Why are Salt & Pepper used together?

Summary

Who Smarted? - Episode Summary: "Why are Salt & Pepper Used Together?"

Release Date: March 21, 2025
Podcast: Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
Host/Author: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media

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1. Introduction to Characters

The episode begins with the Narrator enjoying plain scrambled eggs, only to be interrupted by two enchanting characters—Salty, the Salt Fairy, and Pep, the Pepper Fairy. Their whimsical introduction sets the stage for an engaging exploration of the ubiquitous salt and pepper duo.

• [00:02] Narrator: "Hey, smarty pants... I'm having some scrambled eggs, plain, with nothing on them."
• [00:25] Salty: "Hey, how you doing? The name's Salty. Think of me like a salt fairy."
• [01:08] Pep: "It's just me, Pep, the peppery Pepper Fairy."

2. The Debate: Salt vs. Pepper

Salty and Pep quickly engage in a friendly banter, each advocating for their importance in enhancing food. The Narrator finds himself at a crossroads, unsure whether to add salt, pepper, or both to his eggs.

• [00:44] Salty: "I couldn't help noticing you don't got no salt on your eggs."
• [00:54] Salty: "So how do you know you don't like it if you ain't never tried it?"
• [04:28] Salty: "Add me. Add me."
• [04:30] Pep: "No. And me. And me."

This playful exchange leads to the central question of the episode: Why are salt and pepper used together?

3. Condiment or Seasoning?

The Narrator seeks clarity on whether salt and pepper are condiments like ketchup and mustard or seasonings. The answer is nuanced, as both are considered seasonings and condiments despite their different botanical classifications.

• [04:32] Narrator: "Well, first, let's answer a basic question. Are salt and pepper a condiment like ketchup and mustard, or a seasoning?"
• [04:58] Salty: "Good stuff, trusty. You gonna add me to your eggs now?"

4. Historical Context: 17th Century France

To uncover the origins of the salt and pepper pairing, the Narrator turns to history, consulting a French Chef from the 17th century. This segment provides a rich historical backdrop, explaining how salt and pepper became synonymous in culinary practices.

• [05:22] Narrator: "I overcame ordered a book on the history of salt and pepper."
• [06:13] French Chef: "Oui, oui, excusable, monsieur. But who are you and what are you doing in my kitchen?"
• [07:02] French Chef: "Salt is the essence of flavor. And pepper is the king or queen of all spices."

The French Chef elucidates that in 17th century France, salt and pepper were preferred over other spices due to their availability and ability to enhance flavor effectively.

• [07:52] Narrator: "Since these spices from India, China and the Americas were no longer associated with wealth and status, the French elite believed less is more."

5. Salt: Uses and Importance

Salty elaborates on the multifaceted uses of salt beyond seasoning, highlighting its role in various industries and daily life. The discussion emphasizes that only 6% of salt in the United States is used for food, debunking the common misconception that its primary use is culinary.

• [08:22] Salty: "I'm a mineral. But hey, did you know I'm the only family of rocks eaten by people?"
• [08:36] Narrator: "There are also tons of uses for salt besides eating it. In fact, only 6% of salt in the United States is used for food."

Salty also touches upon the essential role of salt in human biology.

• [09:31] Narrator: "The answer is coming up right after this quick break. This episode is brought to you by ixl."

6. Pepper: Origins and Significance

Pep delves into the origin of peppercorns, revealing that they are, in fact, berries. This botanical insight adds depth to the audience's understanding of pepper's journey from fruit to the spice we know today.

• [15:00] Salty: "Yeah, well, I come from rocks."
• [15:02] Narrator: "Can you guess what Peppercorns actually start out as? If you said C, berries, you're right."
• [15:45] Pep: "Okay, so I'm really a berry big deal."

Pep further explains the cultivation and processing of peppercorns, emphasizing their historical value and widespread trade.

• [16:05] Pep: "Ah. What do you say to that, Salty?"
• [16:08] Salty: "Hey, I was the one used as currency."

7. Fun Facts and Historical Tidbits

The episode is peppered with fascinating historical facts that highlight the significance of both salt and pepper in ancient cultures.

