A salt cellar is what people call a box with salt in it. It’s also called a “salt pig.” Salt cellars come in mutliple sizes, incluing quite large ones you can fit your whole hand into to grab some salt. And that is the purpose of a salt cellar. You put your salt in it and reach into it to get pinches of salt to put in or on your food instead of using a salt shaker or pouring the salt out of the carton. There are also fancier versions meant to put on the table for dinner. These come with a little spoon. Is a salt cellar a necessary kitchen tool?
The salt cellar has ancient culinary roots. The Romans used a salt container called a “salinum.” Those of wealth had a salinum usually made of silver. They were usually round shallow bowls. These salt containers became more elaborate by the Middle Ages and were often ornately decorated as a sign of wealth and status. These would stay in the family and be passed down from father to son. Together with the patella, the salinum was used during domestic sacrifice rituals. It is likely that the “master salt” was place in the middle of the table. For the poor, a simple shell may have served as a salt cellar. 1SALI´NUM. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. William Smith, LLD. William Wayte. G. E. Marindin. Albemarle Street, London. John Murray. 1890. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0063%3Aentry%3Dsalinum-cn The Greeks also had small containers assumed to be salt cellars, although they may have been used for other condiments.
By the 1500s, the master salt came to be called the “standing salt” in England. This salt was not passed around but remained in one place. This was eventually replaced by small salt cellars that were placed near plates.
The alternative name salt pig for a salt cellar or salt box comes from and old Scottish word for an earthenware pot, called a “pygg.” This has nothing in particular to do with salt.
Modern Salt Cellars
Today a salt cellar is usually only for cooking since we use salt shakers at the table. When used at the table, a small spoon is usually included.
A salt cellar is by no means a necessary tool to have in the kitchen. Of course you can salt without it, you probably already are. But, if you don’t mind it taking up a little space on the kitchen counter, a salt cellar or salt box can be very useful. You can also, of course, put salt into a plastic storage container but they are not as attractive nor are they as handy to use. Salt cellars come in different configurations, even without lids or only covered. But the most sensible ones for a home cook come with a hinged lid on top for easy opening.
Salt cellars are made from ceramic, wood, or metal. The formal tabletop version may be made of silver or silver-plated metal.
Salt Cellar Advantages
Using a salt box gives you more control over the amount of salt your put in your food. You may not always want to reach for a measuring spoon when you need to add a dash of salt here and there. Pouring the salt out of the carton is not a reliable or sensible way to control the amount you are putting in. And using a salt shaker comes with its own headaches, including a lack of control over the amount and the salt clumping and failing to come out.
When you pinch salt, you are controlling how much your pick up in your fingers. And, as you gain experience doing so, you will get better at gauging the amount of salt you are getting out of the box and dispensing into your dish. Salt cellars are also hany for scooping out a measuring spoon of salt when you need precise amounts.
- CORNERLESS: The interior forms a smooth bowl that is easy to pinch ingredients from as well as clean. Single piece sidewall/bottom creates a beautiful look
- ELEGANT: We designed it to feature a clean, seamless lid and body, no wood plugs, no filler. Just beautiful lines.
- Made from gorgeous acacia wood, known for its unique and natural contrasting patterns
- The lid conveniently swivels open and closed to protect contents inside and keep them fresher longer
- DIMENSIONS: 3.5diameter by 2.5 in tall.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Disadvantages Of a Salt Cellar
The biggest disadvantage of a salt cellar, besides the fact that it’s an extra container for something you probably already have a container for, is its cleanliness. You are placing your hands in it and getting salt out. Since the vessel is full of salt, it may not be too big an issue, since salt will eventually kill most bacteria. However, handling raw meat or poultry before reaching into the salt cellar for a pinch of salt without washing your hands, and using that salt on something that is not going to be cooked, could cause cross-contamination resulting in foodborne illness. The biggest issue is being safe and careful. Some even recommend putting a small amount of salt into a separate container like a ramekin when handling problematic foods, which defeats the purpose of the salt cellar.
And, a ramekin is a solution in itself. You can easily get into a habit of pouring a bit of salt into a ramekin, small bowl, or another vessel when you are beginning a cooking session. If you run out, you can quickly refill.
The most handy type of salt cellar is any type with a hinged lid for keeping debris out of the salt, as long as the opening is large enough to easily reach into.
Do You Need a Salt Cellar?
No. Most sources trying to convince you that a box made specifically to hold salt is something you really need are probably wanting to earn a commission. My advice is that you’d be much happier spending your money on a set of ramekins for your “mise en place” including salt. When it comes down to it, a salt cellar is nothing but a container with a label. You can put salt into anything of a similar shape. As long as you can reach into it to pinch out salt, it would work fine.
As well, unless you are running a restaurant and really need this kind of tool, keeping your salt in something that you’ve been continually putting your hand in? No matter how much of a preservative salt is, this is simply unsanitary.
