佐藤 愛：塩味やうま味を増強させるスプーンで、新しい“おいしい”をかなえる。しょっぱい、辛いといった「味覚」は、人によって、あるいは体調や年齢によっても変わる奥深いものである。
食への強い興味・関心を持つ佐藤は、あるとき、治療のために苦しい減塩に取り組む人々の存在を知る。
彼らの“おいしい”を守るための方法を模索し、ついに塩味やうま味を増強させることができるスプーン型の食器を開発した。
それは患者たちの救いとなっただけではなく、人々の“おいしい”の基準を変えられるものになっている。
その仕組みとは一体どのようなものなのか。SATO Ai：A spoon that enhances saltiness and umami—unlocking a new kind of “delicious.”Taste sensations like saltiness or spiciness are deeply personal and can vary depending on an individual’s condition or age.
Sato, who has a deep interest in food, once learned about people struggling with strict salt reduction diets due to medical treatments.
Determined to protect their sense of “delicious,” she began searching for a solution—and eventually developed a spoon-shaped utensil that can enhance the perception of saltiness and umami.
This invention not only became a source of relief for patients, but also has the potential to redefine what “delicious” means for everyone.
What is the mechanism behind this innovation?
She joined Kirin Holdings in 2010.
Ever since she started working there, she has been engaged in technology development that leads to new business and planning processes of research institute management.
In 2019, she began a joint research with Professor Homei Miyashita's lab from Meiji University on "Electro-Taste Research that Enhances the Flavor of Low Salt Foods." In the same year, she applied for a new business contest held by Kirin intra-company and started as a project aimed at commercialization.
In May 2024, she launched the "Electric Salt," a device designed to enhance the flavor of a reduced-salt diet. With the principle "life with delicious meals for everyone," she has devoted herself to technological improvements and business operations so that she can hand over Electric Salt as a tool to enjoy food more. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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