• [13:57] Narrator: "Humans typically need an average of 200 milligrams of salt per day."
• [14:13] Salty: "Before refrigeration, people would coat their food with salt, allowing it to remain edible for longer periods."
• [16:19] Salty: "Salt can preserve food and keep it fresh."
• [16:46] Pep: "Ha ha. I know. Peppercorns."

A particularly intriguing revelation is the discovery of peppercorns in the nostrils of King Ramesses II, underscoring pepper's ancient value.

• [16:44] Narrator: "They found two peppercorns tucked inside his mummified nose."
• [16:49] Narrator: "Pepper was considered so valuable that people wanted to put it up the noses of royalty for all eternity."

8. Reconciliation and Conclusion

The friendly rivalry between Salty and Pep culminates in a heartwarming reconciliation, reinforcing the idea that both seasoning agents are essential and complementary.

• [17:19] Salty: "You're right. Sorry I was so salty, Pep."
• [17:23] Pep: "Sorry I got so hot. Salty."

The Narrator finally decides to enhance his scrambled eggs with both salt and pepper, experiencing firsthand the delightful synergy brought by the duo.

• [17:35] Narrator: "Here, Go. Mmm. The salt really brings out the flavor of the eggs. And the pepper adds the perfect amount of kick."

9. Production Credits

The episode concludes with acknowledgments to the creative minds behind "Who Smarted?" and highlights the collaborative effort that brings such educational and entertaining content to life.

• [17:50] Narrator: "This episode 'Salt and Pepper' was written by Nat Brower and voiced by Adam Tex Davis, Jenny Chan, Max Kamasky, and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Salty Hahn."

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Episode Insights:

"Why are Salt & Pepper used together?" masterfully intertwines humor, historical facts, and scientific explanations to educate young listeners about the importance and origins of two everyday kitchen staples. Through engaging characters and interactive dialogue, the podcast not only answers the titular question but also instills a deeper appreciation for the roles salt and pepper play in our lives.

Notable Quotes:

• Salty: "Scratch that. Millennia. I am a man of all seasonings." - [01:52]
• Pep: "A pinch of pepper makes everything better." - [01:18]
• Narrator: "Humans typically need an average of 200 milligrams of salt per day." - [13:57]

Conclusion:

"Who Smarted?" successfully transforms mundane kitchen conversations into captivating educational adventures. By blending storytelling with factual information, the podcast fosters a love for learning in children and provides valuable insights for parents and educators alike.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Hey, smarty pants, if there are three things I love, lunch is two of them. Of course, you can't eat lunch until you've eaten breakfast. So right now, I'm having some scrambled eggs, plain, with nothing on them. Excuse me while I take the first bite.

[Salty]

Whoa, whoa. Don't eat that yet.

[Narrator]

Who are you and how'd you get on my shoulder?

[Salty]

Hey, how you doing? The name's Salty. Think of me like a salt fairy.

[Narrator]

A salt fairy?

[Salty]

That's right. Tough guy, huh?

[Narrator]

Well, you do look a little like a salt shaker with wings.

[Salty]

I couldn't help noticing you don't got no salt on your eggs.

[Narrator]

I never put salt on my eggs. I like them plain.

[Salty]

Plain? What's the matter with you? Have you even tried salt on your eggs?

[Narrator]

No, I guess I haven't, but.

[Salty]

So how do you know you don't like it if you ain't never tried it?

[Narrator]

True. You probably sound like every parent listening right now. Am I right? Hey, O, who are you and how'd you get on my other shoulder?

[Pep]

It's just me, Pep, the peppery Pepper Fairy.

[Narrator]

Ah, of course. You're a little peppermill. Also with wings.

[Pep]

You know what they say, a pinch of pepper makes everything better.

[Salty]

Pfft. I've never said that.

[Pep]

Oh, hey, Salty.

[Salty]

Sup, Pep. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you here.

[Pep]

Same.

[Narrator]

Obviously, you two know each other. After all, you pretty much always see and hear about salt and pepper together.

[Pep]

Unfortunately.

[Salty]

Most unfortunately.

[Narrator]

Wait, do you two not get along?

[Salty]

No, we get along. It's, you know, just.

[Pep]

People only tend to think of us together when in fact, we're quite different.

