History of Salt

Salt has been used since pre-historic times in a variety of different manners, including currency and medicine. In addition, it has been used as a food preservative and enhancer. When used in cooking, salt is known to liven up the taste of food, balancing and intensifying the flavors. Salt has also been used for curing and pickling a variety of foods, including vegetables, fish, cheese and meats.

In a religious and cultural context, salt has played an important role; primarily symbolizing purity. The Bible contains more than thirty references to salt.

Salt is also a critical living element. Without salt, life would be virtually impossible due to the fact that the human body must have salt in order to properly function. Thousands of Napoleon's soldiers actually died while he was retreating from Moscow because there was no salt to help the healing of their wounds. Today salt is now used in more than 14,000 different commercial applications, including the manufacturing of pulp and paper as well as the setting of dyes in fabric and textiles. In addition, it is also used for the production of detergents and soaps. During the winter in extreme conditions, it helps make icy roads safe.

Salt was actually in general use far before recorded time. Chinese written history dates back 5,000 years and it is believed that the use of salt for pickling purposes predates that time. Egyptian art dating back to 1450 B.C. depicts scenes of salt making. Salt was an important element in the Egyptian culture as it was used in the mummification process. By the year 200 B.C., it had been discovered that salt could be added to food to prevent it from spoiling.

While most people today are not aware of it, salt has also historically been used as a currency. This was primarily due to the fact that currencies within different countries have always varied. As a result, salt served as an excellent international currency. The explorers commonly carried salt as a trading commodity. In Greece, salt was frequently given in exchange for slaves; resulting in the expression we now know today as "not worth it’s weight in salt." During the glory days of the Roman Empire, Roman soldiers were issued special rations of salt as part of their wages, which were known as salarium argentum. This is term from which our modern word of 'salary' is derived. Salt was such an important commodity that profits from the sale of salt were used to finance the construction of the Great Wall of China. Salt became such a valued commodity that during the 12th century it was valued as highly as gold. Traditionally, salt has been expensive and was often used in bestowing social standing. During the Middle Ages, salt cellars or salt shakers, were commonly only placed on the table within reach of those individuals who were deemed worthy of it. This is how the term 'below the salt' was derived.

Salt was so important in the ancient world that there are numerous references to it throughout many languages. Numerous words that we are familiar with today have been derived from the Latin word for salt, 'sal' including sauce and sausage.

Throughout history, salt has proven to be a necessity for a variety of purposes, including in terms of health and economics. In modern times we have been fortunate enough to have a plentiful and natural supply of salt and have not had to endure shortages such as was the case during the times of Napoleon and even more recently during the American Civil War, when the Union Army blew up salt works in the Confederacy in an attempt to hasten the end of the war.

Salt remains an essential part of life and we are certainly fortunate to be able to enjoy the many uses and benefits that it offers today.

Historically, the mud and salts from the Dead Sea have been used for a variety of purposes. The Egyptians collected the mud from the Sea to use as part of their mummification processes. After seeing the asphalt that frequently rises to the surface of the water, the Greeks named it the Lake Asphaltites.

The Dead Sea and the minerals contained in its waters have been clearly valued throughout history. Even today, with all of the modern inventions and cutting-edge technology that we have been able to produce, we still have not been able to replicate a product that provides the same benefits as salts from the Dead Sea.