An Israeli company has launched a hi-tech spoon that can measure the sweetness of beverages, and will soon be able to record a variety of other taste profiles too.
Valiber provides a new standard for the measurement of sweetness and is being adjusted to record the sourness, saltiness and bitterness of drinks. Available in a range of five bright colours, the 7in instrument features a rounded head that displays the reading on a digital screen, and a rounded base that measures a drink’s characteristics when stirred inside.
It is hoped that the latest model, dubbed the Swizzle, will pave the way for an accessible and widely accepted unit of sweetness called the val. The Swizzle’s temperature gauge also helps to factor in the effect of hot and cold beverages, which can influence a consumer’s perception of sweetness.
On the scale, a glass of Coca-Cola returns a reading of 34 vals; grape juice between 42 and 44 vals; 100% orange juice is 28 vals; and an 8oz glass of water with one teaspoon of sugar records 5 vals. Unsurprisingly, plain water comes back at 0 vals.
The firm, from Tel Aviv, has encouraged consumers to share results using its smartphone app, which will then help it to establish a database of sweetness in a variety of products. The Swizzle retails for $29 for individual use and $99 for professionals, such as baristas.
Valiber founder Yuval Klein told Israeli innovation news website No Camels: “One cup of coffee with two spoons of sugar might be good for one person, but is too sweet for another,” suggesting that the device might be used in foodservice locations to give consumers added options when customising a sweet drink.
“Valiber has so far raised seed funds of $100,000 and hopes to raise an additional $400,000 by the end of the year,” reported No Camels.
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