On the first night of CES 2025, Kirin Holdings, a Japanese company known for its beer and beverages, showed off its new electronic spoon that makes your food taste saltier. The company says its spoon uses a weak electric current to concentrate sodium ion molecules in your food, adding a stronger umami and salt flavor to low-sodium foods.

A limited supply of the Electronic Salt Spoon went on sale in Japan in 2024 for roughly $127 in American dollars, but Kirin hopes to sell the device around the globe in the coming years. The company claims this device can noticeably increase the “saltiness” of your food, without adding any additional sodium.

A crowd of people tried some soup using Kirin’s spoon at CES Unveiled in Las Vegas. TechCrunch did not try it ourselves, because there’s something about a communal tech conference spoon that just isn’t that appetizing.

While the spoon seems too good to be true, there’s some convincing research behind it that suggests it may be legit. The product launch of Kirin’s spoon marked the first commercialization of technology that won the 2023 Ig Nobel prize, a satirical award for unusual scientific research. The researchers behind it first published their thesis in 2011, but have since made spoons, forks, and chopsticks that pass electric currents into food.

Kirin says it created the spoon to help people consume less salt. This problem is especially relevant in Japan, where the country’s adult population eats more than double the World Health Organization’s recommended intake

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 has witnessed a plethora of innovative technologies, but one exhibit that has garnered significant attention is Kirin’s electric salt spoon. This revolutionary device is poised to transform the way we experience flavor and interact with food. In this article, we will delve into the details of Kirin’s electric salt spoon and explore its potential impact on the food industry.

Background: Kirin’s Commitment to Innovation

Kirin is a Japanese company renowned for its commitment to innovation and quality. With a rich history spanning over a century, Kirin has established itself as a leader in the food and beverage industry. The company’s dedication to research and development has led to the creation of numerous groundbreaking products, and the electric salt spoon is the latest addition to its portfolio.

What is the Electric Salt Spoon?

The electric salt spoon is a futuristic device that uses electrical stimulation to enhance the flavor of food. This innovative technology is based on the principle that the human tongue can detect five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. By applying a subtle electrical current to the tongue, the electric salt spoon can amplify the perception of saltiness, reducing the need for excessive salt consumption.

How Does it Work?

The electric salt spoon is a sleek and compact device that resembles a traditional spoon. However, it features a unique electrode that comes into contact with the tongue when the user takes a bite. The electrode emits a gentle electrical current that stimulates the taste buds, enhancing the flavor of the food.

Benefits of the Electric Salt Spoon

The electric salt spoon offers numerous benefits for consumers, including:

1. Reduced Salt Consumption: By amplifying the perception of saltiness, the electric salt spoon can help reduce excessive salt consumption, which is a major contributor to various health problems, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
2. Enhanced Flavor Experience: The electric salt spoon can elevate the flavor of food, making it more enjoyable and satisfying.
3. Increased Versatility: The device can be used with a variety of foods, from soups to salads, and even desserts.
4. Convenience: The electric salt spoon is easy to use and clean, making it a convenient addition to any meal.

Implications for the Food Industry

The electric salt spoon has significant implications for the food industry, including:

1. New Business Opportunities: The device creates new business opportunities for food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers, who can develop and market electric salt spoon-compatible products.
2. Changes in Food Formulation: The electric salt spoon may lead to changes in food formulation, as manufacturers seek to optimize their products for use with the device.
3. Increased Focus on Health and Wellness: The electric salt spoon’s ability to reduce salt consumption may lead to an increased focus on health and wellness in the food industry.

Consumer Reaction and Feedback

Kirin’s electric salt spoon has generated significant interest and excitement among consumers at CES 2025. Many attendees have praised the device for its innovative technology and potential to transform the way we experience flavor.

“I was skeptical at first, but the electric salt spoon really does make a difference,” said one attendee. “It’s amazing how much more flavorful food can be with just a subtle electrical current.”

Challenges and Limitations

While the electric salt spoon has the potential to revolutionize the food industry, there are several challenges and limitations that Kirin must address, including:

1. Regulatory Approval: Kirin must obtain regulatory approval for the electric salt spoon in various markets, which may be a time-consuming and costly process.
2. Consumer Education: Kirin must educate consumers about the benefits and proper use of the electric salt spoon, which may require significant marketing and advertising efforts.
3. Competition: Kirin may face competition from other companies that develop similar devices, which could erode its market share and profitability.

Conclusion

Kirin’s electric salt spoon is a revolutionary innovation that has the potential to transform the food industry. By enhancing the flavor of food and reducing salt consumption, the device can improve the health and wellness of consumers while creating new business opportunities for food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers. While there are challenges and limitations to be addressed, Kirin’s electric salt spoon is an exciting development that could have a lasting impact on the way we experience flavor.

Kirin’s electric salt spoon, showcased at CES 2025, offers numerous benefits for consumers, the food industry, and the environment. Here are some of the key advantages:

Benefits for Consumers

1. Enhanced Flavor Experience: The electric salt spoon amplifies the perception of saltiness, making food more flavorful and enjoyable.
2. Reduced Salt Consumption: By enhancing the flavor of food, the device can help reduce excessive salt consumption, which is a major contributor to various health problems.
3. Increased Versatility: The electric salt spoon can be used with a variety of foods, from soups to salads, and even desserts.
4. Convenience: The device is easy to use and clean, making it a convenient addition to any meal.

Benefits for the Food Industry

1. New Business Opportunities: The electric salt spoon creates new business opportunities for food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers, who can develop and market electric salt spoon-compatible products.
2. Changes in Food Formulation: The device may lead to changes in food formulation, as manufacturers seek to optimize their products for use with the electric salt spoon.
3. Increased Focus on Health and Wellness: The electric salt spoon’s ability to reduce salt consumption may lead to an increased focus on health and wellness in the food industry.
4. Competitive Advantage: Food companies that adopt the electric salt spoon technology can gain a competitive advantage in the market, differentiating themselves from competitors.

Benefits for the Environment

1. Reduced Salt Production: By reducing the need for excessive salt consumption, the electric salt spoon can help reduce the environmental impact of salt production, which is a resource-intensive process.
2. Sustainable Food Systems: The device can contribute to the development of more sustainable food systems, which prioritize health, wellness, and environmental sustainability.
3. Reduced Food Waste: By enhancing the flavor of food, the electric salt spoon can help reduce food waste, which is a significant environmental problem.

Benefits for Health and Wellness

1. Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: By reducing excessive salt consumption, the electric salt spoon can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
2. Improved Nutrition: The device can help improve nutrition by enhancing the flavor of healthy foods, making them more appealing to consumers.
3. Increased Food Enjoyment: The electric salt spoon can increase food enjoyment, which is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with food.

Conclusion

Kirin’s electric salt spoon offers numerous benefits for consumers, the food industry, the environment, and health and wellness. By enhancing the flavor of food, reducing salt consumption, and promoting sustainable food systems, the device has the potential to transform the way we experience food.