A scientist has some surprising advice on how to improve the taste of your tea, according to a US professor. It's no secret that Brits are extraordinarily fussy about how they enjoy their cup of tea. Yet the fundamental components remain unchanged — tea bag, milk, hot water, and sugar if desired.
However, one expert has recommended that tea drinkers introduce an unexpected ingredient to their mug — and it's likely to raise a few eyebrows. Professor Michelle Francl is an American-based scientist who carried out research suggesting that a pinch of salt added to your tea can actually enhance its flavour. The expert urges Brits to keep an open mind rather than dismissing her recommendation outright.
The scientist explained that incorporating a small pinch of table salt would neutralise the drink's inherent bitterness. This is due to salt's ability to block the receptor responsible for making tea taste bitter. "It is not like adding sugar," she told the BBC. "I think people are afraid they will be able to taste the salt," reports the Express.
The professor's findings were extensive enough to fill an entire book, 'Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea', published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. She added: "It is OK to experiment. I did experiments in my kitchen for this - channel your inner scientist."
In the wake of her contentious proposal, the US Embassy posted on X: "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."
Despite the backlash over her salt recommendation, the professor has plenty of further advice to offer. The scientist recommended using loose leaves rather than tea bags, and stirring continuously to ensure the tea is thoroughly exposed to both water and milk. She further noted that a small squeeze of lemon juice can help eliminate any residue that frequently forms on the surface of tea.
The choice of mug also apparently plays a significant role. She advised using short, stout mugs to keep the tea hotter. The expert also suggested that warming both the mug and the milk beforehand makes a notable difference, recommending that milk be added only once the tea has been poured.
One practice she cautioned against, however, was heating water in the microwave. She explained: "It's less healthy and it does not taste as good. You end up getting tea scum forming on the surface, and that scum contains some of the antioxidants and taste compounds."
Ultimately, the expert was full of praise for the quality of tea found across the UK. "I know when I land I can get a great cup of tea. It is good to have that common ground," she said.
