Calling all salt lovers.
Kirin Holdings 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 as you bite, amplifying the delicious notes of salt and umami in every bite without adding extra sodium.
In a country where around 90 percent of people consume more salt than is recommended, the cool gadget could be a kitchen lifesaver for those trying to cut back.
A high sodium diet can lead to increased blood pressure and a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. 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 could have the same impact as taking blood pressure medication.
This new spoon, launched in Japan earlier this year, was born in 2019 amid concerns about the excessive salt intake in the average Japanese diet.
Researchers at Meiji University surveyed individuals trying to reduce their sodium intake and found that 80% of them were dissatisfied with the taste of their meals. Respondents ranked ramen noodles and miso soup as the top two foods they craved but often avoided because of their high salt content.
The Electric Salt Spoon aims to enhance the taste of low-sodium diets without canceling 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 turned on, the spoon offers users four levels of “saltiness” to choose from. Electric current passes through the food from the tip of the spoon and the inside of the bowl holding it.
Early reviews are overwhelming.
USA Today’s Jennifer Jolly tested the spoon and found that the electric shock made her miso soup taste saltier than 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 everyday use.
They also complained that the spoon won’t activate if not held properly.
Matt Binder of Mashable described the experience as leaving him looking like “a giant baby,” awkwardly clutching a spoon in his fist with soup running down his chin. He also admitted it was saltier than his initial taste test without the device.
Kirin’s electric salt shaker not only impressed attendees, but also caught the attention of the judges, winning awards in the Digital Health and Accessibility and 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 demand.
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