Which shaker DOES the salt go in? Does it matter? There is an actual salt and pepper rule. To identify the salt and pepper shakers, it all has to do with the number and size of the holes and your level of commitment to insanity.
People are creatures of habit and of doing things just because that's the way they're done. This is the only explanation for why we leave pie to the end of the meal instead of the more obvious choice of EATING IT FIRST. It's just the way it's done.
Unless it's Blueberry pie because blueberry pie as you probably know is one of The 4 True Pies all of which can be eaten before, during or after meals.
The other thing most of us do is put the salt in the shaker with the most amount of holes. The pepper goes in the shaker with the fewer amount of holes. That is the "rule".
The Salt & Pepper Shaker Rule
Because we're law abiding citizens and we like to follow rules to help maintain a balanced life and orderly society, we do this. We follow the salt and pepper rule.
Well I am here to tell you right now that society is about to become unhinged. It might make more sense to break the salt and pepper rule. I know. Everybody calm down.
I broke all the rules when I went on record declaring I didn't like the Instant Pot after testing it for a month.
Here's the reasoning behind my thumbing my nose at social norms for salt and pepper. Pepper is bigger and lighter. It has a harder time flowing out of the holes. Salt is finer and heavier. It has an easier time flowing out of holes. So doesn't it make sense to put the pepper in the shaker with more holes, and the salt in the shaker with fewer holes?
Yes. I think it does. It does make sense.
And before you start running for the bomb shelter and screaming through the streets, consider this. I actually changed my salt and pepper shakers over 9 years ago. And since then society has stayed pretty much the same. Aside from ... you know.
Of course I don't really use my salt and pepper shakers. I have the pepper grinder I turned myself for all my pepper needs.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
And for salt I keep it in a wood bowl and usually just use my fingers to grab some. Why yes, I *do* get salt under my nails every time I do this.
I know about now you're thinking about switching around your salt and pepper shakers but you're worried. What will people think of you? What will happen at the next family dinner when people shake the salt and pepper comes flying out? Nothing. Nothing will happen. Frankly their eyebrows will be so long they won't be able to see which is which anyway.
Fun Facts About Salt
1. Until 100 years ago or so, pound bars of salt were the basic currency in Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia). Some say in very small regions it is still treated as currency.
2. In the early 1800s salt was 4 times as expensive as beef on the frontier – it was essential in keeping people and livestock alive.
3. Kosher salt is indeed, not kosher. It gets its name because the larger salt you know as kosher salt, is what was used when koshering (removing blood from) meat. Larger, salt crystals allowed the surface blood to be removed without absorbing into the meat. So kosher salt could be washed off without affecting the taste of the meat unlike a fine salt.
4. There are 32 references to salt in the bible, the first one being in The Book of Job.
5. Salt is poisonous. But only when consumed in large quantities. That's why in China it used to be a way of committing suicide. And quite a reputable one at that. All the upper crust chose to commit suicide by salt because it was so expensive. Even in a suicidal state there's time for elitism.
6. One of the first known taxes in the world was issued in the year 2200 BC by the Chinese emperor Hsia Yu. He taxed salt. Perhaps it was a way to cut down on suicides.
7. Throughout time, salt has typically been used as money. At one point it was known to trade at the same value as gold. So one ounce of salt was worth the same as an ounce of gold.
Fun Facts About Pepper
1. Historically, pepper was also worth a lot of money, but my sense is that the pepper people are just trying to keep up with all the good salt stories.
2. Andddd that about concludes the "interesting pepper facts".
Not convinced by the salt and pepper rules? You can drill bigger holes into your shakers. Read my tutorial about it here.
Cara M Powers
And did you know that Salem, MA (where the gruesome witch history occurred has an intense history of PEPPER. Pepper fortunes were made by folks who traded it. There are dramatic facts on this topic.
Ann
The reason salt goes in the shaker with more holes, is that on average, on uses more salt on food, in a recipe, ect than they use black pepper.
The only salt and pepper shakers I use at home are labeled very clearly as to being salt or pepper. Usually because I keep them in the original shakers that I buy them in, LOL. We are a laid back group of family members who might just, upon occasion, eat food directly from the can that it came in from the store...Well, at least my husband does, when he wants to eat a can of fruit or possibly tuna
Kat - the other 1
My nails occasionally separate from the nail bed, so getting salt under them can be potentially quite painful. Ow.
I've always wondered about tv chefs who handle the raw meat then stick their fingers in the salt box. (Repeatedly.) Doesn't that contaminate the salt? I know it has antibacterial properties, but that still doesn't seem like a great idea. (?)
