Some things are better in pairs -- like salt and pepper. They are, after all, the simplest staples of everyone’s spice cabinet today. Salt and pepper are also inexpensive items. You can find them anywhere, in various forms -- whether in small, individual packets at fast food restaurants or in specialized shakers or grinders (as in the case of pepper). But where did these basic, everyday spices originate?
Pepper originated as a spice in prehistoric India, probably first grown on the Malabar Coast in what is now Kerala. The spice is still a major crop of this region. Pepper was a prized trade good, often referred to as “black gold”. Romans referred to both black peppercorns and their cousin -- the chile pepper -- as “piper.” In Europe, the chile pepper was more popular, because it was easier to cultivate in the climate. Until the Middle Ages, nearly all the black pepper found in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East came from India. In ancient Greece, black pepper was an uncommon and expensive indulgance that was most often enjoyed by only the wealthiest citizens.
In spite of the expense, black pepper became immensely popular in the Roman Empire. Pepper became so valued that it was often used as currency. It was also viewed as a tool which some argue contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire. In fact, both Attila the Hun and Alaric the Visigoth demanded more than a ton of pepper from the Romans as ransom. Often used to disguise the off taste of spoiling meat, pepper was highly valued for its pungent flavor and aroma. By the 16th century, pepper was being grown in other areas such as Sumatra, Madagascar and Malaysia. These areas traded mostly with China or used the pepper locally, and most of Eastern Europe continued to trade with Indian spices. Black pepper and other assorted Indian spices changed history. It was the spice trade that brought Europeans to India. This trade inspired European sailors to find a sea route to India, which also led to discovery and colonization of those countries (as well as the Americas).
The history of salt can be traced even further back in time. Ancient records show taxes on salt as far back as the 20th century BC in China. Salt was used as a preservative for all kinds of foods, and it eliminated the need of the populations to eat only seasonal foods. It was, however, difficult to obtain. As such it too became a valued trade item. In fact, salt remained as such until the early 19th century.
Salt comes from sea water and rock salt. Rock salt is harvested from beds of sedimentary evaporated minerals in dried up lakes. In present day United States and Canada, underground salt beds are found anywhere from the Appalachian basin in western New York State to Ontario, as well as under the Michigan basin. Extensive underground salt beds also exist in Cheshire and Droitwich in the United Kingdom. Salt is obtained from these beds by mining or solution mining -- using water or brine, from which salt is extracted via evaporation. Like pepper, salt was often used as currency.
Like so many other exciting things we find in our kitchens, salt and pepper are compliment each other quite nicely. Though they may have varied origins, their modern day uses have proven that they are well suited to each other.