Kirin Holdings, a beverage giant has launched the world's first commercially available electric spoon. This battery-powered spoon can make food taste salty without using any salt.
It's done by passing a very weak electric current through the spoon, which creates a salty taste for the tongue. Researchers say the spoon will help promote healthy eating, as people won't need to add salt to their food to get a salty taste. Over consumption of sodium had been a huge health concern all over the world as stated by WHO. The spoon has four different levels of saltiness for people to choose from.
The object was co-developed with Meiji University professor Homei Miyashita, who previously demonstrated taste-enhancing effects using electric currents in prototype chopsticks. He won the Ig Nobel Nutrition Prize last year.
A survey conducted by the company in 2021 revealed that people who try to limit their salt intake often complain that their food becomes tasteless. The spoon weighs 60g and operates on a rechargeable lithium battery.
Priced at 19,800 yen ($126), the spoon was brought to market after the company announced in 2022 that it had developed a chopsticks-like device to modify taste perceptions using an electric current.
Excessive salt consumption is a significant health concern in Japan. According to the health ministry, the average daily salt intake for individuals aged 20 and over is 10 grams, which is double the 5 grams recommended by the World Health Organization.
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