Lipton Settles the Debate: Does Salt Really Belong in Tea?

“Would you care for a pinch of salt in your tea?” This isn’t usually a question when tea is being served. Should it be?

Should You Add Salt to a Cup of Tea?

The combination of tea and salt has recently popped up on social media. Michelle Francl, professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, made the controversial suggestion in her new book, arguing that the sodium in salt counteracts the chemical process that makes tea taste bitter. “Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea,” published by the U.K.’s Royal Society of Chemistry, tells the history of tea tradition, explores the chemistry behind different styles of tea, and gives advice on how to brew a better cup.

Some British tea drinkers were in a bit of a tizzy at the thought of an American suggesting a spoonful of salt instead of sugar to improve the taste of their afternoon tea. According to the U.K. Tea & Infusions Association, the people of Britain drink about 100 million cups of tea every day and believe they know how it should be prepared. 

The British press was quick to express the blasphemy of this version of a brewed cup of tea.

The Guardian voiced their displeasure by saying,  “A scientist from the country where you can find tea being made with lukewarm water from the tap claims to have found the recipe for a perfect cuppa,” using a British reference to tea.

The kerfuffle over salt in tea was enough for the U.S. Embassy in London to issue a statement assuring British tea drinkers that the “unthinkable notion” was not official U.S. policy.

“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,” the embassy said. “Tea is the elixir of camaraderie, a sacred bond that unites our nations. We cannot stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the very foundation of our Special Relationship.”

The cheeky conclusion added a little fun when it stated it “will continue to make tea in the proper way — by microwaving it.” (The horror!) Yes, the tea drinkers of Britain recoil at the thought of Americans using a microwave to make tea.

Francl herself responded to the embassy's statement, writing on social media she didn't know her writing "would brew up such a storm." 

Tea Experts Weigh In

With our curiosity piqued, Allrecipes reached out to some tea experts about using salt in your tea. 

Etiquette expert Myka Meier  from Beaumont Etiquette says, “I personally think the salt may possibly ruin the tea and I wouldn’t advise to offer it to guests when serving it.”

Meier does point out that when it comes to serving tea, “Everyone certainly is allowed to have their own tastes and opinions on what tastes good and should be able to prepare their tea as they wish.”

Have any customers made a request for salt in their tea? Meier says, “Never once!”

We asked Peter F. Goggi, president of the Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc., what he thought of the science behind salt in a cup of tea.

“The beauty of tea is that it is flexible in how it is consumed. Many consumers use milk (good old strong British brews) or sugar, some use citrus. The variety of ways to consume tea is part of its appeal.”  

"Chemically, as the author of the book indicates, the addition of salt may react with some of the components of tea. The addition of salts would work differently in different types of water, e.g., hard vs. soft or even distilled/osmotically purified,” says Goggi. “However, to state that it makes it 'less bitter' is quite qualitative.” 

Gareth Mead, chief communications and sustainability officer at Lipton Teas and Infusions, tells us that tea should be enjoyed in a variety of ways according to personal taste. 

“Many Jamaicans love Lipton with condensed milk. In Turkey, it's preferred without any milk at all. I even know of someone who dunks buttered bread into their hot cuppa. Perhaps that's a step too far.”

Should you use a pinch of salt when brewing a cup of the most popular brand of tea in America? 

Mead responded, “Tea is incredibly versatile and there's no right way to enjoy it. So, if someone wants to try it with a pinch of salt, that's great. However you brew it is ok with us.”