Japanese company Kirin Holdings has developed an electric spoon that enhances the salty taste of food without adding salt. The gadget works using a weak electric current. When a person holds it and scoops up food, an electrical circuit is formed that directs sodium ions toward the tongue’s receptors. This intensifies the sensation of saltiness, helping make low-sodium dishes taste better.
A prototype of the technology was presented in 2022 in the form of “electric chopsticks.” The company says the effect can increase perceived saltiness by up to 1.5 times.
Although the spoon cannot be used by people with pacemakers or a tendency to seizures, it could become a genuine aid for people seeking to reduce their salt intake without compromising on taste.
