that slight bitterness. I liked that bitterness
literally couldn't make it taste worse, amirite?
Well it did. Its just a regular crap cup of tea now instead of a nice cup of crap tea.
Why would you want to take away the tiny bit of bitterness that tea has?
I tried it. It did seem to work. I will try a few more times and record whether I detect bitterness or not. Ideally I would conduct a blind taste test but I don't want to change my ritual too much.
That article was actually more amusing and informative than I was expecting!
Damnit. Now the Royal Navy in on the way to dump our tea in Boston Harbor.
Funny enough, a pinch a salt in coffee is a US Navy thing. Tried it, but must have overdone it.
"We want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain's national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be," the embassy said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Getting ahead of a diplomatic crisis. Good idea.
This actually makes sense. I might be able to enjoy tea with this trick, rather than just feeling like I am drinking the remnants of some other drink.
and coffee
I don't drink much tea, but a lil pinch of salt DEFINITELY makes coffee better. It makes shitty coffee less shitty and good coffee even better.
Mans getting bare rude yeah? Whos endz you think ur in bruv? The disrespec. We gonna make 1812 look like a fuckin' joke, you know what I'm sayin fam?
This comment gave me the ick
Ha ha ha ha. No.
and coconut milk, a little curry, some stir fried veggies, a soft boiled egg, and ramen noodles. Perfect cup of tea. Just ask Gordon Ramsey.
I heard in Boston they not only add salt but also some molasses. Wonder what that might taste like
Historically, in Boston, they add the salt by chucking the tea in the harbour.
But only after they get told they can’t genocide westwards.
Salty and sweet
Absofuckinglutely not.
Also why does the thumbnail show someone touching the teabag with their finger...
Gotta squeeze all the tea out!
So that it's bitter? So that you have a reason to put salt in it?
Squidge against the side of the mug
I put a pinch of salt in my coffee.
https://www.thekitchn.com/alton-brown-coffee-tip-salt-267757
Alton Brown FTW