An American scientist sparked outrage among the British when she offered advice on making their favorite hot beverage, tea. According to chemistry professor at Bryn Mawr College, Michelle Francl, one of the keys to the perfect cup of tea is a pinch of salt. This advice was included in Francl's book "Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea," published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The suggestion to add salt provoked cries of anger among tea lovers in Britain, where a common stereotype portrays Americans as rude individuals consumed by coffee, and if they do make tea, it's in the microwave.
The British etiquette guide "Debrett's" wrote on the platform "X": "Don't even say the word salt to us." The United States Embassy in London intervened in the uproar with a social media post reassuring "the good people of the United Kingdom that the unthinkable idea of adding salt to Britain's national beverage is not an official policy of the United States." The humorous post stated: "Let’s unite in our steeped solidarity and show the world that when it comes to tea, we stand as one. The U.S. Embassy will continue making tea the right way – by microwave."
The embassy later clarified that its post was "a playful jab at our shared cultural ties" and not an official press statement. Meanwhile, the term "steeped" is no joke. The book's publisher claims it is the result of three years of research and experimentation, exploring more than 100 chemical compounds found in tea and "uses chemistry along with tips on how to prepare a better cup."
