To add flavor to a somewhat bland soup, say goodbye to the salt shaker and hello to the “electric salt spoon”. In any case, this is the object presented at CES in Las Vegas 2025 by the Japanese brewery Kirin, a priori better known for its beer than for its technological research. Their cover promises a 1.5 times stronger perception of the taste of salt.
The user can choose between four intensities of salty taste, as long as they touch the small metal tab under the spoon when eating and hold the handle firmly. It is in these two places that the small electrodes are located which pass a weak electric current, undetectable by the consumer. This current concentrates sodium ions on the taste buds that would otherwise be dispersed, and thus gives the impression that the dish tasted is saltier than in reality.
Given the surprised look of the testers at CES 2025, the spoon does seem to work, but some comments from the lucky ones deplore a handle that is too thick and difficult to hold in the hand.
Limit overconsumption of salt
Beyond the simple gadget, Kirin designed its spoon to help limit excessive salt consumption, which promotes hypertension and increases the risk of many diseases. In Japan, the adult population consumes almost 10 grams of salt per day, almost twice the maximum daily dose recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This electric cutlery, which has also been developed in the form of chopsticks from 2022, is currently not widely available for sale. A very small number of copies have been marketed in Japan only from June 2024. At nearly 20,000 yen, or around 120 euros per spoon, the bill is also steep.
Source: www.usinenouvelle.com
