Everything You Wanted to Know About Salt but Were Too Afraid to Ask
15th July 2024
I’m not being hyperbolic when I say salt is the most important seasoning of all time. It makes things taste salty, sure, but it also makes things taste like better versions the themselves, and more importantly, salt is a powerful preservative and natural anti-microbial. Long before refrigeration—all the way back to ancient Egypt—salt kept meat from spoiling which, in turn, kept people fed longer. And though salty processed foods don’t have the best reputation, sodium is an essential nutrient, needed to keep your fluids balanced and muscles and nerves working smoothly. Salt is important.
We don’t live in ancient Egypt, and it’s currently quite easy to keep your electrolytes where they need to be for normal brain and bodily functions. So while the modern eater may be a little blasé about salt, flavor is not trivial. Chef-y types have strong opinions about brands and crystal size (and so do I), but the salt you stock your kitchen with should be the salt that fits your culinary needs.
Here’s what you need to know about salt, from the standard iodized table variety to the various Kosher offerings.