Exploring the Forgotten Third Shaker: A Historical Dining Puzzle

Well, let me tell ya, sittin’ down for dinner’s a big deal. But it ain’t just about the food, ya know? It’s the little things too. Like those tiny bottles that sit on the table — the salt and pepper shakers. Now, I ain’t sayin’ they’re the most important part of the meal, but they sure got a place, don’t they? You could say they’re the third shaker at the dinner table, after the main dish and the dessert, of course!

Back in the day, when I was a young’un, it wasn’t so common to see a bunch of different spices and seasonings sittin’ on the kitchen counter. We had a few things, like garlic and maybe some paprika, but black pepper? Well, that was always sittin’ right next to the salt. They’re like best friends. One’s salty, the other’s got a little kick to it. You can’t have one without the other, right? Salt makes things tasty, and pepper gives it that little zing that just makes the food come alive!

It’s funny, though. A lot of folks don’t think about where all this started. You see, back in the 1800s, people had these fancy things on the table called cruet sets. They weren’t just for show, no sir! They had these little glass bottles for vinegar and oil, and of course, salt and pepper shakers. But here’s the kicker — there was a third shaker! What was in it, though, nobody really knows for sure. Some say it was mustard, others guess it could’ve been nutmeg or even sage. Can you imagine sittin’ at the table and lookin’ at three little shakers, wonderin’ what’s in that third one? Folks back then sure knew how to keep things mysterious!

But nowadays, we don’t see many fancy cruet sets, not unless you’re eatin’ at some high-end restaurant. Most folks just got their salt and pepper on the table. Maybe a few other things if you’re lucky, like some hot sauce or ketchup. But the salt and pepper? They’re always there. You’ll never sit down to a meal and not see ‘em. And it don’t matter if you’re at home or at a diner or even at a fancy dinner party, those little shakers are part of the scene.

Now, let me tell ya, the way those shakers work is a bit different in some places. Over in the States, we tend to be a little careful with the salt, what with all the health talk about too much of it being bad for ya. That’s why, in some places, they’ll put less holes in the salt shaker than the pepper one. Makes sense, right? You don’t wanna be dumpin’ too much salt on your food, but pepper? Well, that’s another story! You can sprinkle as much pepper as you like — gives things a bit of heat, but it won’t hurt ya none.

But it’s not just about the salt and pepper. Back in the day, like I said, people used all sorts of things to spice up their meals. Things like nutmeg, parsley, and even a bit of lemon. Can you imagine nutmeg on your eggs or your potatoes? Sounds a bit fancy for my taste, but I reckon it worked for some folks! Now we got all sorts of options, and you can add whatever you want to your food. But still, those shakers sit on the table, quietly waitin’ for you to use ‘em.

And let’s talk about those shakers for a minute. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, don’t they? Some are just plain old glass, and others are all fancy with designs and colors. But no matter what they look like, they all serve the same purpose — to give us just the right amount of salt or pepper. Ya don’t wanna dump a whole bunch of it on your food, just a little sprinkle here and there to bring out the flavor. It’s all about balance, ya see. Salt gives that savory flavor, and pepper adds a little spice. Together, they work wonders!

So, next time you sit down for dinner, take a look at those shakers. They might seem small and unimportant, but they’re part of the meal, part of the tradition. Whether you’re at a fancy restaurant or at home with family, those salt and pepper shakers will always have a place on the table. It’s just how things are. A little sprinkle here, a little shake there, and suddenly, the food tastes just right.

And who knows, maybe someday folks will start puttin’ a third shaker back on the table. What’s it gonna be, mustard? Nutmeg? Maybe something new? We’ll just have to wait and see!

Tags: [Salt and Pepper Shakers, Dinner Table, Condiments, Cruet Sets, Seasoning, Table Salt]