# How DARE you salt that watermelon! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 27, 2000, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034 "2000-07-27T11:55:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![chuk99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@chuk99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chuk99)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/81 "2000-08-09T11:51:35Z")
To PARTICLEWILL and others who like sweets in chili. Skyline chili uses chocolate in their recipe and that is common in Chili in that part of the country (Cincinnati, OH–possibly a German immigrant influence?). Cinnamon in chilia has a long tradition, since it is a hot, yet mellow, spice. People often associate it with sweetness because in most concoctions (cinnamon toast, cinnamon buns, cinnamon in coffee), it is combined with sugar. When used with other hot spices, cinnamon enhances the spiciness and helps separate the flavors. Try it sometime. ---
**Author:** ![Tiranee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@Tiranee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tiranee)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/82 "2000-08-09T13:13:27Z")
I am also a salter. Watermelons without salt is unedible to me. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/83 "2000-08-09T13:23:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cygnus \* > \*\*I am a huge user of salt, and freely admit that I salt without tasting. Because I like things with SOOO much salt, there’s never any question as to whether or not the food in question needs salt - it’s just a question of how much. Salt first, then taste, then add the appropriate additional quantity. That said, I do not salt watermelon, because I don’t like watermelon. However, all of the older members of my family, and some of the younger ones as well, certainly do, and always have. So did members of the extended family at reunions and such over the years. I concur with whoever mentioned that it might be more of a rural thing, as that is the context in which I have most commonly seen it. I have tried watermelon with lime juice (offered to me by a Mexican waitress in a Mexican restaurant - she was having a snack), and it was good, for watermelon. Less bland than usual. > > **The Man Who** , back when I was a young’un I did crumble huge quantities of crackers into my soup, and of course they didn’t stay crisp, that was the point. Tomato soup in particular turned into a wonderful orange-red mush. Now I drop a maximum of two small pieces in at a time, but I still have fond recollections of tomato soup full of crushed Club crackers. > > Heaven knows I have my share of food quirks (I hate for different foods to touch each other, and will spend as long as it takes to pick tiny bits of anything I don’t care for, like onions, out of something served to me), but as for salt, the ones that seem to disturb people the most are when I salt chocolate candy, cookies of almost any kind, and tortilla chips. (The Man Who, I also add extra salt to my saltines, the polar opposite of you. Seeing those “unsalted” saltines in the grocery makes me shudder, but perhaps you should try them.) I carry a small salt shaker in my purse, because I got tired of having to ask for one everywhere I went, and of periodically finding myself with something promising to eat but no salt available, which took all the enjoyment out of it. Besides, it allows me to have a salt shaker at my plate full time in a restaurant - necessary since I usually salt things by the bite, even if I’ve done a general salting first - without having to keep the regular shaker from others, or wait for them to finish using it and return it so I can go to the next bite. Nothing says weird eaters can’t be courteous. \*\* How’s your blood pressure? \ ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/84 "2000-08-09T13:30:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Man Who \* > \*\* > \ > > Of course, the The Rev Who thinks I’m the gross one, but why are they called _porn_and beans then if you’re not supposed to pour them over pork chops? (I do pick out the Official-Van-Camps-Lump-o-Fat-Trade-Mark-Patent-Pending. Yucky.) > > Cordially, > > Myron M. Meyer > The Man Who > > \*\* I don’t think porn and beans go together very well! LOL! Unless you’re into something I don’t want to know about. 😉 You are removing the “pork” from the beans when you take out the “lump o’fat”. But eating “pork” and beans even on top of pork chops doesn’t sound so bad… ---
**Author:** ![Parallax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Parallax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parallax)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/85 "2000-08-09T13:43:49Z")
Wow - popcorn and M&Ms - I thought my wife was the only one who did that, but it seems there are others. =) I, too was horrified to see her dump and entire bag of M&Ms (plain) into a full bag of popcorn! I’ve tried it and it just doesn’t appeal to me - when she wants to do that now we get two little bags. =) ---
**Author:** ![Tanzarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f1d935/32.png) [@Tanzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanzarian)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/86 "2000-08-09T14:38:02Z")
Most people have heard of this one: Junior Mints and movie Popcorn… I was dubious at first, but now they are a medley of minty, salty goodness… PS - mmmmmm… porn and beans… ---
**Author:** ![Blythe\_Spirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@Blythe\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blythe_Spirit)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/87 "2000-08-09T15:02:20Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Diver \* \*\*Of course I salt watermelon. I also add salt and pepper to cantaloupe… I love salted watermelon, and I thought my family was the only one that put salt and pepper on cantalope. The pepper really brings out the flavor. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/88 "2000-08-09T15:06:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lee \* > **cygnus, have you ever salted the plate before putting food on it so that your food gets salt on the underside without having to flip it?** I’m not Cygnus, but I salt and pepper the frying pan before I break my eggs into it. I have also tried the Goobers (chocolate covered peanuts) and popcorn combo. It’s not bad, it’s just not good either. And all the Goobers wind up at the bottom anyway. Haven’t heard much about peanuts and Coke lately, but I’ve known people who did it. Also, regarding putting crackers in chili, I prefer to eat chili like it’s a dip, dipping crackers into it and eating them. I also heard this weird rumor that chili isn’t supposed to have beans in it … ? ---
**Author:** ![cygnus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@cygnus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cygnus)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/89 "2000-08-09T15:20:22Z")
**lee** , I have never tried salting the plate first, but now that you mention it, it might be a sound alternative to the tedious though willingly-endured task of salting each bite individually. Must try this… And I, too, have skipped meals for lack of salt. If there’s no pleasure in the food, why bother? Better to wait for later when you can