Salt is a crystalline mineral that has been an essential part of human history and culture for centuries. It has played a significant role in shaping the rise and fall of civilizations, and its discovery and history have been an important factor in shaping our cuisines, history, and culture 1. Salt has been referred to as “white gold” in many cultures throughout history, including China 1. The name symbolizes the value of salt, which has been considered a sacred substance by many cultures. Salt has been used as a medium of exchange, even replacing money in some instances 1. The birth and development of civilizations are closely related to the availability of salt. For example, just as civilizations emerged based on water resources, they also developed based on salt resources 1.<br /><br />The Chinese have a long history with salt. Li Bing started the world’s first salt production in China in 250 BC 1. The Chinese have called salt “white gold” because it was so valuable to them. Salt was used as currency in China, and it was also used to pay taxes 1. Salt played a major economic and cultural role in China’s history. It affected wars, cultures, political powers, religions, economies, and even food cultures in various ways 1.
