What does the word salt shaker mean?

For some reason, it seems as if there is no person in the world who does not know about the salt shaker. However, there are still people who do not know what this word can mean.

Salt occupied a special place among many peoples. Its properties and benefits were valued so highly that a special container was invented for storing this product - a salt shaker.

What is a salt shaker?

This is a small container designed for salt (both for storage and for serving). Often this product is one of the components of tableware, on which other items are also located: pepper shakers, mustard pots, gravy boats and vinegar pots.

A classic salt shaker is a small vessel with a lid in which small holes are located. Through them you can season dishes with salt in doses. The number and size of these holes can be completely different, depending mostly on the manufacturer. Fill the salt shaker after removing the lid.

It is believed that the salt shaker has some sacred meaning. For example, in his famous painting “The Last Supper,” Leonardo da Vinci painted it next to Judas Iscariot. It was overturned, which was considered a bad omen at all times.

However, today you can find another version of the salt shaker. It may not be a big jar at all, similar to gravy boat. In this case, the salt is taken with your fingers. Moreover, it was precisely these boxes that were called salt shakers until the middle of the 19th century.

Only in 1858, the American John Mason came up with another form of this item, which became the prototype of the modern product.

Interesting! Traditionally, a classic salt shaker has three holes on the lid, while a pepper shaker has only two. This insignificant difference helps avoid solving the mystery of what is in the containers if they are opaque.

What materials are they made from?

Today, salt shakers are made from different materials:

• glass;
• plastic;
• ceramics;
• tree;
• porcelain.

Of course, the most expensive salt shaker is porcelain, and in this regard the Gzhel plant is the leader, producing beautiful products with paintings and drawings. Glass and wooden items are the most popular: they both look aesthetically pleasing and are quite practical. Plastic ones are lightweight and durable (they cannot be broken), but such products will have to be changed every year, since the material can release toxic substances. Ceramic is also a common option for making small containers: it is strong and durable.

Salt shakers as a work of art

Today, both standard containers for everyday use and unique ones are produced: they can be made of valuable metals, oddly shaped, inlaid with stones or carved, painted. Often, unique salt shakers become collector's items.

Such an exclusive item will be an excellent gift for friends or an exquisite decoration for your kitchen. The design of salt shakers is varied - it can be either vintage or completely modern.