Karen
If they're doing that on/for television, they're just throwing the salt out afterwards I would guess. Most chefs are pretty meticulous about food safety. ~ karen!
Emily
I love my salt and pepper grinders, one pair for the table, the other pair on the kitchen island. My only problem comes in trying to figure out how much is being grinded for recipes. How many twists of Himalayan salt makes up a half a teaspoon??? Etc for the pepper, though not as critical, because you usually need a smidgen (and how much is a smidgen?). But yes, I do grind my seasonings; they are soo-o much better. XO
Randy P
Mostly a salt and pepper grinder person myself. That and one
special salt dispenser for a flake salt I like. I take it that here in the U.S. of A. we've historically followed the fewer holes for salt rule? So I'd never gven it much thought till now. My dumb-guy brain put the salt in the white shaker and the pepper in the black, assuming the good folks what made the shakers knowed what they wuz doin'.
Karen Quinton
Was expecting your comment about salt being used as money to end with ‘hence salary’. Is that not used in Canada to refer to one’s remuneration for work? Usually in the context of ‘annual salary’?
Donna Allen
And where does the expression "worth his -- or her? -- salt" come from? Does that lead to "salary"? Gotta research that.
Summer
According to good old Wikipedia, in the United States, typically salt is in the shaker with fewer holes for better control as excessive salt is considered unhealthy. In much of the rest of the world it is the other way around with pepper having fewer holes. I have always put my pepper in the shaker with more holes and salt in the one with fewer as it is more difficult to shake out pepper and to keep from over salting my food. At this point my shakers are basically decorative, as we grind everything now as well.
Rose Murray
Love your fun and off center posts. I too have been switching which shaker the salt and pepper goes into. Mostly because my doc wants me to cut down on salt so it makes sense to and as you say pepper is more inclined to clump and get stuck. Thanks for your informative blog.
Geti
Loved your thoughts on salt and pepper shakers! Loved all the fun facts too! You had me laughing out loud just reading about the dilemma of which goes where! We are definitely creatures of habit and our mother’s daughters at times!
Cindy
If one looks on etsy or ebay, one is able to find many vintage salt and pepper shakers labeled with an "S" or "P" denoting what goes in which one. If the number of holes differ between the two shakers, it is the "S" shaker that has more holes.
Tiana Espinoza
I just stumbled across your blog and you are hilarious! We as humans do tend to make ridiculous “rules” and bigger deals out of stuff then we should. That being said, your shaker theory makes much more sense. And I loved the fun and interesting salt facts.
Vero
I’m thinking
Jan Steliga
Great post! Love your Salt and Pepper shakers! Check out our vintage collection at janandjill.com.
Cheers,
Jan and Jill
Lynn Clark
Methinks the Big Question is ... who appointed Salt & Pepper Godz? Why do we need rules about it? Karen's grand followers prove yet again the infinite variety of opinions on every topic. It's so much more fun to follow your personal choices and surprise your family and guests - change up what's inside the shakers every time you get new ones. And it gives you a chance to watch them sit at your table, counting the holes in the little piggies or owls or elegant crystal shakers, trying to figure out what is inside. Just think of it as creating a mystery for everyone to solve. Take bets and collect the winnings so you can afford to buy that lovely pink Himalayan salt next week. Keep life interesting! =)
Darcy
I really thought, based on the title, that this was going to be about your approach to “silver foxes.” Very disappointing, Karen.
:)
Janet Schaller
I have been known to switch the tops in eating establishments so that the pepper has the bigger holes. I really like pepper.
Lynn Clark
Now that's funny, Janet Schaller!
Laura
I've always put my salt in the shaker with fewer holes. I always thought that was the way it was done. Also, I'm not a huge fan of salty stuff. Huh.
Annabelle
If you really want to rock your world, transition to one handed (battery operated) pepper grinders. Mine gives life meaning and makes cooking a whole new experience.
Marcia
Oh geez....please do not tell my husband about this. He would make me change out all of our salt and pepper shakers. His reasoning is that he likes pepper better and thus wants more pepper to come out. After 42 years of marriage, yes, we still disagree about this.
Patty DeMaria
I was astonished when I travelled to Ireland and found that all the restaurants there keep the pepper in the shaker with the most holes! It was a blinding epiphany!! (I have since recovered my sight, no worries)
As a person with arthritis in both hands I loathe and detest the salt and pepper grinders restaurants have chosen to use, no doubt to appear more hip and trendy. Don't make me work for my food! Fortunately I have no compunction about asking the server to salt and pepper my food for me these days.