Does putting salt on fruit make it sweeter?

1. 93

   Blond Logicposted 9 years ago

   Does putting salt on fruit make it sweeter?
   
   I know many people who sprinkle salt on apples and also on citrus fruits saying it makes them sweeter. I also know an older Japanese woman who always soaks her strawberries in salt water she believes this also makes them sweeter. Does this work and what is the science behind this.?
   
   

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2. 73

   Besarienposted 9 years ago

   I never cared for it myself but my dad used to salt watermelon. It is kind of a shock if you are not expecting it. I think some people just like the combination of sweet and salty.

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      Blond Logicposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have never tried it on watermelon. Apples and starfruit I have. I wonder where this idea came from. Thanks for sharing your (or your dad's ) experience.

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      RTalloniposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes watermelon needs a little salt……and I just learned that in Mexico a seasoning mix that includes chili pepper and lime juice is used on it.  I was veeeerrry leary, but whoa, it's quite good.  Salt on apples might be good...

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3. 78

   chuckandus6posted 9 years ago

   I dont think it makes it sweeter I have tried it.

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      Blond Logicposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have just started doing it again and seem to enjoy tart fruits more. I live in the tropics though, perhaps my body just wants more salt.

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4. 82

   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   I don't get it. My in law always sprinkle salt in star fruits and apples which are sour. Turns out the fruits became even sour or sourer?

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That surprises me, I thought it would increase the sweetness somehow.

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5. 89

   IslandBitesposted 9 years ago

   Yeah, salt enhances sweetness. It also decreases bitterness. It has to do with chemical reactions and taste buds.

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I thought perhaps we were playing a trick on our bodies by convincing our taste buds it is sweeter than it really is.

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6. 84

   Venkatachari Mposted 9 years ago

   I don't think it makes them sweeter. We use salt only to make them more tasty but not sweeter. Pure sweetness is not liked by many. So, we combine it with salt to enrich the taste.
   I think, our taste buds really like themselves being deceived by assuming it as more sweeter than before due to the salt particles coming in their way. That can be the only reason for feeling so.

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Ah so it is more a flavor enhancer than a sweetner. Thanks for your answer.

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   Rochelle Frankposted 8 years ago

   Adding things like salt, spices and citrus stimulate the taste buds-- enhancing the flavor of other foods.

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, so we aren't changing the fruit, we are changing the way we taste it. Thanks for that.

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