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Salt

Not a Spice?

Salt was once worth its weight in gold
Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt—hence the word salary. Forget Bitcoin—salt was serious currency.


The Dead Sea makes you float
It’s nearly 10 times saltier than the ocean, so you’ll bob like a cork. Built-in spa day, anyone?


Salt signaled status
In medieval banquets, sitting “above the salt” meant you were important. Below? Not so much.


There’s salt in space
Astronomers have found giant clouds of salt near young stars. Galactic fries, anyone?


It preserved food before fridges
Salt kept meat and fish fresh for long sea voyages—without it, exploration (and snacks) would’ve suffered.


Why we salt roads in winter
Salt lowers water’s freezing point, melting snow and ice faster. It’s nature’s de-icer.


Table salt is ancient sea
That sprinkle on your fries? It’s from oceans that dried up millions of years ago. Tastes like history.


Superstitions love salt
Tossing it over your shoulder? Meant to blind the devil lurking behind you. Handy.

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