Salt, an indispensable ingredient in our kitchen, holds the power to elevate flavours and bring out the best in every dish. From savoury to sweet, salt is a crucial element that enhances taste and balances flavours. Its presence or absence can make or break a recipe, underscoring the need for precision. Whether it's a pinch or a measured amount, knowing how to sprinkle the perfect amount of salt over your food is key to achieving culinary perfection.
In the monsoons, we often encounter the problem of clumped salt, making it difficult to sprinkle over food. This is because salt is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. As a naturally dry and brittle substance, when it absorbs moisture, it loses its texture and forms clumps. To prevent this, it is important to handle salt carefully and keep it dry. By doing so, we can ensure that salt retains its original form, making it easier to sprinkle evenly over our dishes.
A few pantry ingredients can help prevent the salt from clumping and always keep it dry and ready for use. Here are 10 tips to keep your salt moist-free. Take a look:
Uncooked Rice Grains
Add some uncooked or raw rice to the salt in a shaker to keep it moisture-free. Uncooked rice is known to absorb moisture and keep the salt damp-free. This is considered one of the most effective ways to revive moist salt. Remember to use long-grain rice to prevent it from falling out of the shaker.
Coffee Beans
Plain, dry coffee beans are a good substitute for rice if you plan to keep the salt clump-free. They soak up the moisture from the salt. The coffee beans can lend a slight flavour to the salt; however, they do not change the flavour of the ingredient. Note that whole, unground coffee beans are required for this trick.
Dried Kidney Beans
If you are concerned that coffee beans can add flavour to salt, you have another excellent alternative. Try out dried kidney beans. They have no taste or odour and help absorb moisture from the salt. You can also add white or red beans. They serve the same purpose.
Dried Parsley
Fill up ¼ of the salt container by making a bed of some dried and chopped parsley. Besides lending a fresh aroma to the salt, it also helps absorb moisture, making the salt damp-free. However, cut the pieces of parsley a little bigger so that they do not come out of the salt-shaker holes.
Clove
Clove is an alternative to parsley, which absorbs the moisture from the salt and revives it to its brittle state. Cloves also add a fresh aroma to the salt, which goes well with any dish.
Soda Cracker
Although it is a short-term solution, it is an effective method to absorb moisture from the salt. Place the cracker below the salt container and cover the upper layers with salt. However, you have to change the cracker every 10–15 days. Note that crackers are thin and crisp biscuits made with white flour, yeast, and baking soda.
Toothpicks
Toothpicks can help absorb moisture from the salt and return it to its brittle state. Do not break the toothpicks. Keep it intact inside the salt container. Though this method may work, the above methods are way safer.
Store In Airtight Container
Keep your salt in an airtight container to protect it from moisture. This helps prevent the salt from absorbing moisture from the air, which can lead to clumping. Avoid using saltshakers with small holes in the top, as they allow air in, increasing the chances of clumping.
Consider Grinders
Grinders, although they may allow a small amount of moisture in, are designed to break up salt rocks effectively. The grinding mechanism ensures that the salt remains usable without significant clumping issues.
Choose a Cool and Dry Location
Store your salt in a cool, dry area to minimise the chances of it becoming damp. Exposure to water or high humidity can lead to moisture absorption and clumping. Opt for a dark pantry or cabinet that is away from moisture and warm temperatures. Keeping it away from stoves and ovens could help as well.