Salt in tea? Our interview with Michelle Francl, chemist and author of 'Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea'

When brewing a pot of tea, favored additions are milk, sugar and lemon slices. What about salt?

How do you take your tea? Do you add milk or sugar or lemon or. . . salt?  Michelle Francl, chemist, writer and tea enthusiast, recommends the latter and it has caused quite a controversy!

Michelle Francl, a Professor of Chemistry at Bryn Mawr and author of the new book, "Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea" took some time to chat with BTS this week and address, among other things, the topic of adding salt to tea. A subject so controversial it caused a bit of a "brew-haha" between the US and the UK.

Michelle Francl's new book, filled with fascinating tea facts, sparked a bit of a "brew-haha".

After news reached England that an American professor advised adding a bit of salt to one's cup of tea to reduce bitterness, it generated an outcry from a number of incredulous UK citizens. The U.S. Embassy in London felt they had to this address this poste haste and issued a statement to defuse the situation. Here's an excerpt:    

". . .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. 

The U.S. Embassy will continue to make tea in the proper way - by microwaving it".

Ah, we were doing so well! :)

But, seriously, folks - there's some seriously fascinating information about the chemistry of tea. Understanding how it all works can produce what we're all in search of:  the perfect pot of tea.

After receiving several news articles regarding the hue and cry that stemmed from the publication of "Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea" from my posse of tea sources, I reached out to Michelle Francl to learn more. She graciously took time to answer a few questions we sent her way. 

A chat with Michelle Francl: 

BTS:  Your recommendation to add salt to brewed tea to reduce bitterness has caused quite a "stir" with the British and even garnered a response from the U.S. Embassy. Did you expect this kind of reaction (emotional, not chemical - I know you have the latter down pat!)?

Michelle Francl: I certainly did not expect the kind of reaction that I got from the British public about salt and tea. I thought it was interesting when I uncovered it, and given that it’s a hack that coffee drinkers have known for a long time, I didn’t really think that people would get quite so emotional about it. It was a bit overwhelming, but also a lot of fun to see chemistry in the news in this way.

BTS: Do you have any plans to do a tour in the U.S (or elsewhere) this year?  

Michelle Francl:  I am doing a bit of traveling to talk about the book, but as of yet, there is no official tour.

BTS:  What is your favorite tea?

Michelle Francl:  My favorite tea is Assam from the Halmari estate, but I also love green snail tea and rose congou in the afternoon. 

(We'll quickly add here that green snail tea gets its name from the shape of its rolled up leaves, not its contents.)

A pinch of salt can reduce the bitterness of tea. Vintage salt cellars on my tea table may now hold salt!

And, while drinking my favorite tea, Earl Grey, I took in a recent presentation that Michelle Francl gave to the Royal Society of Chemistry online. Here I learned not only that Michelle Francl does not care for Earl Grey (but noted it does contain properties that enhance relaxation), but more, importantly, how understanding the chemistry of tea can lead to brewing a better pot of Camilla Sinesis. 

So, I purposely steeped my black tea blend longer than usual to make it just a bit bitter.  After a sip to assure the brew was indeed past its prime and bitter, I added a pinch of NaCl. Amazingly, it did taste smoother and less harsh. 

As one who collects vintage salt cellars for scone condiments (curd, cream, jam), I believe I now have yet another purpose for these mini crystal dishes. Salt! I might just add this to my tea table as a precautionary aid, should my brew be unintentionally bitter.

Final notes:   "Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea" is available on Amazon.  I will feature it in an upcoming Tuesday Tea and Tomes. 

In addition to all the above, Michelle Francl, Ph.D, is a quantum chemist who has published in areas ranging from development of methods for computational chemistry to the structures of topologically intriguing molecules. She is also an Adjunct Scholar of the Vatican Observatory.  

We are truly grateful to Michelle Francl for taking the time to visit with us at BTS. We look forward to any of Dr. Francl's future presentations we may have the opportunity to attend in person and eagerly await for our copy of "Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea" to be delivered.

Tonia's Victorian Rose tearoom is closing: Years of memories, we'll wait for 'Chapter Two'

Tonia's Victorian Rose tearoom will close March 2

Tonia's Victorian Rose has been more than tearoom -  it's been a second home to local tea enthusiasts and, for us at Barb's Tea Service, it's been close to our heart for over two decades. So, hearing of its closing in less than two weeks is sad news, indeed.

Laura and Barb this week at tea, a bittersweet celebration

Last week, we talked with owner Tonia Carsten who informed us that Tonia's Victorian Rose would be shutting its doors on March 2, but it's not her preference.  The "building", a three-story vintage home, built in 1910, is up for sale by its owners, which leaves Tonia and her staff looking for new opportunities.

