Tea is one of the most common beverages across the world. Many cannot kick start their morning without a cup of tea.
Milk tea, lemon tea and even jaggery tea is common but salt tea? Have you ever heard of someone putting salt in tea? However weird it may sound, salt tea is a cultural beverage in some traditions.
Although adding salt to a beverage that is typically associated with sweetness may seem illogical, this practice has been practised for centuries and has several advantages.
Let’s explore why putting a pinch of salt in your tea could make a big difference in how you enjoy it every day.
Although salt may have a lot of harmful effects on health, it has some positive effects too if consumed in moderation.
Benefits of pinch of salt in tea
Boil some tea leaves, add milk as you usually do and just before sipping your tea, add a pinch of salt. Here are some reasons you should consider adding salt to your tea.
1. Boosts taste: One of nature’s taste boosters is salt. Tea leaves can be bitter, but a small teaspoon of salt will help balance it out and give the tea a more powerful, pleasant flavour. Additionally, it can assist highlight the inherent sweetness of some tea varieties, such white or green tea, negating the need for additional sugar.
2. Reduces bitterness: If you’ve ever brewed tea that turned out too bitter, adding a pinch of salt can help neutralise the bitterness. This is especially useful for strong black teas or over-steeped brews. Salt works by binding to the compounds responsible for bitterness, making them less perceptible to your taste buds.
3. Enhances immunity: According to research, salt plays a vital role in boosting immunity which can prevent several throat and seasonal infections.
4. Hydration: Salt is a natural electrolyte, and adding a little salt to your tea can help replenish electrolytes lost through sweating and other activities. This can be especially beneficial during hot weather or after exercise when hydrating yourself is important.
5. Digestive aid: Salt can stimulate the production of digestive juices, which can aid in digestion. This can be particularly helpful after a heavy meal when digestion may be sluggish.
6. Mineral boost: Depending on the type of salt you use, adding salt to your tea can introduce additional minerals into your diet. Pink Himalayan salt, for example, is rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are essential for overall health.
While adding salt to tea can offer several benefits, it’s important to use it sparingly, as excessive salt intake can have negative health effects. Start with just a pinch of salt and adjust to taste. Experiment with different types of salt, such as sea salt, black salt or flavoured salts, to find the perfect match for your favourite tea.
