An American scientist’s proposal to add salt to tea provoked a response from the American embassy in London.
Bryn Mawr College chemistry professor Michelle Francl has published a book titled Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea on Wednesday, offering research-based advice on making the best cup of tea.
“Beginning with leaves, Soaked explores the chemistry behind different styles of tea, from green teas to pu-erh. It addresses the age-old question of when or even if you should add milk. And uses chemistry with tips on how to brew a better cup,” reads the official synopsis.
The Associated Press reported that one of the suggestions Francl offers in the book is to add a “pinch of salt” to the tea.
Don’t Be a Toxic Mom About Girl Scout Cookies: ‘Kids Are Already Sensitive to Food Messages’
Francl explained that tea becomes less bitter by adding a small amount of salt because “the sodium ions in the [the] salt blocks the bitter receptors in our mouths,” writes the Associated Press.
She also suggested serving the tea in a “short, sturdy cup to preserve the heat” and pouring milk into the cup after the tea was brewed, but it was her salt recommendation that sent the internet into a frenzy.
Good morning Britain discussed the recommendation on air and shared a clip from their broadcast on Xformerly known as Twitter, writing: “According to an American expert, adding a pinch of salt is the answer to the perfect cup of tea. This seems like a crime.”
The American embassy in London also responded on Xwriting: “Today’s media reports about an American professor’s recipe for the perfect cup of tea have thrown our special relationship with the UK down the drain.”
25-year-old dancer with severe peanut allergy dies after eating mislabeled cookies
“Tea is the elixir of friendship, the sacred bond that unites our nations. We cannot stand idly by while such an outrageous proposal threatens the very foundations of our special relationship. We therefore want to assure the good people of the United Kingdom that the unthinkable idea of adding salt to Britain’s national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be,” their statement continued.
The embassy wrote that it would continue to show “strong solidarity” regarding the tea and joked: “The US Embassy will continue to prepare tea the proper way – by microwave.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The response prompted the UK government count on X to share their statement, writing“We must wholeheartedly disagree… Tea can only be made using a kettle.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education