Kirin introduces the Electric Salt Cup and Spoon, innovative tableware that enhances salty and umami flavors in low-sodium dishes using mild electrical stimulation, making healthy meals taste richer and more satisfying in any season.
For decades, Kirin has been known for its beers and beverages. Now, the Japanese company is making waves in a very different space: tableware. Following the buzz around its 2024 Electric Salt Spoon, Kirin has released a brand-new innovation — the Electric Salt Cup, a flavor-enhancing mug — alongside an improved version of the spoon. Both are designed to make low-sodium meals taste more satisfying without adding extra salt.
Japan, like many countries, is seeing health campaigns urging people to cut back on sodium. High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure and cardiovascular risks, but reducing it often makes food bland. Kirin’s answer? A touch of science at the dinner table. By applying a very mild electric current, their devices enhance the perception of saltiness and umami flavors, helping low-salt dishes taste fuller and more enjoyable.
Launched in September 2025, the Electric Salt Cup looks like a stylish ceramic mug, but it’s built with smart technology. Tiny electrodes along the rim create a weak electrical field that interacts with sodium ions in soups, broths, and beverages. When the user’s lips touch the cup, the current enhances the sensation of saltiness.
· Adjustable intensity: Three levels to match personal preference.
· Enhanced flavor: In Kirin’s tests, taste intensity increased up to 1.5× without extra sodium.
· Everyday use: Ideal for miso soup, clear broths, or any lightly salted drink.
Kirin’s original Electric Salt Spoon debuted in May 2024 and quickly drew attention for its quirky but practical innovation. The revamped 2025 version refines the concept:
· Smaller tip for easier use with all kinds of foods.
· Dishwasher-safe for more convenience at home.
· Smoother current flow, reducing metallic aftertaste at higher intensities.
· Collaborative design with beauty tech company Ya-Man Ltd., adding better waterproofing and durability.
1. Fill the cup with your low-sodium soup, broth, or drink (e.g., miso soup, clear broth, minestrone).
2. Choose your level – the cup has three intensity settings that you can adjust depending on how much flavor boost you want.
3. Sip as usual – when your lips touch the rim, a mild electric current flows, enhancing the salty and umami flavors.
4. Taste adjustment – start with the lowest level and increase if you’d like stronger flavor.
5. Care – after use, rinse and clean gently; avoid submerging the entire cup if it contains electrical components.
1. Scoop your food – soups, stews, or dishes with broth work best.
2. Grip the handle firmly – electrodes inside the handle activate when you hold it.
3. Place food in your mouth as normal – the current flows at the moment the spoon touches your lips and tongue, enhancing salty taste.
4. Experiment with dishes – it’s most effective with foods that already contain some sodium, even in low amounts.
5. Care – the 2025 model is dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easy.
· During meals with reduced salt – Perfect if you’re eating low-sodium miso soup, broth-based dishes, or light stews that feel a bit bland.
· For health-focused diets – Great for people who are monitoring their blood pressure or following doctor-recommended sodium restrictions.
· Family dining – Useful when cooking for elderly family members who need to reduce salt but still enjoy rich flavors.
· Everyday cooking – Even for healthy eaters, it helps make lighter, “clean eating” recipes taste more satisfying.
· At social gatherings – An interesting conversation piece to introduce guests to innovative Japanese dining tech.
· When cutting back on seasonings – Works well if you’re reducing soy sauce, fish sauce, or processed seasonings for a healthier lifestyle.
Winter
Perfect for warming soups, broths, and stews when people naturally crave comforting flavors. A low-sodium miso soup or hot pot tastes richer with the flavor boost.
Summer
Works with chilled soups or light noodle broths that are often served in hot weather. Even cold miso or gazpacho can benefit, making low-salt summer meals more satisfying.
All Seasons
Because the technology enhances taste without changing temperature, the cup and spoon are versatile year-round. Whether it’s hot ramen in January or cold noodles in July, the devices help maintain flavor without extra salt.
These gadgets go beyond being simple kitchen novelties, catering instead to people who want to enjoy flavorful meals while reducing their salt intake. They appeal to health-conscious individuals seeking to cut down on sodium, families with elderly members managing conditions like hypertension, and adventurous foodies eager to explore the intersection of technology and dining. By blending wellness with innovation, they represent a fresh approach to how we experience taste at the table.
Pricing and Availability
· Electric Salt Cup: ¥26,950 (approx. US$180)
· Electric Salt Spoon (revamped): ¥24,750 (approx. US$165)
· Available first through Kirin’s online store (from September 9, 2025).
· Retail roll-out at Hands, Bic Camera, and other Japanese stores from November.
· International sales are planned in Asia starting 2026.
While reviews so far highlight enhanced taste, some users report a faint metallic tang if intensity is set too high. And importantly, not everyone feels the effect — about 10–20% may notice little difference. Also, people with pacemakers or medical electrical implants, and those under 18, are advised not to use these products.
If you’re aiming to reduce sodium but still crave flavor, Kirin’s Electric Salt Cup and Spoon could be game-changers at the dinner table. They blend health, innovation, and a little everyday magic. With their chic design and science-backed function, they might soon become the conversation piece at your next meal.
Precautions: Not recommended for people with pacemakers or other medical implants. Not for children under 18. If you notice a metallic tang, lower the intensity setting. Not ideal for: people with implanted medical devices, or for foods completely without sodium (the effect won’t be noticeable). Just keep in mind — they’re most effective with soups, broths, or saucy dishes that already contain a little sodium.
