US professor stirs 'tea controversy' with UK after salt-lemon remark. US embassy issues hilarious clarification

'We want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain's national drink is not the official United States policy,' the US embassy in London stated. 'And never will be.' (Representational image)

A professor and chemist in the US recently published a book suggesting that the perfect cup of tea requires "a pinch of salt" and "a small squeeze of lemon juice". In doing so, she stirred a controversy between the two tea-loving countries -- the UK and the US. Tea or rather making tea has already been a bone of contention between the two nations with the UK using a kettle to make the brew and the US preferring to "microwave" it.

Therefore, fearing that Michelle Francl's suggestion might add further salt to the wound (or tea?),  the US embassy in London issued a mock clarification which had citizens of both the countries and others on X in splits.

"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," the embassy stated. "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."

They were referring to an article on Michelle Francl's experiments with tea published by The Guardian.

"Therefore we want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain's national drink is not the official United States policy. And never will be... The US embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way -- by microwaving it," the clarification read.

An important statement on the latest tea controversy.  pic.twitter.com/HZFfSCl9sD

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— U.S. Embassy London (@USAinUK) January 24, 2024

Interestingly, speaking to The Guardian, Francl also addressed another controversial question (for those in the West) -- will adding milk to tea make it better?

The researcher told the publication she found that milk should be added after pouring the tea to reduce the chance of it curdling. The milk, she said, should be warmed.

While tea drinkers may already squirm or cringe at the idea of salt, lemon juice, and milk used together in their tea, Indians have been known to enjoy a dash of lemon juice in their liquor tea while the popular "noon chai" of Kashmir is steeped in milk and salt sans the lemon juice.

Now, the question is, will this "tea controversy" prompt leaders in India -- the largest consumer of the beverage in the world -- to also step in? Let's wait and watch.

Read more: What is pineapple tea and how fruit peels in teas help boost health