[Salty]

Salt is the very essence of flavor and has been used by humankind for centuries. Scratch that. Millennia. I am a man of all seasonings.

[Pep]

Yeah, well, pepper adds a perfect punch. And the peppercorn that ground pepper comes from has also been around quite a long time, too. And I don't just enhance flavor like this white sand does. I actually change the flavor of food.

[Narrator]

To something spicy or sharp.

[Pep]

You got it.

[Salty]

I'm telling you, trusty narrator, add a dash of me to your eggs.

[Pep]

No. Add me.

[Narrator]

Yikes, smarty pants. Which should I try? Have you ever tried salt and pepper? Can you really have one without the other? And how, why, and when did salt and pepper become so commonly used in pretty much every. Everything. It's time for a spicy whiff of science and history on who's smarted, who's smarted?

[Salty]

Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science? Or History. Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun on who's smarted.

[Narrator]

Hey, smarty parents. I love Green Chef because of how absolutely easy the meals are to make and how every night it feels like we're eating at a restaurant right at home. The variety is excellent and includes meals for special diets like keto, gluten free and calorie smart. With pre portioned ingredients, there's less prep, less mess, and more time to enjoy delicious meals. Green Chefs eat easy to follow directions means my kitchen phobic family members actually cook when we get our Green Chef kit. And it's a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen too. Plus, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, which lets me switch between the brands for even more variety. And now my listeners can enjoy both at a discount with me. Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green chef. Go to greenchef.com smartedfree and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. That's greenchef.com smartedFree and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50 percent off your first box. Green Chef, the number one meal kit for eating well. Smarty pants, you've probably noticed salt and pepper in their own little shakers or containers at most restaurants, diners, or even your dinner table at home.

[Salty]

Add me. Add me.

[Pep]

No. And me. And me.

[Narrator]

But why is that? What makes salt and pepper the go to pairing? Well, first, let's answer a basic question. Are salt and pepper a condiment like ketchup and mustard, or a seasoning? Did you say both? Well, if so, you're right. While salt is a mineral and pepper is a spice, both are considered seasonings and condiments.

[Salty]

Good stuff, trusty. You gonna add me to your eggs now?

[Pep]

Don't forget me if you want to really bring the flavor.

[Narrator]

Okay, okay, okay. Hang on. I've never added salt or pepper to my scrambled eggs before. So before I add one or both of you, I need to know more about you.

[Salty]

Fine. Let me tell you how great salt is.

[Pep]

Then I can tell you why pepper is better.

[Narrator]

Yeah, that's just it. You two are pretty biased. I need an impartial source of information. Which is why I overcome ordered a book on the history of salt and pepper.

[Salty]

Hi, I've got a delivery here for a trusty narrator.

[Narrator]

That's me. Thanks. Best of all, it's the completely downloadable into my brain version. I just need to stick these electrodes to My head Next, I'll just upload the data. Aha. Now I know everything there is to know. How about salt and pepper? Okay, smarty pants. While it's true that both salt and pepper are the dynamic duo of dining, it wasn't until fairly recently, 17th century France to be exact, that they were brought together in culinary harmony.

[French Chef]

Oui, oui, excusable, monsieur. But who are you and what are you doing in my kitchen?

[Narrator]

Don't mind me, French chef. I'm just a trusty narrator here to show the smart smarty pants the origins of salt.

[Salty]

Yo, how you doing?

[Narrator]

And pepper.

[Pep]

Hey.

[French Chef]

O. I see. Should I be concerned that my ingredients are talking?

[Narrator]

Nah, it happens all the time. On who Smarted. Anywho, the year is 1650 and things look surprisingly similar to what you'd see around the kitchen today. What's cooking, Chef?

[French Chef]

Why, I have a roast chicken, a bisque, how you say soup, and hey.

[Narrator]

Is that scrambled eggs?

[French Chef]

Oui. L'omelette.

[Narrator]

Tell me, French chef, do you use a lot of salt and pepper in your scrambled eggs?

[French Chef]

Les omelette.

[Narrator]

Yes, les omelette.

[French Chef]

But of course, salt is the essence of flavor. And pepper is the king or queen of all spices.

