Random Fascinating Things About Salt (19 items)

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  (#15) Adding Salt to Food Makes It More Aromatic

  We know that adding salt to food can bring out the flavors, but did you know that it can actually bring out the smells, as well? Adding salt to a cooking food releases more moisture, and this moisture brings out the natural aromas of whatever you're cooking, especially meat. We're not saying you should dump a bunch of salt on your cooking, but a pinch is bound to make your kitchen smell heavenly. 
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  (#13) Wars Have Been Fought Over Salt

  We're not just talking a few battles in any one region, either. Wars and battles have been waged over salt across the globe. Civil War battles in the United States were fought over salt. The El Paso Salt War took place in the old American West as well. More internationally, there were salt wars along the river Jordan; Napoleon was forced to retreat because his troops were salt-deficient; and the Roman salt trade was the source of many conflicts. To put it simply, salt has a long and vicious history.
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  (#19) Sea Salt is Not Lower in Sodium Than Normal Table Salt

  It's a common misconception that sea salt has lower sodium than its cousin, the salt we commonly see on restaurant tables. The difference between regular salt and sea salt (or kosher salt, for that matter) is the size of the crystals. Sea salt and kosher salt both have larger crystals, which mean fewer crystals fit into a single spoonful. However, all these types of salt are still 40% sodium by weight. Whether there are other health benefits to sea salt is a hotly debated matter. 
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  (#1) Without Salt, You Die

  Maybe you think you need less salt in your diet. While that might be true, under no circumstances should you completely cut salt out of your life. Your cells need salt to function, and having none can actually kill you. In fact, there have been cases of people drinking so much water that they dilute the salt in their bodies, which leads directly to their death. In short, you need salt to live. 
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  (#18) Salt Can Remove Wine Stains

  No, salt won't return your clean, white carpet to mint condition, but for a quick fix, salt can actually get out red wine stains. Simply smear a generous amount of salt onto the stain as soon as you notice it. Then, let it dry completely before washing vigorously with detergent and water. The salt will keep the stain from seeping into the fabric by absorbing the moisture, and it will draw out the wine's color, too. This is an old method, but it still works in a pinch. 
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  (#4) Salt Used to Be More Valuable Than Gold

  Has anyone ever told you that you were "worth your salt?" For the ancient Carthaginians, that was high praise indeed. For them, salt was valued as equal to its weight in gold, if not more! It was even sometimes called "white gold" because of its great worth. It is from this high-value trading that we get the previously mentioned compliment, so it's definitely one to take to heart. 

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