Salt and pepper shakers

Salt and pepper shakers are condiment holders used in Western culture that are designed to allow food eaters to distribute edible salt and ground pepper. [Nelson, W. (2007) [http://thecookskitchen.net/2007/01/04/spepper-%E2%80%93-salt-and-pepper-seasoning/ "Spepper – Salt and Pepper Seasoning",] The Cook's Kitchen. Retrieved 8/21/07.] This is a conjoined term for salt shaker and pepper shaker.

Usage

Salt and pepper shakers can be made from a variety of substances, including plastic, glass, metal, and ceramic. [Longenecker, E.Z. (1970) "Using the Slush Casting Method to Make Salt and Pepper Shakers." "School Shop. 29"(6) p. 56.] Except in the most casual dining establishments, they are usually provided as a matched set, sometimes distinguishable only by the number of holes on the top of the shaker. Designs range from small, plain glass screw-top containers (invented by John Landis Mason, who also invented the Mason jar) to much more ornate objets d'art. Sometimes the design makes reference to some pair of related objects, such as a replica of a West Highland White Terrier containing the salt and a Scottish Terrier containing the pepper; designs may also relate to specific occasions, such as holidays.

As a result of this diversity of design, collecting salt and pepper shakers is a popular hobby. [The Complete Salt and Pepper Shaker Book, Mike Schneider, Schiffer Publishing (1993), ISBN-10: 0887404944, ISBN-13: 978-0887404948] [Florence's Big Book of Salt & Pepper Shakers: Identification & Value Guide, Gene Florence, Collector Books (2002), ISBN-10: 1574322575, ISBN-13: 978-1574322576] [Collecting Salt & Pepper Shaker Series, Irene Thornburg, Schiffer Publishing (1998), ISBN-10: 0764304933, ISBN-13: 978-0764304934] [Salt & Pepper Shakers IV: Identification & Values, Helene Guarnaccia, Collector Books (1993), ISBN-10: 0891455477, ISBN-13: 978-0891455479] [1002 Salt and Peppers Shakers: With Prices, Larry Carey and Sylvia Tompkins, Schiffer Publishing (1995), ISBN-10: 0887407897, ISBN-13: 978-0887407895] [Collector's Encyclopedia of Salt and Pepper Shakers: Second Series (Figural and Novelty 2nd Series), Melva Davern, Collector Books (1990), ISBN-10: 0891454071, ISBN-13: 978-0891454076] Design of salt and pepper shakers has also been used to transmit cultural perspectives about race, [Holt, T. (1995) "Marking: Race, Race-making, and the Writing of History," "American Historical Review. 100"(1) p. 8.] [Dubin, S. (1987) "Symbolic Slavery: Black Representations in Popular Culture," "Social Problems. 34"(2) p 126.] friendships, [Henkes, K. (1998) [http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/PDF_files/chester.pdf "Chester's Way"] , "Scholastic". p. 1.] and other cultural values. [Hoffman, D.G. (1950) "Folk Tales of Paul Bunyan: Themes, Structure, Style, Sources," "Western Folklore. 9"(4) p. 316.]

The number and size of holes on salt shakers has been observed to influence consumption of salt, within limits, and it has been suggested that proper selection of shakers delivering smaller amounts may be a means to improve diet by reducing sodium consumption. [Fewell, A.U. (1916) "Diet Kitchen Methods of Instruction," "American Journal of Nursing. 17"(2). p. 108.] [Clark, D.E. (1953) "The Little Things Do Count," "American Journal of Nursing. 53"(7 ). p. 814.]

As an alternative to salt and pepper shakers, pepper may be distributed at the table by use of a pepper grinder, while salt may be distributed from a salt cellar, or less frequently now, a .

References