salt
Salt! Simple, pure, delicious Salt!Across all the Land, with its various climates, cultures and landscapes, salt may well be the single most common edible good. And yet, there is such a great variety of it, that one might spend a whole day just naming each different type of salt that can be found across this vast continent. From the common salt minerals to the cocoanut and refined salt, there are more types than one might imagine.
Manufacturing process
Salt is usually won in either one of two processes. It is either mined in the mountains and ground or the result of dried seawater.
To further refine it, salt can be mixed with other ingredients such as herbs and minerals or cured in a variety of different ways. There are smoked salts, soaked salts, infused salts and man others.
Then salt can also come in different forms, from the bricks of desert salt, to ground common table salt, salt sheets, wheels, cubes, flakes, powder or coated in a variety of other substances, each type of salt usually has its own common shape.
To further refine it, salt can be mixed with other ingredients such as herbs and minerals or cured in a variety of different ways. There are smoked salts, soaked salts, infused salts and man others.
Then salt can also come in different forms, from the bricks of desert salt, to ground common table salt, salt sheets, wheels, cubes, flakes, powder or coated in a variety of other substances, each type of salt usually has its own common shape.
History
Salt has been one of the first spices used by mortal races, the knowledge of its uses having been one of the gifts braught by the high spirits during the years of learning. Back then it was mostly used as a preservative, to allow fresh foods to be transported to soldier camps in large quantities to keep up fighting moral. Soon however, salt became a staple, common in every single kitchen, as its flavour enhancing qualities became known.
It was during the years of the Great Peace, that salt became more than a mere spice. With time and food on their hands, people began to experiment, seeing the different textures of salt, depending of its origin. Like so many other things, the original use of salt became less and less important, as more and more extravagant uses and processes were designed for salt. In more wealthy households, having multiple types of salt became the norm and even a thing to take pride in. Salt was traded over hundreds and thousands of miles, despite closer sources being at hand.
With the beginning of the Great Demonwar, salt became reduced to its uses as preservative and desinfectant and additionally became an alternative to money. Salt was precious and one was happy to have any at all.
After the end of the Demonwar, salt quickly became normalised again and over the ages the old trend of keeping a number of salts at hand was somewhat rekindled within nobility, but never to an extend as before.
It was during the years of the Great Peace, that salt became more than a mere spice. With time and food on their hands, people began to experiment, seeing the different textures of salt, depending of its origin. Like so many other things, the original use of salt became less and less important, as more and more extravagant uses and processes were designed for salt. In more wealthy households, having multiple types of salt became the norm and even a thing to take pride in. Salt was traded over hundreds and thousands of miles, despite closer sources being at hand.
With the beginning of the Great Demonwar, salt became reduced to its uses as preservative and desinfectant and additionally became an alternative to money. Salt was precious and one was happy to have any at all.
After the end of the Demonwar, salt quickly became normalised again and over the ages the old trend of keeping a number of salts at hand was somewhat rekindled within nobility, but never to an extend as before.
Significance
Salt has ever since its discovery been used as a preservative and food seasoning. Beyond that, it has traditionally been used as a sign of hospitality and was often given as gifts. During time of war - and in some cultures traditionally - it was even used as currency.
In houses of nobility and wealth, specially treated and crafted salt have at times been used as items of pride.
In some regions, special salt crafts, meaning different ways of harvesting, crafting or curing it have brought renown to its makers.
In houses of nobility and wealth, specially treated and crafted salt have at times been used as items of pride.
In some regions, special salt crafts, meaning different ways of harvesting, crafting or curing it have brought renown to its makers.
Rarity
Whilst salt is considered a common good, there are some extremely rare types that are handled for more gold than their own weight.
Comments