Salt
Not a Spice?
Salt was once as valuable as gold
Forget Bitcoin; back in the day, salt was real currency! Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt, which is where we get the word "salary" from. Talk about bringing home the bacon, or in this case, the salt!
The Dead Sea is salty enough to make you float
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a human buoy, the Dead Sea is the place to be. It’s nearly 10 times saltier than the ocean, making it nearly impossible to sink. You’ll be floating like a cork, enjoying a saltwater spa day!
Salt used to be a status symbol –
In medieval Europe, having salt on your table was a sign of wealth and power. If you were seated "above the salt" at a banquet, you were VIP status. "Below the salt"? Sorry, but you were a commoner!
There’s more salt in space
Astronomers have discovered giant clouds of salt (sodium chloride) floating around young stars in space. Who knew that out there in the universe, planets might be sprinkled with space salt just like French fries?
Salt has been the key to preserving food for millennia
Before refrigerators, salt was used to preserve meats and fish, keeping them fresh for long voyages. Without it, ancient sailors would have been hangry—and much less adventurous!
There’s a reason why some roads are covered in salt during winter
Salt lowers the freezing point of water, which means it melts ice and snow faster. So the next time you see salt sprinkled on the streets, know it’s nature’s way of keeping winter traffic moving!
Table salt is basically ancient sea
Yep, when you sprinkle that pinch of salt on your fries, you’re shaking out the remnants of ancient oceans that dried up millions of years ago. You could say it’s a little taste of history!
Salt has some superstitious power
Ever wonder why people throw a pinch of salt over their shoulder? It’s an ancient superstition to ward off bad luck. Supposedly, it blinds the devil lurking behind you—so keep those evil spirits at bay with a sprinkle!
Pink salt is trendy, but it’s also ancient
That trendy Himalayan pink salt in your kitchen? It’s believed to be over 250 million years old. Not only does it look cool, but you’re also seasoning your food with a piece of geological history!
Salt mines are like underground worlds
Salt mines, like the famous ones in Poland, can be absolutely massive. Some are even used as event venues, where concerts, parties, and even weddings take place—300 feet underground!
Salt licks aren’t just for animals
Some humans in history (and today) have enjoyed salt licks too. Early humans often relied on natural salt deposits in the wild to get their essential minerals, just like deer and other animals do now.
There’s a whole museum dedicated to salt and pepper shakers
Yes, you read that right! In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, there’s a museum featuring over 20,000 salt and pepper shakers from around the world.
Salt is not a spice, it’s a mineral!
While spices come from plants, salt is a rock, and it’s the only rock we sprinkle on food. So next time you season your meal, remember: you’re eating tiny rocks!