Salt
(noun)
A very basic ingredient that can make or break any dish; one of the reasons why you have to taste your food multiple times while cooking to know that you have got it right.
Cooking for one comes with its own set of challenges. Yesterday morning, I made egg bhurji. I had made it a couple of times and it’s a favourite dish of mine. Naturally, I made the mistake of assuming that I was an accomplished cook. I didn’t taste it as I was making it! As I sat down and took the first bite of chapati with egg bhurji, I realised my mistake. Any guesses as to what it was?
Did you know that “soldier” and “salary” are both derived from the root word “salt”?
According to Salt Association, “Roman soldiers were partly paid in salt. It is said to be from this that we get the word soldier – ‘sal dare’, meaning to give salt. From the same source we get the word salary, ‘salarium’.”
Salt used be a very scarce and expensive commodity. It was so valued that Romans soldiers were sometimes partly paid in salt! Salt was also responsible for a great civil disobedience movement that helped to set things in motion that changed the history of India forever.
And to think that now we call it common salt!
What are your thoughts? Do let me know. The comments section is all yours for the taking.
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My Random Ramblings 
Interesting salt trivia…..you will not notice the presence of salt in a dish but you will definitely notice the absence of it
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Yes. We will. It’s a key ingredient indeed, even for desserts! Thank you for reading. 🙂
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Oh yes! Salt is a deal maker and a deal-breaker!
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Exactly. Glad to know that you agree. 🙂
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I knew that getting paid in salt concept… But wasn’t aware that soldier word is derived from salt…
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Happy to spread the information. Certain sources say that ‘soldier’ is actually taken from ‘sal dare’ in Latin, which means– to give salt. Thank you for reading. 🙂
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Interesting about the salt as payment. I didn’t know that, but rather like that I know it now. Thanks.
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I’m happy to hear that. Thank you. 🙂
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Oh yes, how interesting it is… salt’s presence may not be felt, but it’s absence makes food tasteless.
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It is very important indeed though we may not always realize that. Thank you fro reading. 🙂
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Hi Shweta,
I’m glad I came by, thanks to your visit to my blog.
Thank you for this unique information about ‘salt”!
Wow, and we take so many things for granted including salt.
I love the cursive font on your blog.
Take care and stay safe.
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Thank you for dropping by. I really liked your post about hair! 😄
I’m happy to know that you found it interesting. We take so many things for granted, indeed. Thank you so much for your kind words.
I’m so happy to know that you loved the font. Glad to know that someone liked it as much as I did. 😄
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You have got some very interesting information regarding salt. I didn’t know them. Thank you.
All of us at home have very less salt in our food at home.
Thank you for coming over to my blog and for your comments.
I shall check some of your other posts.
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Thank you so much for reading. I’m happy to know that my post was interesting and enjoyable. I really enjoyed reading your posts. Thanks for returning the favour. 🙂
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I recall that pepper from the West Indies was also used as a means of currency. Thank you for your post, it caused me to investigate salt. I cannot believe how much information and history there is about salt.
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Oh, I didn’t know about pepper being used as currency in the West Indies. I’m happy to know that you enjoyed my post. Yes, it’s amazing how much history is linked to salt. I unearthed quite a few discoveries of my own while I was doing the research for this post. There was so much that I was unaware of. Thanks a lot for the visit. 🙂
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You are absolutely correct. It is the salt which can make or break a recipe.
When I was a kid, I used to observe mom putting little salt in food. I used to think if she adds a spoonful of other spices, then why not add more salt. Why recipe books mention salt to be taken according to raste.
When I started cooking, I got every answer. Even after cooking lots of dishes, I ask my mom how much salt to add.
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Ohh yes, initially I was so sad that they had not given a correct measurement for salt. But then as I started cooking, I understood that it depends on us. Same here, Richa. In my case, when it comes to non-veg!
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