There’s a bit of a trans-Atlantic controversy brewing over an American chemist’s new book called “Steeped : The Chemistry of Tea In it, she advises that brewing the perfect cup of tea involves adding a pinch of salt. She claims that the sodium blocks the tongue’s bitter taste receptors, improving the flavor of the tea.
The US embassy in London issued an official statement on the matter:
“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.
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.
Let us unite in our steeped solidarity and show the world that when it comes to tea, we stand as one,”
And the best part was the last line…
“The US Embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way — by microwaving it.”