(L): First tea talk at Victorian Rose, newspaper photo. (R): Office outing, posing on VR's porch

Barb's Tea Service goes way back with this Rochester, Michigan tearoom starting when it was known only as the "Victorian Rose" and owned by Loretta Curry. Twenty years ago, when we were just starting our "tea talks", Loretta hired us enthusiastically. We gave our first tea etiquette talk (outside of home parties) on Mother's Day and even garnered some local news coverage for the event. We are forever grateful to Loretta for opening that door for us. 

In 2017, the Sistah's came to visit the "new" tearoom 

We also launched our first "ladies outings" with a group of friends at the office - a fun group of nine gals who bonded over tea and a desire to "hang" outside of work.

Teacup dessert for birthdays where Laura Q and I celebrated quite a few!

When, Tonia purchased the tea business from Loretta in 2017, keeping many of the menu favorites like the scrumptious chicken pot pie, we continued to patronize this charming tearoom.  We came with our favorite cousins (aka, "the Sistahs") shortly after Tonia took over and returned to celebrate many birthdays with most awesome friend, Laura Q. 

Victorian Rose

Teatime over the years at Tonia's

                             

Even during quarantine times, Tonia's continued to serve the tea community, offering afternoon tea carry-out.  We happily took advantage of this, often ordering for two and sharing a virtual tea time with favorite daughter, Rachel.

During quarantine, Tonia offered carry- out teas.

Virtual tea with Rachel and Tonia's tea fare

This week, Laura and I came once again for tea, lunch and celebration - although this time, it was, most assuredly. bittersweet.  

We'll miss Tonia's Victorian Rose, but will watch for "Chapter 2"

Tonia tells us that after March 2, there are plans for tearoom "pop ups" throughout the tri-county area, so we advise to stay tuned. With Tonia's Victorian Rose's great following, any event is sure to be an early sell out.

President's Day: A visit to FDR's 'Little White House' in Warm Springs (with Eleanor's favorite tea)

The Little White House in Warm Springs - Franklin Roosevelt's retreat in Georgia

In honor of today's holiday, "Presidents' Day", we at Barb's Tea Service thought it the perfect time to share highlights from our recent visit to "The Little White House", Franklin Roosevelt's retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia.

Last month, on our return-home road-trip (central Florida back to Michigan), our friends (and fellow January snowbirds, Pam and Quint) suggested we stop at the Little White House, considering we're fellow history buffs and, added bonus, its location was not too far off our route.

So, on a cool, but sunny, Monday afternoon, my husband, Chris and I, drove into Warm Springs, a small town roughly an hour and a half west of Macon, Georgia with Roosevelt's Little White House just a few minutes passed the historic burg.

FDR's specially equipped car on display in the museum.

Nestled in the woods, the Little White House is one of four separate buildings on the site. Guests first enter a museum/visitors center, where docents guide one through the campus. A short film, in the museum's theater, is recommended to start the tour. A time capsule of its own, the fifteen minute movie is narrated by Walter Cronkite and tells the story of FDR's connection to Warm Springs;  from seeking a cure for polio, which struck him in 1921, in the region's natural spa water to constructing a second home where he conducted many of his presidential duties. (Although the heated springs - a constant 88 degrees - didn't provide a cure, it did bring some improvement and provided a bit of relief.).

FDR's stamp collection

 Little White House patio furniture and china

There are many treasures to view in the museum, including the car FDR drove, which had specially designed hand controls to replace foot pedals, his prized stamp collection and the patio furniture and china used on the Little White House deck. There's also a full section devoted to Eleanor Roosevelt, a trailblazing First Lady that we not only admire, but have a dedicated tea talk devoted to her.  (See our blog - Tuesday Tea and Tomes:  The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, where we talk about ER and our ER tea talks!) 

Eleanor display in the museum

Roosevelts in Hyde Park, 2015

While we learned that Eleanor didn't stay in Warm Springs often, it was Val-Kil Industries that supplied most of the furniture for the Little White House. Val-Kil was a small factory that Eleanor, along with two partners, established for farmers near her home in New York to make furniture and other crafts to supplement their income. We also discovered - in the gift shop! - that Eleanor's favorite tea was "Orange Pekoe" - and, yes, we most certainly bought a package to bring home,in addition to an Eleanor Roosevelt tea mug. 😉🫖

Inside the Little White House, FDR's chair and table near the fireplace.

But, the real treasure lies up the hill to the Little White House, which is flanked by two other buildings:  a guest house and staff quarters. 

