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Multiple realities
(covers information from several alternate timelines)
Salt and pepper

Salt and pepper shakers

A salt is any chemical compound composed of two ions that is not considered an acid or base. The word salt is also commonly used to refer to table salt.

Table salt, known chemically as sodium chloride (NaCl), is an essential chemical compound, vital for Earthly life. It is responsible for the salinity of bodily fluids, and is important for the balance of electrolytes. It is also the most common seasoning in the galaxy. (VOY: "Prototype") Salt was commonly dispensed in shakers.

Salt shaker in Shipyard Bar

Kirk toys with a broken Kelvin-type salt shaker, pouring salt through its "s" holes

Salt shakers in the shape of the USS Kelvin were, in 2255 of the alternate reality, featured at the Shipyard Bar in Iowa, on Earth. To use the salt stored inside, the salt was poured through holes in the container that formed an "s" shape on one side of the shaker, a forward area on the bottom of the model starship's saucer section. Shortly following a conversation between James T. Kirk and Christopher Pike during the bar's after-hours, Kirk absentmindedly toyed with one of the Kelvin-type salt shakers, releasing salt from it. The salt shaker he fiddled with apparently had a missing component on its topside, where a screw jutted out of the miniature. (Star Trek)

The salt inside this salt shaker was actually put there by Director and Producer J.J. Abrams. (audio commentary, Star Trek Special Edition/Three-disc Blu-ray)

In 2266, the USS Enterprise visited M-113 for routine medical examinations of the scientists working there. Ultimately, one of the scientists was revealed to be a species native to that arid world, a creature that required large quantities of salt to survive. This creature could draw the body salts from other beings to sustain itself, a process that was fatal to its victims. (TOS: "The Man Trap")

Salt was a popular addition to food and was used by Humans, Bolians, and other species. Starfleet ration packs carried salt. (DS9: "Nor the Battle to the Strong", "Waltz")

Salt was one of the words Miles O'Brien used due to his infection of the aphasia virus. (DS9: "Babel")

In 2369, Commander Benjamin Sisko and Ilon Tandro compared the Trill and their symbionts to salt added to water. (DS9: "Dax")

In 2374, B'Elanna Torres said that with a little sodium chloride, the Silver Blood would probably taste a lot like Neelix's soup. (VOY: "Demon")

In 2377, when Seven of Nine served a meal that included luhvian quail as a main course, Tom Paris asked if there was any salt, but Seven insisted that "Additional seasoning is not required." (VOY: "The Void")

See also

In an ultimately unused line of dialogue from the final draft script of TOS: "The Man Trap", salt was said to be present in the "tears, blood, [and] sweat" of a typical Human and its existence there was explained as leftovers from Humanity's evolution from "the ocean."
Two salt and pepper shakers, seen in the mess hall of the USS Voyager were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. [1]

External links

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