Why is it that salt makes everything taste better?

Question

And I don’t mean because I just like salty food.

Even with something basic like pasta, just adding salt can bring out more flavor in the dish beyond just the “salty” part. And I imagine there are 2 or 3 parts to the answer- why do we prefer the salted food? And what does the salt itself do to the food and it’s flavor?

Sorry if this is too subjective, but even amongst cooks there is a common belief that salt brings out flavor. My question is why?

Thank you

In: 1

Answer 1

Hans need salt. Salt is hard to come by. Therefore we have acquired a strong taste for salt.