UK steps closer to war with the US after professor suggests putting salt in tea. A US scientist outrages the British with advice about tea – and the American embassy stirs it up. Storm in a teacup. U.S. embassy intervenes amid British outrage over ‘perfect’ salty tea. The "special relationship" between Britain and the United States came under pressure this week when a U.S. academic had the cheek to suggest adding salt to tea, sparking a flurry of diplomatic banter.