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fredag, september 20, 2024

Salt in tea? U.S. chemist’s recipe brews controversy in U.Ok.


LONDON — An American chemist brought about a stir right here on Wednesday together with her suggestion that the common-or-garden cup of tea might be improved with salt, prompting shocked headlines from British information retailers and an intervention by the U.S. Embassy in London.

Ingesting tea in Britain, in fact, is nearly obligatory — the very first thing that the majority cheap Brits do once they come house is to fireplace up the kettle. Making a great cuppa is one thing that many right here imagine they do very nicely, thanks very a lot.

However Michelle Francl, a chemistry professor at Bryn Mawr School in Pennsylvania with a brand new guide on tea, has advised strategies for making an ideal brew which can be unfamiliar to many Brits.

She suggested that including a splash of salt may assist the tea to style much less bitter. She went additional, recommending a squeeze of lemon, which helps to take away the “scum” that may sit on the floor of the water. She can also be a fan of vigorous dunking and squeezing of the tea bag.

Tea-loving Brits have been notably distressed.

“American scientist reveals her secret to the proper cup of tea … however including sizzling milk and SALT dangers leaving Brits at boiling level,” a headline within the Each day Mail stated.

Sensing a possible diplomatic incident, the U.S. Embassy in London issued “an vital assertion on the newest tea controversy.”

“Tea is the elixir of camaraderie, a sacred bond that unites our nations. We can’t stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the very basis of our particular relationship,” the embassy stated on X, previously Twitter.

“Due to this fact we wish to guarantee the great individuals of the UK that the unthinkable notion of including salt to Britain’s nationwide drink isn’t official United States coverage. And by no means shall be.”

However the nation that after upon a time threw British tea overboard couldn’t resist stirring up just a little bother. The embassy added that its employees would “proceed to make tea within the correct method — by microwaving it.”

The British authorities joined in on the enjoyable, writing in a publish, “We respect our Particular Relationship, nevertheless, we should disagree wholeheartedly. … Tea can solely be made utilizing a kettle.”

On Wednesday night, “microwave” was trending on British Twitter. Some famous that this wasn’t the primary time Individuals have trolled Britain by suggesting it’s acceptable to microwave a cup of tea. And after an American TikTok parody about making tea with powdered lemonade, cinnamon, the delicate drink Tang, British officers known as out the army to make clear the state of affairs.

Francl appears to be critical about her tea recommendation. In her new guide, “Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea,” she paperwork tea-making practices that date again greater than 1,000 years. She advises utilizing quick mugs, with much less floor space, to assist hold the tea heat, and she or he says warming up the cup beforehand is vital because it will increase the quantity of caffeine and antioxidants launched.

Throwing warning to the wind, Francl bravely weighs in on the Nice Milk Debate and concludes that it’s higher to pour milk in first and never final, however she beneficial utilizing heat milk to cut back the possibilities of it curdling.

Francl has advised that practices on either side of the Atlantic may enhance. “You get some terrible cups of tea within the U.S.,” she advised the Each day Mail. “Individuals right here usually use lukewarm water straight from a faucet. It’s horrific.”



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