have something with salt and actually enjoy it. **Notluf** - My area has bottled Coke available periodically too, in the little bottles (8 oz?). It is, as you say, ridiculously overpriced, about $4 for a six pack. I buy it once a year, for the big family-reunion-type bash that we normally host over the 4th of July holiday. The first year I provided them, people were beside themselves with surprise and delight, and even the beer drinkers found room for a little bottle of Coke. Since then I have made it a point to include a few six packs of it each year, justifying the outrageous expense under the “special occasion” rule (besides, it seems modest compared to the beer and rib expense). Only once a year - but the experience is a pleasant one. I sure miss pop in bottles - it really was/is better than pop in plastic - perhaps because of the innate permeability of plastic? And I guess that deposit system just made too much sense when we could just THROW IT AWAY instead. **Delores Claiborne** , I am mildly embarassed to say that my blood pressure is absolutely normal and occasionally on the low side. Last time I donated blood my reading was 110/70. Clearly a result of good genetics, since I obviously do nothing to encourage these good readings. By the way, how’s your husband? {shudder} \ Oh, and I forgot to say that my mom also puts sugar in her chili, and so do I, although most of the rest of the family does not. Not a lot, just a spoonful, although when I’m making a whole batch I use honey instead. Mmmm. Think I’ll have some Cincinnati chili for lunch today - I have a package in the freezer. ---
**Author:** ![Parallax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Parallax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parallax)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/90 "2000-08-09T15:26:08Z")
Tanzarian - “porn and beans” - is that a typo or a Fruedian slip? =) ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/91 "2000-08-09T17:05:34Z")
I’ll just contribute to the thread by saying that pretzels and M&Ms is one of my favorite snacks. 2 M&Ms, a bite of one of those thin salty pretzels and I’m in sweet and salty heavan. ---
**Author:** ![Speedbump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Speedbump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speedbump)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/92 "2000-08-09T17:06:40Z")
\> I put salt on watermelon, and on apple slices. Always have. Always will. I’ve always put mustard on my apples. Extra good with cheddar. ---
**Author:** ![Tripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f6c823/32.png) [@Tripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripper)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/93 "2000-08-09T18:08:26Z")
Ah, yes. Spending many a summer afternoon in my great-grandmother’s backyard eating watermelon and that little knobby salt shaker in reach. Takes ya back. I hated eggs until she had me try them with mustard. Now I switch between mustard and Tabasco. More sophisticated palate now, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Biker\_Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Biker\_Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biker_Tim)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/94 "2000-08-09T18:39:53Z")
NO, NO, NO, NO! Watermelon good. Salt bad. You saltoholics (like my wife) are ruining this country. Let me 'splain. Too much salt = hypertension = more doctor visits = more prescriptions & medical costs = higher insurance costs for everyone. How can we possibly succeed as a nation if you keep salting every damn thing you find? As a deeply concerned American, I implore you do look deeply into your hearts and stop what you know is wrong. For those of you with NaCL freaks in your family, try what I did to my wife… If it doesn’t have at least 1/4 inch layer of salt on it, she won’t eat it. So, I went to our local feed store (they have those in the country) & paid $8 for a 50lb salt lick. Wrapped it in larger & larger boxes & put it under the Xmas tree. She was giddy for weeks thinking she was getting a new T.V. or something. Xmas morn, with the whole family around, that’s the first present she tore into. Man, was whe pissed! I told her she could keep it on the table, & just scrape off what she needed… Myrr21 was right. You’re baaaaaaad. Now stop it. BT ---
**Author:** ![Bolo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bolo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/95 "2000-08-09T19:20:33Z")
Like Biker Tim (welcome) I bought a salt lick for a lady who salted **EVERYTHING**. She, however thought it was a wonderful gift and kept it on her desk. She regularly licked it. I miss her. ---
**Author:** ![Bolo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bolo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/96 "2000-08-09T19:24:21Z")
And I think I’ll go home and try out **porn and beans** just to see what I’m missing. ---
**Author:** ![LanzaMarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/839c29/32.png) [@LanzaMarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LanzaMarie)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/97 "2000-08-09T20:04:56Z")
I’ve seen folks salt their watermelon and never thought much about it. However, some of the German folks in the Texas Hill Country put sugar and a little bit of salt on their popcorn. I saw this at a country peddler fair and was amazed. The grossest combination I’ve ever seen: An old man putting pepper and pancake syrup on his cottage cheese!! That nearly triggered the gag reflex!! ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/98 "2000-08-09T20:38:43Z")
Salt does not cause hypertension. People who have a calcium channel related heart condition causing health problems or other electrolyte imbalances should carefully monitor their salt intake. Salt is not specifically bad for anyone else. However, putting it on watermelon is . . . well, disgusting. Let’s not even mention those catsup on hot dog folks. I do put ginger in my chili recipe though. But then I make Chicken Chili, and Pork Chop chili, too. Mmmmmmm. Beans are a side dish. Tris ---
**Author:** ![Phil\_Saoud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/779978/32.png) [@Phil\_Saoud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phil_Saoud)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/99 "2000-08-09T22:08:19Z")
A slight clarification here. “Lightly salted” is correct. Not enough to make the watermelon taste salty, just enough to sweeten it. I’m sure some budding chemist will correct me but the salt neutralizes the acid (?) in the watermelon. A Hawaiian friend of mine told me that this works with pineapples too. Oh yeah… and on the rare ocassions that I drink American beer, I salt that too. ---
**Author:** ![deepstblu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@deepstblu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deepstblu)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2000, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/100 "2000-08-10T02:01:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > **But watermelon is supposed to be _sweet_, not salty! Would you put sugar on french-fries?** Doesn’t McDonald’s use a sugar-based coating on theirs to give them that “golden” look? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034.md?page=6)