One of the standout booths at CES Unveiled, the kickoff for the Consumer Electronics Expo, was abuzz with curiosity and excitement all night long. This booth featured one of the most unusual products showcased at this year’s event.
Introducing the Electric Salt Spoon by Kirin.
What exactly is an Electric Salt Spoon? This innovative gadget intrigued attendees, drawing a crowd eager to discover its purpose.
The Electric Salt Spoon is designed to enhance the flavors of low-sodium foods, giving them a saltier taste without adding any actual salt. It achieves this by sending an electric current through the spoon directly to the user’s tongue.
Curiosity led me to give it a try.
Taste Testing the Electric Salt Spoon
Kirin, a Japanese company, currently offers the Electric Salt Spoon for sale in Japan. While it remains unavailable in the U.S., CES attendees had the unique opportunity to test it out.
I began with a sip of soup provided by Kirin, sampling it without the spoon. The flavor was mild, lacking a salty kick.
Next, I tried the Electric Salt Spoon, which comprises two parts: a detachable bowl and a handle equipped with power and menu buttons.
Users can select from four distinct levels of saltiness.
However, there’s a quirky catch: you must hold the handle with a fist, making it feel slightly awkward, resembling a toddler’s grip on a spoon. The spoon only activates when held correctly, indicated by a blue light that changes to white as you sip.
This unique requirement proved to be a challenge. My attempt to hold the spoon ended up with soup dribbling down my chin, highlighting how difficult it was to maintain the right grip.
So, does the Electric Salt Spoon perform as advertised? When used correctly, the soup did taste slightly saltier. Yet, I found myself questioning whether this was merely a placebo effect influenced by the gadget’s promise.
Ironically, my fumbled grip on the spoon provided a revelation. When the device was disabled mid-sip, I noticed a stark change in flavor—from salty to distinctly bland—a clear indicator of its effectiveness.
Kirin’s goal is admirable: to encourage healthier eating habits by reducing sodium intake. Only time will tell if they achieve this mission, but they undoubtedly delivered the most eye-catching and peculiar product at CES 2025.
