What Is A Salt Cellar And Do You Actually Need One?

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For many cooks, salting food is so automatic that it warrants no attention. After all, become accustomed to a certain routine, and the concept of seasoning is overshadowed by grander cooking techniques. Yet this small crystallized mineral needs extra attention; it ends up in just about every bite. And there's no better way to give it the spotlight than by investing in a salt cellar.

A salt cellar isn't anything fancy — it's basically just a specialized name for a holding vessel. Models cover a range of designs: from a box to a cylinder, a quirky pipe-like container, or even one shaped like a charming piggy bank — though one of our favorites is a simple bamboo design. Some are available with a lid while others hold their salt in the open air. Regardless of their form, the function's the same — to let you salt with your fingers, uninhibited by shakers or grinders.

Chefs love to salt by hand (just think of Salt Bae), and you should, too. Rather than the rough estimate that's the shaker, your fingers finetune not only the amount of salt but where it goes. All the varying salt types pop with clarity, their grain and shape attuned to your tactile touch. Plus, it all makes the salting experience less clunky (as well as more fun), thereby encouraging seasoning more often — a move especially critical with cold foods. So purchase one of these charming containers and don't look back; your salting will shine.

In addition to enhancing seasoning technique, a salt cellar also offers advantages in storage. For one, you'll be glad to ditch the cardboard containers that the mineral is sold in, which absorb moisture and degrade, making it a not-so-sturdy vessel. By opting for a ceramic or glass container, you'll not only improve kitchen aesthetics but also help prevent your salt from clumping. Sure, you can add rice to prevent salt hardening in a shaker, but a salt cellar's wider shape and constant agitation eliminate the issue entirely.

Onto the fun part: picking out your salt cellar. Yes, you could just use a bowl already at home (avoiding metal to avoid corrosion), but cute shopping options beckon. Specialized vessels not only offer nifty features — like the proppable lid on the Zero Japan Salt Box — but also come in eye-catching designs. Take a look at the Le Creuset Stoneware Salt Crock, for example. Its striking red circular shape makes for a terrific countertop addition, adding to the décor even as it serves a purpose.