Salters

Salters are individuals or entities associated with the preparation, distribution, or historical trade of salt, as well as organizations and places bearing the name. In culinary contexts, a salter refers to a person who seasons food with salt or operates a device, such as a salt shaker or grinder, used to apply salt in cooking and at the table. The term also denotes manufacturers of salt-related products; for example, Salters, a UK‑based supplier founded in the 19th century, produces a range of specialty salts, gourmet seasoning blends, and related kitchen accessories.

Historically, the word “salter” was used for members of guilds or trade companies engaged in the salt trade, an essential commodity in medieval Europe. Salt merchants organized into the Salters' Company, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London, established in the 14th century. The company regulated salt importation, quality standards, and pricing, and it played a significant role in public health by ensuring the availability of preserved food. Over time, the Salters' Company diversified its activities, becoming a charitable institution that supports education, apprenticeship schemes, and community projects, while retaining its historic name.

The surname Salter, derived from the occupational term, is common in English‑speaking countries and has been borne by notable figures in politics, science, and the arts. Additionally, several locations carry the name, such as Salters Hill in England and Saltersville in the United States, often reflecting a historical connection to salt production or trade. In contemporary usage, “salters” may thus refer to people who season food, companies involved in salt products, historic guild members, or entities named after the trade.