[Narrator]

Aha. And what about other spices or seasonings? Do you use anything else? Eh, not really, Smarty pants. What do you think the reason for that is? Is it because other spices didn't exist or weren't available yet? Or because other spices were too common? The answer, surprisingly, is that other spices from around the world were too common. Huh?

[French Chef]

Oui.

[Narrator]

It is true.

[French Chef]

Even exotic spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric and cinnamon were commonly available to pretty much anyone in France.

[Narrator]

And since these spices from India, China and the Americas were no longer associated with wealth and status, the French elite believed less is more. So they decided to keep it simple and just use the two seasonings that brought the most flavor to the party.

[Pep]

A little salt and some pepper.

[Narrator]

And this less is more approach to spice became not only the rule of thumb in 17th century France, but is still used in today's cooking.

[Pep]

Of course, only one of us is actually a spice.

[Narrator]

Hey, that's true. Do you remember from earlier what I said salt was? That's right. Salt is actually a mineral known as sodium chloride.

[Pep]

Which means you come from a rock.

[Salty]

Alright, so I'm a mineral. But hey, did you know I'm the only family of rocks eaten by people. That's pretty cool.

[Narrator]

You know what else is cool? There are also tons of uses for salt besides eating it. In fact, only 6% of salt in the United States is used for food. Smarty pants. Can you guess what other uses there are for salt? A Keeping ice off roads and sidewalks, bike helping plants to grow, c To relax in the bathtub or D All of the above. If you answered d all of the above, you're right.

[Salty]

And that's not even all of it. The list for yous and me goes on and on and on.

[Pep]

Oh really, really?

[Salty]

True or false? Salt can preserve food and keep it fresh.

[Pep]

False.

[Narrator]

Nope, it's true. Before refrigeration, people would coat their food, particularly meat and fish, with salt, allowing it to remain edible for longer periods of time. This is also called curing.

[Salty]

True or false? Your body requires salt to be healthy.

[Pep]

That has to be false.

[Narrator]

The answer is coming up right after this quick break. This episode is brought to you by ixl. As someone who's constantly balancing work and life, I know how tough it can be to make sure kids get the academic support they need, whether they're homeschooled or in a traditional classroom. That's why IXL has been a lifesaver. It's an online learning program that covers math, language arts, science, and social studies with interactive practice problems, games, and video tutorials. Plus, it makes learning fun, just like whosmarted. For homeschool parents, iexcel is the perfect supplement to your curriculum, giving kids personalized learning at their own pace. And for parents of traditional school kids, it is a great way to reinforce what they're learning in class, whether they need extra help or are just looking for a challenge. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL today. Podcast listeners get an exclusive 20% off when you sign [e-mail] smarted. Visit ixl.com smarted now to give your child the best learning support available. Ixl where learning Clicks this episode is brought to you by Squarespace. Smarty Pants it's quiz time. If you wanted to start a business, share your ideas with the world, or finally launch your site about history's weirdest inventions, what is the smartest way to do it? Is it A shouting your message from the top of a volcano? B training an army of synchronized skywriting parrots, or c building a sleek professional website with Squarespace. If you said C, Congratulations, you win the Internet. With Squarespace's design intelligence, you can build a beautiful website in minutes. No coding, we wizardry or secret handshake required. Want to sell stuff? Squarespace Payments lets you accept Apple Pay, Klarna, and even credit cards. And because social media runs the universe. Squarespace seamlessly connects your site to Instagram, YouTube and more, so your fans or future customers can easily find you. Start your free trial [e-mail] smarted and when you're ready to launch, use code smarted to save 10% on your first website or domain. Now who's ready to make history? Hey smarty parents. I love Green Chef because of how absolutely easy the meals are to make and how every night it feels like we're eating at a restaurant right at home. The variety is excellent and includes meals for special diets like keto, gluten free and calorie smart. With pre portioned ingredients, there's less prep, less mess, and more time to enjoy delicious meals. Green Chef's easy to follow directions means my kitchen phobic family members actually cook when we get our Green Chef kit. And it's a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen too. Plus, Green Chef is owned by HelloFresh, which lets me switch between the brands for even more variety. And now my listeners can enjoy both at a discount with me. Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green chef. Go to greenchef.com smartedfree and use code smarted free to get free salads for two months plus 50% off your first box. That's greenchef.com smartedFree and use code smartedfree to get free salads for two months Plus 50% off your first box. Green Chef, the number one meal kit for eating well. Now back to who's smarted. So, true or false your body requires salt to be healthy?

