Overview

• American scientist Michelle Francl, author of 'Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea', has sparked controversy in the UK by suggesting the perfect cup of tea includes a pinch of salt to reduce bitterness and a squeeze of lemon to remove the 'scum' that can form on the surface of the drink.
• Francl's other recommendations include using loose leaf tea, agitating the tea bag, serving tea in a short, stout mug to preserve heat, and adding warm milk after the tea has been poured into the cup.
• The US Embassy in London issued a tongue-in-cheek statement assuring the UK that adding salt to tea is not official US policy, and jokingly added that the embassy will continue to make tea by microwaving it.
• Francl's book, based on three years of research and experimentation, explores the more than 100 chemical compounds found in tea and offers advice on how to brew a better cup.
• Despite the uproar, adding salt to tea is not a new concept and can be traced back to 8th century Chinese manuscripts.