While it’s healthy in moderation, we all know that too much salt can be bad for us—but that doesn’t change the fact that salty food actually slaps. Fortunately, in a viral video, TikTok reviewer Classy Bougie Budget (@classybougiebudget) has shared a middle ground that provides us with the best of both worlds: the Kirin Electric Salt Spoon.
From edible spoon makers to square watermelons, there are plenty of innovations out there designed to scale up your eating experience. But the Kirin Electric Salt Spoon is the latest one to break the internet.
Classy Bougie Budget unboxed and demonstrated the product, which first circulated last year, in a viral video that has garnered 1.5 million views.
The creator began by explaining that he made bakute and felt the dish wasn’t salty enough. However, instead of putting more MSG on it, he decided to test out the Kirin Electric Salt Spoon. The goal? To make his meal more salty and umami.
How Does The Kirin Electric Salt Spoon Work?
Classy Bougie Budget explained that the spoon uses an electrical current to make your taste buds taste things saltier. When he unboxed the item, he pointed out the metal plate in the center of the spoon through which electricity flows. The TikToker then noted that there were three settings to choose how salty you want the spoon to taste.
He begins by putting the spoon on the first setting. Trying his meal with a normal spoon for comparison, he confirms that the electronic spoon makes it taste like there’s MSG in it. He then tries the highest setting, noting that the meal “tastes so much better” with the spoon.
“This was almost $200, and I would be really p—– if it didn’t work,” he added. “And now that it does… this is super cool,” he added.
In a follow-up video, Classy Bougie Budget also shared how to wash the spoon. He notes how you can’t wash the handle, as you’re only supposed to wipe it. To wash the spoons, you must unscrew them from the handle and detach the metal strip before washing these components as you would with any other piece of cutlery.
The clip has amassed 1.6 million views.
BroBible reached out to the creator via email.
What Did Commenters Say?
Some commenters shared more information about the process.
“The science behind this is so cool!” they wrote. “There is a small current of electricity you cannot feel but when it hits your tongue it makes you think you’ve eaten something a little saltier! It would be amazing for cancer patients potentially as well as people who need to be on low sodium diets.”
A second added, “The spoon works by forming an electrolytic cell with your tongue, so all the positive ions are strongly attracted to your tongue.”
Other commenters were more interested in the product itself,
A third remarked, “I wish they would do this for sugar for people who have a sweet tooth.”
While a fourth shared, “I gave it to a friend who cannot have salt for health reasons, and she was really impressed with this spoon. I totally recommend it for anyone who tends to use too much salt.”
How Are Others Reviewing The Spoon?
Back when the spoon was first released, CNET published its own review. However, the outlet’s verdict was a little more lukewarm than Classy Bougie Budget’s.
While it won the publication’s title of best weird tech at CES, reviewer Taylor Leamey seemed, overall, unimpressed by the invention.
“The Kirin Electric Salt Spoon is an interesting concept with an important mission of reducing sodium intake,” she wrote, “I could see this spoon moving the needle in a meaningful way for people who need to quickly reduce their sodium intake for health reasons.”
“When we tested the spoon, it amped up the broth’s flavor as described. However, I wouldn’t completely bank on this spoon just yet. The steps to getting it to work are awkward, and we can’t rule out the possibility that the placebo effect might be at play to some degree.”
Placebo or not, Classy Bougie Budget’s viral review is certainly giving this invention a second lease of life.
@classybougiebudget The $200 spoon that makes your food taste saltier and more umami. #fyp #foryou #japan #エレキソルト #saltspoon
BroBible reached out to Kirin for comment via media contact form.