Salt History

Today, most commonly thought of as a flavor enhancer, the historical uses of salt are significant and wide-ranging.  From its function as a preservative to a form of payment (salary) to it’s strategic role in warfare, salt has been a fascination to many.  Salt is essential to life, without it we could not survive.

Salt Terminology

 ·        Paludiers - traditional Celtic artisan sea salt harvesters

·        Nef  - Medieval salt cellars made of costly materials and decorated elaborately

·        Saltworks – Salt production

·        Salt Cellar – salt dish

·        Saltern – Clay hut used for early salt production

·        Salt Rakers – Traditional sea salt harvesters

·        Wallers – Women in the 14^th century employed to work the salt pans

“Salt is born of the purest of parents: the sun and the sea.”
Pythagoras (580 BC - 500 BC)