[Pep]

False.

[Narrator]

Sorry, Pep, but it's true. Told ya, smarty pants. There's salt in every cell in your body. Humans typically need an average of 200 milligrams of salt per day.

[Salty]

What do you know? Looks like you can't live without me.

[Narrator]

Okay, last one. True or false? The word salary comes from the Latin word for salt. If you guess true. Nice. In ancient Rome, salt was considered a form of currency.

[Salty]

Thanks for fixing my arch, Tiberius. How much salt do I owe you? And before that, salt was used by the ancient Egyptians as religious offerings to the gods. Salt was buried with people and was even used in the mummification process.

[Narrator]

Whoa.

[Salty]

That's right. I hung out with mummies.

[Pep]

I'd rather be in someone's tummy than in a mummy.

[Salty]

Ah, you're just jelly.

[Narrator]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. There's no reason to be jealous, Pep. Just like salt, pepper is also good for people. Pepper is rich in magnesium and vitamin K and it Even helps with digestion.

[Pep]

Yay. Pepper rocks.

[Salty]

Yeah, well, I come from rocks.

[Narrator]

True. But pepper starts out as something pretty unexpected too. Smartypants, can you guess what Peppercorns, the things that get ground up into pepper, actually start out as. Is it A, pine cones, B, tree bark, or C, berries? If you said berries, you're right. Peppercorns, those little round pellets inside your pepper grinder, are actually berries. Peppercorns get picked when they turn bright red. Then they're boiled and dried out. Kind of like how a grape turns into a raisin. Only this kind of raisin isn't sweet. It's spicy.

[Pep]

Okay, so I'm really a berry big deal.

[Narrator]

It's actually a berry big deal because someone somewhere decided to pick you, boil you, dry you out, and grind you up. And it allowed you to become the most valuable, most traded spice in the world.

[Pep]

Ah. What do you say to that, Salty?

[Salty]

Hey, I was the one used as currency.

[Narrator]

Actually, pepper was also used as currency. In fact, back in ancient Rome, both salt and pepper were traded for goods and services.

[Salty]

Uh, I'm actually out of salt. Can I pay you in pepper? Yeah, well, I was in mummies.

[Narrator]

You sure were. But it turns out when archaeologists uncovered the tomb of King Ramesses II, the pharaoh who ruled Egypt from 1279 to 1212 B.C.E. they found something peculiar stuffed in the great king's nostrils. Any guess what it was?

[Salty]

I don't want to know.

[Pep]

Ha ha. I know. Peppercorns.

[Narrator]

That's right. They found two peppercorns tucked inside his mummified nose.

[Salty]

Achoo.

[Narrator]

Pepper was considered so valuable that people wanted to put it up the noses of royalty for all eternity.

[Salty]

Hey, congratulations.

[Pep]

We're both kinda gross, but also really valuable.

[Narrator]

You've also been paired together and appreciated by people for a really long time. It's time you two got along.

[Salty]

You're right. Sorry I was so salty, Pep.

[Pep]

Sorry I got so hot. Salty.

[Narrator]

Great. Now can I eat my scrambled eggs? I'm starving.

[Salty]

Whoa. Seriously?

[Pep]

You're not even going to try us?

[Narrator]

Fine. Here, Go. Mmm. The salt really brings out the flavor of the eggs. And the pepper adds the perfect amount of kick. There's just one problem.

[Salty]

What?

[Pep]

What's wrong?

[Narrator]

My eggs got cold. But I'm sure the dog will like them. Here, Luna. Here girl. A big shout out to Catalina and Luca in San Diego, California. These two eagle eared smarty pants caught a mistake in our competitive eating episode and helped prove that we have the smartiest fans of all. Keep smarting, U2. This episode salt and Pepper was written by Nat Brower and voiced by Adam Tex Davis, Jenny Chan, Max Kamasky and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Salty Hahn who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our associate producer is Max Spicy Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Pepper Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis, who's Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.

[Salty]

Who Smart Ed.