People Are Outraged That an American Scientist Suggested Using Salt to Make a 'Better' Cup of Tea

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of tea being poured into a cup.Photo:Jakub Porzycki/getty

Jakub Porzycki/getty

An American scientist’s suggestion to add salt to tea has promoted a response from the U.S. Embassy in London.

Bryn Mawr College chemistry professorMichelle Franclpublished a book titledSteeped: The Chemistry of Teaon Wednesday, offering research-based advice on making the best cup of tea.

“Beginning with the leaves,Steepedexplores the chemistry behind different styles of tea, from green teas to pu-erh. It tackles the age-old question of when, or even whether, to add milk. And it puts the chemistry to use with advice on how to brew a better cup,” anofficial synopsis reads.

The Associated Pressreported that one of the suggestions Francl offers in the book is to add “a pinch of salt” to tea.

She also suggested serving tea in “a short, stout mug to preserve the heat” and pouring milk into the cup after the brewed tea, but her salt recommendation was what got the internet buzzing.

Good Morning Britaindiscussed the recommendation on air and shared a clip from their broadcaston X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “According to a U.S. expert, adding a pinch of salt is the answer to the perfect cup of tea. This feels like a crime.”

The U.S. Embassy in London also respondedon X, writing, “Today’s media reports of an American professor’s recipe for the perfect cup of tea has landed our special bond with the United Kingdom in hot water.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The response prompted the government of the United Kingdom’saccount on X to share their statement, writing, “We must disagree wholeheartedly… Tea can only be made using a kettle.”

source: people.com