Welcome to Calm History. I'm Harris, and this podcast is my quirky mix of education with sedation.

So go ahead, lean back, put up your feet, and settle into my time machine of tranquility.

I hope this episode distracts and relaxes your overactive brain squirrels.

Today's episode is about the history of salt.

Yeah, I know.

Could I pick a more boring topic? And I agree. That does sound boring.

But here are some curious questions I'll address today.

What are the key differences between table salt, sea salt, kosher salt, and Himalayan salt?

What exactly is salt, and why is it important to health?

What would happen if you ate too much salt or ate too little salt?

If only 6% of the salt manufacturing the world is used for food-related purposes,

what the heck is the rest used for?

What do the words, salary, and salad have to do with salt?

How has salt been used in religion and war.

What historical role did salt have for Christopher Columbus,

the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and Mahatma Gandhi?

How exactly was salt extracted from seawater before the 17th century? I'll explain it, step by step.

And finally, I'll finish by telling you all about one of the largest and most fascinating salt mines

in history.

I'm talking about a salt mine that has over 150 miles of passageways.

I'll even walk you down into it and give you a guided tour.

I've found the history of salt so interesting that I've already started planning some bonus episodes.

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