Wow Sam this was an incredible read about something I’d always taken for granted, but no longer. Thank you and also thanks for the music and the art. Blown away
Loved this article Sam thank you for bringing all your research and knowledge together. It is a great read and so informative. Please don't despair of substack it needs you 😊
Thank you Barbara, that means a lot. I only sometimes despair (mildly) when it comes to social media-type platforms. They don't feel social anymore, they're largely marketing media. But, ignoring that, I'm happy sharing pieces like this and hopefully encouraging all kinds of interesting ways of thinking and experiencing things.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I often shy away from getting too nerdy but this time I went right in. It's time to make detail and meaning a core of what this newsletter is about!
I recently heard that all sea salt contains microplastics...unless it has been removed by some process. The only plastic free salt comes from a fresh water lake in Colima, Mexico. It is still mined there the way the Incan's have and that on occasion the miners find some Incan treasures preserved in the salt. Isn't that cool? I might want to be a salt miner when I grow up. Lol
I’ve heard this too, though other salts are apparently plastic free too, such as unrefined solar sea salt from France. It’s also worth remembering that bottled water and most tea bags contain more microplastics, the difference is how much salt is consumed regularly, leading to an accumulation in the body.
Plastic is even in chewing gum and it’s no wonder that plastic is now found in our brain. It all adds up, doesn’t it? I’m gonna look into the solar sea salt….I’ve never heard of it. I make a lot of herb salts. Lovage and blackberry-thyme are my favorites.
thank you so much for the dispatch. please never shy away from being nerdy if you can. i ask this out of very selfish self-interest, as your nerdiness is an invaluable source of knowledge and interest and enjoyment for me — both in the historical and scientific notes and the more practical information (and i now need to find the closest possible motoi yamamoto exhibition as soon as i can).
i also have a question (relevant, i hope). i've seen people bake things (beets and pears, mostly) by putting a layer of salt on a tray and laying them on top, i think it's called salt-baking. i'd be curious to know if you're familiar with the method, what you think of it, and how it would affect the flavour and texture of the vegetable/fruit?
What an incredible piece of writing (and listening) this is Sam. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to share your knowledge and wisdom on such a fascinating subject. To top it off the music is a divine addition which I shall explore further.
I’ve just read that in Roman mythology, Salacia was the goddess of salt water who presided over the depths of the ocean. Clearly a devine and reverential role as without salt the sea would just be inseparable from any other body of fresh water. It’s always fascinated me as to what makes the sea salty and now I know who and what is responsible.
Whilst biblical in origin,"salt of the earth" today suggests something (ironically?) indissoluble, without which a person might be regarded as having no worth.
Wow Sam this was an incredible read about something I’d always taken for granted, but no longer. Thank you and also thanks for the music and the art. Blown away
You’re most welcome! I love exploring the meaning in details of life, and salt is such a detail. I’m so glad you found value in it.
Loved this article Sam thank you for bringing all your research and knowledge together. It is a great read and so informative. Please don't despair of substack it needs you 😊
Thank you Barbara, that means a lot. I only sometimes despair (mildly) when it comes to social media-type platforms. They don't feel social anymore, they're largely marketing media. But, ignoring that, I'm happy sharing pieces like this and hopefully encouraging all kinds of interesting ways of thinking and experiencing things.
Thanks for the post and also the music recommendation, I’ve forwarded the link to my choir director!
You are most welcome! The Lamb is a haunting piece, I'd love to hear it live one day.
What an excellent read! I enjoyed it immensely and learned so much. Thank you.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I often shy away from getting too nerdy but this time I went right in. It's time to make detail and meaning a core of what this newsletter is about!
I recently heard that all sea salt contains microplastics...unless it has been removed by some process. The only plastic free salt comes from a fresh water lake in Colima, Mexico. It is still mined there the way the Incan's have and that on occasion the miners find some Incan treasures preserved in the salt. Isn't that cool? I might want to be a salt miner when I grow up. Lol
I’ve heard this too, though other salts are apparently plastic free too, such as unrefined solar sea salt from France. It’s also worth remembering that bottled water and most tea bags contain more microplastics, the difference is how much salt is consumed regularly, leading to an accumulation in the body.
It’s a worrying time.
Plastic is even in chewing gum and it’s no wonder that plastic is now found in our brain. It all adds up, doesn’t it? I’m gonna look into the solar sea salt….I’ve never heard of it. I make a lot of herb salts. Lovage and blackberry-thyme are my favorites.
thank you so much for the dispatch. please never shy away from being nerdy if you can. i ask this out of very selfish self-interest, as your nerdiness is an invaluable source of knowledge and interest and enjoyment for me — both in the historical and scientific notes and the more practical information (and i now need to find the closest possible motoi yamamoto exhibition as soon as i can).
i also have a question (relevant, i hope). i've seen people bake things (beets and pears, mostly) by putting a layer of salt on a tray and laying them on top, i think it's called salt-baking. i'd be curious to know if you're familiar with the method, what you think of it, and how it would affect the flavour and texture of the vegetable/fruit?
p.s. Love the new logo! When will the caps, badges and t-shirts be available please? 🧢
What an incredible piece of writing (and listening) this is Sam. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to share your knowledge and wisdom on such a fascinating subject. To top it off the music is a divine addition which I shall explore further.
I’ve just read that in Roman mythology, Salacia was the goddess of salt water who presided over the depths of the ocean. Clearly a devine and reverential role as without salt the sea would just be inseparable from any other body of fresh water. It’s always fascinated me as to what makes the sea salty and now I know who and what is responsible.
Whilst biblical in origin,"salt of the earth" today suggests something (ironically?) indissoluble, without which a person might be regarded as having no worth.
Clearly powerful stuff!
Incredible writing about such a humble and nowadays basic ingredient