What struck me when first entering the Little White House was how unpretentious the living space is. Not to say it doesn't have charm, but it's found in the well-structured wood beams and floors, the stone fireplace and the natural beauty of finely crafted furniture as opposed to, say, multiple crystal chandeliers and gilt-covered everything. 

Back deck overlooking woods

Secret service spot

One of our guides explained that the architect for the Little White House did have a more luxurious design in mind, but FDR insisted on a residence that reflected more of its environs. 

It was at the Little White House where Roosevelt put together many of the Depression-area programs that were part of the New Deal. Inspired by the community of Warm Springs, he continued to push for improvements for those not born of privilege.  In fact, when first arriving in Warm Springs, he was shocked to learn that residents in this area paid four times the amount for electricity that he paid in his home in New York. 

FDR's bedroom, no plush furnishings

Bathroom between bedrooms.

While there is much to celebrate that occurred at Warm Springs, it was also where tragedy struck.  On April 12, 1945, FDR died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the Little White House, not long after returning from Yalta.  Sadly, after all his dedication and commitment to peace, he did not live to see the official end of WW II. 

The "unfinished portrait" on display.

Photos capture FDR.

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Just before his death, Roosevelt was having his presidential portrait painted. The "unfinished portrait" is on display in the Legacy room, part of the museum. Next to the portrait that most of us would recognize immediately from history books and other FDR references, there are photos of what he truly looked like at the time. At only 62, he looks much older and more frail. As our guide noted, the artist's portrayal of the thirty second president was truly a gift to FDR and his family.

Visiting the Little White House was an amazing and incredibly interesting experience. After our afternoon immersion in Warm Springs, we concluded that even if this historic venue had taken us off our direct route home for a few hours, it was worth every minute. A piece of history, so grand in ways we don't typically define as such, it makes one appreciate even more what today's holiday is honoring.

Little White House with Eleanor tea and mug, purchased at the gift shop

As I drink my Orange Pekoe, I raise my Eleanor Roosevelt tea mug to many of our President's (and First Lady's) who take on the task of running the country. 

Hyde Park with Rachel, 2015. More presidential sites to visit in the future!

I also am once again inspired to get back to more visits of Presidential homes and libraries. To date, I've only visited seven sites, for six presidents:  Mount Vernon, the Hermitage, the Gerald Ford Museum, the McKinnley Museum and tomb, Taft's home and for Franklin Roosevelt both the FDR home and library in Hyde Park and, most recently, the Little White House. 

I'm thinking we'll "off-road" a bit more in the future. 

Bridgerton Tea at Bloomfield Township Public Library: Barb's Tea Service was delighted to be back, serving and "spilling" the tea on Regency -era Romance!

Barb's Tea Service served - & spilled - the tea on Bridgerton at Bloomfield Twp. Library Valentine's Eve

Barb's Tea Service was delighted to be back at Bloomfield Township Public Library celebrating romance and romance stories, most specifically, "Bridgerton" - most appropriately on Valentine's Day Eve.

Brooke H. with Barb and Pam of BTS

At the invite of Brooke Hoskins, Assistant Department Head, Adult Services, who turned the library's meeting room into a lovely tearoom with tables covered in white linens, topped with pastel floral arrangements, place cards and vintage china, BTS served up Twinings tea and dished on Bridgerton - novels and Netflix series.

The Bloomfield Twp. Library-turned-tearoom

Tables were topped with flowers and place cards

We were thrilled to see a "booked solid" (with a waiting list!) room full of wonderful guests with a number of familiar faces, including tea friend, Carol M.

The Bridgerton Tea was "booked solid".

Guests enjoying tea and tea treats before tea talk.

(While BTS supplied tea cups, many attendees brought their own. Sandra showed us her very special porcelain cup from China. She was among one of the first groups to visit China when tourism was opened to foreigners in the 1970's). 

Sandra shows off her special tea cup from China

In addition to "spilling the tea" on a variety of Bridgerton topics, we shared slides from our recent visit to Bath, England where we had a personal tour of Bridgerton filming sites.  BTS also provided each guest with their own heart-shaped fan for use at their next ball (or heatwave). 

Tour of Bridgerton -Bath, England

Great to see our tea friend, Carol M.

We also hinted a "sneak peek" into the next issue of TeaTime Magazine (there's amazing content in every issue). 

BTS provided fans for guests, shared slides from our Bridgerton's tour of Bath & talked TeaTime Mag.

BTS thoroughly enjoyed our Bridgerton Tea with both guests and venue that are near and dear to our heart - Valentine's Day or any day! 💓🫖📕