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Calling all salt lovers.
Kirin Holdings Company is electrifying the food scene at the annual CES tech conference in Las Vegas with an innovative gadget that promises to literally shock your taste buds.
The Electric Salt Spoon works by sending a gentle electric current to your tongue while you slurp, amplifying the savory salty and umami notes in every bite without adding any additional sodium.
In a country where an estimated 90% of people consume more salt than recommended, the snazzy utensil could be a culinary lifesaver for those trying to cut back.
A diet high in sodium can lead to increased blood pressure and a higher risk of heart disease and strokes. Studies have also linked high salt intake to an increased risk of diabetes, dry and itchy skin, and a weakened immune system.
In 2023, researchers even found that cutting just one teaspoon of salt a day can have the same impact as taking blood pressure mediation.
This new spoon, launched in Japan in 2024, was born in 2019 amid concerns about excessive salt intake in the average Japanese diet.
Researchers at Meiji University surveyed individuals trying to reduce their sodium consumption and found a whopping 80% were unhappy with the taste of their meals. Respondents ranked ramen noodles and miso soup as the top two foods they wanted but often avoided because of their high salt content.
The Electric Salt Spoon aims to amp up the flavor of low-sodium diets without canceling out their health benefits.
While the device isn’t currently available in the United States, Kirin brought samples to CES to give attendees a taste of the electrifying product.
Once powered on, the spoon offers users four levels of “saltiness” to choose from. The electric current passes through the food from the tip of the spoon and from the inside of the bowl by holding it.
Early reviews are shocking.
Jennifer Jolly from USA Today tested the spoon and found that the electric jolt made her miso soup taste saltier than it would with a regular utensil – but it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
Jolly and other tech enthusiasts found the spoon to be bulky, uncomfortable and somewhat difficult to activate, raising concerns about its practicality for daily use.
They also complained that the spoon won’t be activated unless it is held just right.
Matt Binder from Mashable described the experience as leaving him looking like “a giant toddler,” awkwardly clutching a spoon in his fist with soup dribbling down his chin. He also admitted that it was saltier than his initial taste test without the device.
Kirin’s Electric Salt Spoon not only impressed participants but also caught the attention of judges, winning awards in the Digital Health and Accessibility & Age Tech categories at CES on Monday.
The spoon is just one of Kirin’s electrified tableware innovations, which also include chopsticks and bowls, but the company said it decided to market the spoon first to meet consumer cravings.
