Japanese company, Kirin has introduced an electric spoon at CES 2025 that makes low-sodium food taste saltier without adding any actual salt, marking a potential breakthrough in reducing sodium consumption.
The Electric Salt Spoon, which creates a saltier taste sensation through mild electrical stimulation, is currently available in Japan for approximately $127. The device aims to help people reduce their sodium intake while maintaining the familiar salty flavor in their food.
Kirin developed the spoon primarily for the Japanese market, where adults consume more than double the World Health Organization’s recommended daily sodium intake.
The technology behind the spoon has scientific backing – it won the 2023 Ig Nobel prize, an award for unusual scientific research. The original research, published in 2011, demonstrated how weak electrical currents could enhance the perception of saltiness in food.
The spoon features four intensity settings and operates by sending a weak electrical current through the food to concentrate sodium ions on the user’s tongue. A light indicator on the handle turns from blue to white when the device is properly activated, requiring a specific grip to complete the electrical circuit.
While it does sounds fascinating that you could make your food taste saltier, the device can only mimic the taste of salt, you’ll need to add all the other spices and flavours to food yourself. other spices or flavours can be added . It works the best with liquids like soups and sauces, and the food needs to have some salt for the effect to work. And, you need to wash the spoon by hand.
