Salt of the Earth

If I have heard the expression once, that someone was, "The salt of the Earth," I must have heard it hundreds of times in my lifetime. There was a movie in 1954, "Salt of the Earth," Directed by Herbert J. Biberman, starring Will Geer, David Wolfe and Mervin Williams. The controversial movie was actually based on historical events. It was considered to be a landmark film about the strike called by Mexican-American and Anglo mineworkers in New Mexico. See wikipedia.org, Salt of the Earth In 2004, a documentary borrowed the old and oft used term, and added to it, "The Salt of The Earth: Palestinian Christians in the North West Bank." This documentary is often used to study the tension of life on the North West Bank and can be found listed in many class syllabuses. Christian Organizations list it as a sale item. Other resources often refer to it. It documents the lives of nine Palestinian Christians living on the northern West Bank. See the witherspoonsociety.org.

In 1968, the Rolling Stones used the phrase for the title of their last song, on their album, "Begger's Banquet" It was a reference, according to Jagger, about people's lack of power and is a "salute to the common workers of the world." The lyrics say in part, "...Let's drink to the salt of the earth..." and "Say a prayer for the common foot soldier. Spare a thought for his back breaking work..." See: lyriczz.com. There have been other musical references to the Salt of the Earth, including by Ricky Skaggs and the Whites; the band Lovedrug; and the MetalCore Band.

However, the true origin of the term, "salt of the earth," is found in the "Bible," in the "Sermon on the Mount": Matthew 5:13-16: "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men;" The reference to salt is found in the same section which tells us to not hide our lights under a bushel... See the trinitystudycenter.com I was moved to write about the salts of the earth, because of the recent buzz and marketing of the salts of the earth, used for preparing food. I recently watched a chef, who specialized in using the salts of the world, for the upper class cuisine he offers. Most of us are familiar with the white salt set on our tables, and used in our kitchens, since the trading of salt began. We are also taught in school; salt is essential to human life.

However, it almost seems we are almost moving backwards, regarding traditions of salt traders. In fact the word salary, found it's beginning in relation to the share of salt paid to Romans soldiers, at one point in history. "In ancient times, salt (or the lack of it) could drastically affect the health of entire populations. Trade in salt was very important, and salt was valuable enough to be used as currency in some areas. The Latin phrase "salarium argentum," "salt money," referred to part of the payment made to every Roman soldier, and the word has been carried down the ages into the English word "salary"." You will find an extensive history of salt, it's uses, it's importance in world health and world trading, by visiting: mygeologypage.ucdavis.edu . There is also a book: "The Cambridge History of Africa: From c. 1050 to c. 1600 / edited by J. D. Fage, Roland Anthony Oliver - 1986" - which touches on the story of leading Tuaregsalt traders, who were killed for their efforts.

Check out the Sampler of Epicurean Salts of the World, including 12 salts, which will only set you back, $69.95, excluding tax and Shipping and Handling fees. The salts have descriptive names related to the part of the earth they are from. Guaranteed, you will not find a barrel of Morton's salt in this list of exotic salts of the world. Visit: Earthy.com Some will claim the salts you find, to be even more pure than the salt of the ocean. Given what's happening to our oceans, I am not so sure about that, but it's what they claim. The ingredients of salts are an issue to salt connoisseurs. We start to see such claims as those pertaining to "Himalayan Pink Salt," which claims "...a sublime flavor from the ancient sea with rich minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron." This salt is referred to as "fossil salt." See: TropicalTraditions.com Today, we revisit one of the oldest and most essential commodities to human life, as companies are competing and depending on "new world" packaging and marketing. Once again, people are looking to be paid their "share of salt," selling one of the world's oldest products. Companies from different parts of the world add their own touch to the salt readily available to them, trying to make a niche for themselves in the salt trade. You can find such gourmet salt collections as a complete sampler including 24 mini glass jars, each with a hand milled cork top, displayed in a bamboo presentation box..." just $114.00 at kaboodle.com

"Salts are described as "...wonderfully unique, and presented the way only Quai Sud would think of, in a nice glass shot jar (reusable when empty of course)..." where just 7 varieties of salt can set you back, $79.00 -
109things.com

One of my less expensive finds is a 3-salt set which includes: "Smoked Sea Salt perfect for the grill," plus Cyprus Exotic Sea Salt, and Himalaya Pink Salt for just $29.50, at: isolaimports.com. And I am intrigued by salts which are named and make such claims as the: "Wasabi and Black Sesame Salt, a concentrated iodine salt with a crunchy flavor," which they state is meticulously harvested by hand using methods that have not changed for 20 centuries."

"Blue Sapphire Persian Salt," originating in Iran, is aid to be used like Fleur de Sel as a finishing salt. They say it is dotted with deep blue crystals and "...promising to add an exotic touch to your dishes..." Found at: touchofeurope.net

When I was a youngster, and sent to the market to pick up salt, I only had to worry about whether I was supposed to get ionized, or plain. Just like everything else this baby-boomer has known, all my life, almost nothing stays the same. Not even table salt. I wonder what Julia Child would have thought of all these fancy salts, if introduced to the possibilities of the salts of the world. I know the kitchen of Julia Child now stands in the Smithsonian Institute . I guess they better start clearing out the space for a display of the many Salts of The Earth. I will close, as Julia always closed: "Bon Appetit!"