Salting (food)

What is Salting?

Salting is an old way to keep food fresh and tasty. People use dry edible salt to stop tiny, harmful things from growing in food. This helps food stay good for a long time.

People have used salting for thousands of years. Two famous foods made this way are salted fish, like dried and salted cod, and salt-cured meat, such as bacon. Vegetables like runner beans and cabbage can also be kept with salt.

Salt works by pulling water out of the tiny living things that can make food go bad. This makes them stop growing and helps keep our food safe.

Why Do People Use Salting?

Long ago, people used salting to save food for later, especially when they could not keep it cold. Sailors on ships stored salted beef, salted pork, and other foods in barrels for long trips at sea.

Even today, many places around the world enjoy salted foods. Examples include bacon, corned beef, ham, and pastrami.

Fun Fact

Salting is not just for meat and fish. Some vegetables are also preserved with salt, making them taste even better!