How top make the best cup of tea: American professor claims controversial recipe makes best cup of tea

By Holly Allton
Published 26th Jan 2024, 15:33 BST
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The claim has caused controversy among British tea lovers.

An American professor has claimed that putting salt into a cup of tea can make for the perfect brew.

According to The Guardian, the controversial claim was made by Michelle Francl, a professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College. 

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In her new book, Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea, Francl has documented experiments with tea dating back 1,000 years. 

The US Embassy released a tongue-in-cheek statement following Francl’s claim with a funny take on the situation, joking that the recipe had landed them in “hot water” with the United Kingdom. 

The full statement read: “Today’s media reports of an American Professor’s recipe for the “perfect” cup of tea has landed our special bond with the United Kingdom in hot water.

“Tea is the elixir of camaraderie, a sacred bond that unites our nations. We cannot stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the very foundation of our Special Relationship.