Salt of the Earth

Feeling Salty

We’ve all seen, heard, and likely used the expression “salty” to convey an angry reaction, but the word has a rich nautical origin. Why nautical? Well, think about it: the sea contains salt, and because sailors spend most of their time on the sea, they are often coated with sea water and the salt from it. It’s no secret that sailors—and of course pirates—have also been known for their colorful and often rough language.  “He curses like a sailor.” In other words, he uses salty language.

From the salt of the sea to the salt of the earth, it is an element we’re all familiar with and we all need! We sit down to eat and often reach for the salt without even thinking much about it. Sweet and salty combinations are hot flavors right now, like salted caramel!  While the human body needs sodium chloride for its electrolytes and osmotic solute, too much can create some other issues. Those with high blood pressure and other health conditions need to watch their salt intake.

Hospitality

Salt of course has many other uses, from preserving and pickling foods to de-icing roads to use in beauty and cosmetics!  Ancient cultures welcomed guests with “bread and salt” and considered it an essential symbol of hospitality and protection.

Different types of salt have different purposes, textures, and effects based on their unique mineral content.

You’ve seen recipes call for kosher salt, sea salt, or regular table salt, right? Kosher salt has a larger grain size and does not contain iodine, a component of regular table salt.

Scrub-a-Dub

You’ve also likely seen the different types of salt used in our luxury organic skincare products. The Dead Sea has an excellent reputation for its therapeutic qualities, and that’s largely because of the composition of its salt. Dead Sea salt has a greater density than regular salt, containing less sodium chloride but more of other minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. The unique combination can be beneficial for hydrating skin and treating skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. Because of its texture, it also makes a great exfoliant, and that's why we use it in our Peppermint and Organic Dead Sea Salt Foot Scrub.

From the sea to the mountains, another salt––Himalayan Pink salt––comes from the rich salt fields of Pakistan and has its own benefits. It’s very pure and clean and because it also contains less sodium that table salt, there’s room for eighty-four other electrolyte-rich minerals that have a direct effect on our pH balance. While it makes a unique seasoning for food, it also creates a wonderful scrub when combined with other organic ingredients.

Whether derived from the land or sea, sprinkled from a shaker or spooned from a jar, salt has so many healthy and beneficial uses. It’s truly one of the most ancient and versatile elements.  Go ahead, get salty!

Do you have a favorite type of salt for cooking? What else do you use salt for?Tell us about it.