It is no secret that Brits are very particular about how they take their cuppa. Nevertheless, the core ingredients always stay the same – tea bag, milk, water, with optional sugar. But one expert has advised tea drinkers to add one unusual ingredient to their mug – and it is not what you might expect.
The Unusual Ingredient: Salt
Professor Michelle Francl, a US-based scientist, conducted research revealing that adding a pinch of salt to your tea can improve its taste. The expert urges Brits to have an open mind before prejudging her suggestion.
The scientist explained that adding a pinch of table salt would counteract the drink's natural bitterness. This is because salt acts as a block to the receptor that makes 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."
Research and Book
The professor's research extended to a whole 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."
US Embassy Response
Following her controversial suggestion, the US Embassy wrote 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."
Additional Tips
But the professor has other tips to share – even if some may not appreciate her salt suggestion. The scientist suggested using loose leaves rather than tea bags and continuously stirring, ensuring the tea gets good exposure to the water and milk.
She added that a small squeeze of lemon juice can also remove any residue that often appears on the surface of tea.
The mug you pour your tea in reportedly makes all the difference, too. She said that using short, stout mugs keeps the tea hotter. According to the expert, warming up both the mug and milk helps too. She suggested adding the milk only after pouring the tea.
One habit she warned 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."
The expert ultimately praised the UK for its high-quality brews. "I know when I land I can get a great cup of tea. It is good to have that common ground," she said.
