Why are salt & pepper most commonly used together as opposed to salt and garlic, or other spices?
In: Culture
Salt is basically a necessity in food – the human body requires some of it, and our senses have evolved to find it delicious. Since it improves the taste of basically any food when used properly, it’s very common in cooking, although there are other ways to improve flavor without using much of it in cuisines around the world.
Pepper is most common in Western cooking, but not quite as popular in other cuisines to sit on the tabletop. But it’s popular because it’s a mild flavor with a small amount of heat (if used in the right quantities) that tends to go well with meats and fish. The key is that it’s mild – it serves as a good baseline spice that can be added to nearly everything without overpowering the flavor of the food itself, unlike stronger flavorings like garlic, which is delicious but can overpower more delicate foods. Black pepper is used around the world, but on the table, other cuisines often use red pepper, pickled chilis, paprika, etc. to fulfill the same purpose – adding a small amount of heat and flavor that goes well with most dishes.
Latest Answers