First salt - now have grapefruit with your tea, advises US professor
The controversial American chemistry professor who told us to add salt to our tea is now advising drinkers to combine it with grapefruit to lengthen its caffeine buzz.
Professor Michelle Francl, of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, caused a diplomatic row when she suggested adding salt to tea would make the perfect brew, prompting statements from both the US embassy in London and the Cabinet Office.
But now she has advised that certain fruit and vegetables can prolong or shorten tea's caffeine effect.
Speaking at an online webinar for Chemistry World magazine, she said: "If you eat a lot of grapefruit you can increase the time the caffeine remains in the system.
"And if you add cabbage, broccoli and brussels sprouts to your diet you can clear caffeine more quickly."
She also referenced the reaction to her previous advice, given in her book The Chemistry of Tea, which had left her "bowled over".
After the salt row spread on social media, the US embassy intervened, by posting: "We cannot stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the very foundation of our Special Relationship.
"Tea is the elixir of camaraderie, a sacred bond that unites our nations.
"Therefore we want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain's national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be.
"Let us unite in our steeped solidarity and show the world that when it comes to tea, we stand as one."
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However, Britons were shocked when they signed off the message: "The US embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way - by microwaving it."
This is when the Cabinet Office felt compelled to weigh in.
A spokesperson said the government "must disagree wholeheartedly" with the US embassy's statement. "Tea can only be made using a kettle," their statement said.
To write her book, Professor Francl analysed research papers and ancient texts dating back more than 1,000 years to decide on the correct method to make the best cup of tea.
Other pieces of advice included drinking Earl Grey to calm anxiety, because it activates the same pain relief pathways as opioids, and using short, stouter mugs to keep the tea hotter.
According to Professor Francl the size and material of teabags matter - but not their shape - and both the mug and milk should be warmed first.
