Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A Japanese company unveils its groundbreaking Electric Salt Spoon, a device designed to make food taste saltier without increasing actual salt content. The innovative spoon, developed by Kirin, uses a weak electric current to trick taste buds into perceiving salty flavors.
Kirin Holdings, best known for its beer and beverages, ventured into the health science domain in May 2024 with the launch of this groundbreaking product. The Electric Salt Spoon employs electric signals to stimulate the tongue, amplifying the sensation of saltiness and umami in food while significantly reducing the need for added sodium.
The spoon, made of metal and plastic, works by passing a weak electric current through the tip of the device to concentrate sodium ions molecule on specific areas of the tongue. The process then enhances the perceived saltiness of food by up to 1.5 times, according to Kirin. The Electric Salt Spoon features a detachable handle that houses the technology and offers four levels of saltiness, providing users with customizable options to suit their taste preferences.
Backed by Research
The technology development behind the Electric Salt Spoon was a collaboration with Meiji University’s Dr. Homei Miyashita Laboratory of the Department of Frontier Media Science. The research team initially published their findings in 2011, and the innovative concept has since evolved to include electric spoons, forks, and chopsticks capable of delivering electric currents to enhance food flavors.
According to TechCrunch, the team received the Ig Nobel Prize in 2023, a satirical award celebrating unusual scientific achievements. This recognition highlighted the novelty of the spoon’s underlying technology.
The device was first sold in Japan in 2024 with a limited units, priced at approximately $125. Showcased at the CES 2025, the company states its plans to expand its Electric Salt Spoon availability to global markets in the future.
Addressing Excess Salt Consumption
Kirin’s Electric Salt Spoon aims to help individuals that seek to lower their sodium intake without sacrificing flavor. Researchers suggest the spoon could promote healthier eating habits by allowing people to enjoy the taste of salt without needing to add actual sodium to their meals.
The device is particularly relevant in Japan, where the average adult consumes about 10 grams of salt daily, double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit. Excess sodium intake is linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, strokes, and other health conditions.
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“Japanese people as a whole need to reduce the amount of salt intake, but it can be difficult to move away from what we’re used to eating,” Kirin researcher Ai Sato said, as reported by Sky News. “That’s what led us to develop this electric spoon.”
Kirin hopes that the Electric Salt Spoon will promote healthier eating habits by allowing people to enjoy the taste of salt without its harmful effects.
(Raidi/Agung)
