The Spoon That Salts Your Food… Without Using Salt

Imagine enjoying an intensely salty flavor without adding a single grain of salt to your food. A Japanese company has made it possible with an electric spoon. We explain how this strange but ingenious technology could change the way you eat.

A Surprising Gadget from CES 2025

At the world's largest consumer technology trade show, CES 2025, amidst flying cars and smart robots, one invention has captured attention for its uniqueness and potential impact on health: the Electric Salt Spoon.

Developed by the Japanese company Kirin Holdings, primarily known for its beverages, this ordinary-looking spoon hides innovative technology. Its purpose is to enhance the perception of saltiness and umami in low-sodium foods without the need to add actual salt. The device was honored at the CES 2025 Innovation Awards, featuring prominently in the Digital Health and Accessibility categories.

How Does Electrical “Magic” Work?

The technology behind the spoon isn't magic, but science. The device works by sending a very weak, imperceptible electrical current from the tip of the spoon through the food to the user's tongue.

This electrical current stimulates the sodium ions present in the tongue, intensifying the signal they send to the brain. As a result, the brain interprets food as up to 1.5 times saltier than it actually is. According to Homei Miyashita, one of the creators of the original chopstick-shaped prototype, the current used is very low, "similar to that used in electrical measurements of body fat percentage," and the user can select between four intensity levels.

The spoon is powered by a 3-volt CR2 lithium battery and is designed for use with foods such as soups, curries, or ramen, where contact with the liquid facilitates current conduction.

An Unexpected Ally for Public Health

Beyond technological curiosity, the Electric Salt Spoon's main objective is to address a serious public health problem: excessive sodium consumption. High salt intake is directly linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

In countries like Japan, the average adult salt intake is about 10 grams per day, double the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Kirin's spoon seeks to offer a solution so people can enjoy the flavor they're accustomed to while drastically reducing their sodium intake.

"The goal of this spoon, developed by Kirin Holdings, is to help prevent hypertension and other problems associated with excessive sodium consumption."

In a survey conducted by the company of 31 people who were reducing their salt intake, 29 of them reported that the saltiness of their test food increased when using the device.

Availability and Future of Electric Flavor

The Electric Salt Scoop has already had a limited release in Japan. It went on sale online in May 2024 with an initial batch of 200 units, priced at 19,800 yen (approximately $127). Kirin has announced that it plans to continue sales and hopes to reach one million users worldwide within the next five years, with an international launch planned for 2025.

This invention, which began as a chopstick prototype in 2022, demonstrates how technology can offer creative solutions to everyday health problems. While it may seem like an odd gadget, its potential to help millions of people adopt a healthier diet in a delicious way is undeniable.