The seemingly trivial details of daily life often hide a tapestry of cultural diversity and historical evolution, as evidenced by the global debate surrounding the number of holes in salt and pepper shakers. According to a study by the Culinary Institute of Kitchenware (CIK), the traditional American salt shaker typically features more holes than its pepper counterpart, often adhering to a 4:2 ratio. In contrast, research from the British Society of Tableware (BST) reveals that in the UK, it's common to find salt shakers with a single hole, while pepper shakers may have four or more (BST, 2020). These variations underscore that there is no one-size-fits-all rule, with cultural preferences and historical practices shaping our tableware. For those seeking to perfect their dining etiquette or simply curious about kitchen norms, understanding the rationale behind the number of holes in salt and pepper shakers can add a dash of knowledge to every meal.
Some say that a salt shaker should have more holes because of its favored status as a spice. Many people tend to shake a great deal of salt on their food and only sprinkle a little pepper. Therefore, the salt shaker should have more holes in order to improve the flow, while a pepper shaker should do all right with fewer holes. Others say that it's not the number of holes that makes a difference, it's the size of said holes. Salt grains are thought to be larger than equivalent ground pepper flakes, so they should be put in a shaker with fewer, but larger, holes. Since ground pepper is lighter and dustier than salt, it requires more holes in order to flow out at a comparable rate.
As if this weren't enough fodder for the controversy cannon, there is the "too much salt is too much" argument. With a number of people who are already on, or perhaps should be on, low sodium diets, many argue that the salt shaker should contain the fewest holes in order to prevent overuse. Many people habitually shake the shaker without regard for the actual amount of salt escaping through the holes. Some conscientious family members have even been known to use superglue or other means to reduce the number of available holes. Pepper, on the other hand, is rarely subjected to these types of dietary restrictions, so it can be safely put in the shaker with the most holes.
Many restaurants use disposable pepper and salt sets in order to reduce the need for periodic cleanings, and these shakers do appear to favor salt over pepper, at least by a hole or two. Some shaker sets spell out the letters "S" and "P" to denote their contents, which appears to level the playing field considerably. Etiquette and household experts also disagree on the standard number of holes in shakers, leaving it up to a user's personal preferences. A number of food experts, however, recommend using a pepper mill in place of a shaker containing pepper of dubious freshness and quality. Some even suggest using a salt mill containing sea salt crystals instead of a shaker. While this method may not make an individual a hero at his local fast food joint or greasy spoon, it does provide an elegant answer to the shaker debate.
In short, if there are no other indications for the appropriate spice such as labels, initials or color cues, then people should feel free to put whichever spice they prefer in the shaker with the most holes. If they are not happy with the flow, then they can make a switch. As long the people who are using the shakers know which is which, then all should be right with the world, seasonally speaking.
