The History of Salt and Why We Cook with It
Did you know the human body can’t live without salt? Humans have had an insatiable taste for salt since the dawn of time. Here Red Rock Olives explores the history of this cooking essential and how humans have come to rely on it.
There are many myths surrounding this compound, but the most common misconception is that salt is bad for you. Salt is often linked to cardiovascular disease and while too much of it can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues, the human body also needs this nutrient to function. The body uses salt to balance fluid levels.
Soo… what’s the history of salt?
Humans have used salt for thousands of years. It’s enabled humans to preserve food, which is said to be a major contributor to the development of civilisations. This reduced human’s dependency on the seasonal availability of food and made it possible to transport food for lengthy distances and periods of time.
Throughout history, salt has been considered a precious commodity due to its scarcity. Empires were built and destroyed on the product of salt.
The oldest town in Europe, Solnitsata, was built at the site of a salt production facility, approximately six millennia ago. It is located in present day Bulgaria and archaeologists believe it supplied salt throughout the Balkan region.
During the early years of the ancient Roman civilisation, the first roads were built to transport salt easily to Rome – the capital city. A road now famously known as Via Salaria, runs from Rome to the Adriatic Sea, where salt was collected directly from production sites.
In the 16th century, a Polish kingdom with salt mines fell when Germans began capturing sea salt and competing in trade. Meanwhile in more recent times, Mahatma Gandhi organised a protest called the Salt Satyagraha, against the British salt tax. The non-violent march lasted 24 days and was a turning point in India’s independence from Britain.
It’s importance to the functioning of societies has left an unparalleled imprint on human history.
Why do we cook with salt?
At Red Rock Olives we’ve seen first-hand a human’s love for salt. Since the first bottle of Olive Salt was put on the shelf, it has been a bestseller amongst our visitors.
Understanding what salt does in cooking encouraged the expansion of our salt range and creation of our Red Rock Salts range. Salt has a multidimensional purpose in cooking. It minimises bitterness, balances sweetness, enhances aromas and increases our pleasure while we eat.
We believe salt is a non-negotiable in cooking, so why not make it extra flavourful? Like anything diet related, when managing our intake, it is important to use the best version of it. The salt used in Red Rock’s range is directly from the shore lines of South Australia and infused with incredible flavours to get the most out of this precious resource. From wintery Rosemary and Lemon Salt to an indulgent Shiraz Salt, our flavours get the cooking imagination going and all the while celebrate the historic importance of salt!