Storm in a cup of tea: The British are upset after an American scientist suggested adding salt to make a perfect cup of tea.
Michelle Frankel, professor of chemistry at Bryn Moore College in Pennsylvania, published the (in her opinion) perfect recipe in a book about the chemistry behind the popular drink.
Some of her suggestions were completely normal, such as using a low mug, heating the mug before brewing, and using the pouch only once.
But Frankel was not satisfied with that and also discussed the question of when to add the milk (according to her recommendation, only after the drink is prepared).
To the amazement of the British, Frankel also suggested heating the milk, adding a drop of lemon and "worst of all": adding a pinch of salt to the drink (so that the tea would be less bitter).
It was already too much.
The letters section of the "Daily Mail" was filled with angry responses.
"As if we need advice from the Americans to make tea," one commenter wrote.
"Who does she think she's addressing? The French?"
An important statement on the latest tea controversy.
🇺🇸🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/HZFfSCl9sD
— US Embassy London (@USAinUK) January 24, 2024
Considering the hysteria and perhaps also the history of the symbolism of tea in relations between Great Britain and the United States, the American Embassy in London stepped into the picture and published an official response. "Tea is the drink of friendship, the sacred bond that connects our nations," the embassy's statement reads.
The Boston Tea Party.
Engraving from the book "History of North America", 1789, photo: from Wikipedia
"We cannot stand by when such a shocking proposal threatens the foundation of the special relationship between us. Therefore, we wish to assure the good people of the kingdom that the unthinkable proposal to add salt to Britain's national drink is not part of official American policy. And it never will be... The US Embassy will continue to prepare the drink the right way - by heating it in the microwave."
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