That’s Why Southern Restaurants Sometimes Put Rice in Salt Shakers

The scientific solution to an age-old trick.

In humid Southwest Florida, no matter what time of year it is, I’m constantly fighting the clumps of salt that form in my shaker, hoping a few grains will make it through the lid. But after noticing that my favorite local diver kept a few grains of rice in his shakers, I tried the trick myself, not knowing what magic was keeping my salt free.

Southern life spoke with nutritional scientist Brian Quoc Le to reveal the secret of how rice prevents salt from sticking together, as well as some other techniques.

Meet our expert

What causes salt to clump in a humid environment?

If you’ve ever grabbed a pinch of salt with even slightly damp fingers, you know how easily salt dissolves and absorbs moisture. Without going into too much technical detail, Le explains that this is because salt is an ionic compound that “easily attracts water. The south tends to be wetter, which causes the salt to absorb most of the moisture from the air and dissolve around the edges. As the salt recrystallizes due to changes in the environment, the salt particles stick together, causing clumping.”

How does rice help prevent sticking?

Whether you’re making gumbo, risotto, or just rice, you know that grains can absorb a lot of liquid. Unlike salt, it does not dissolve. Le explained that this is because rice is a starch, which makes it able to retain water from the atmosphere preferentially rather than salt.

The Right Kind of Shaker Rice

Although brown rice is often preferred for its higher fiber content, it is not the best choice for preventing clumping. According to Dr. Le, the bran coating brown rice limits the grain’s exposure to moisture in the air. White rice is more effective because its starches are more open, allowing for maximum absorption.

Other methods to prevent salt from clumping

Don’t have rice on hand? Silica gel packs are a great alternative. They are often included with electronic equipment to protect it from moisture during transport. You can purchase multiples on your next purchase or buy them in bulk online. Just remember to keep them sealed as the gel inside is inedible.

A few dried beans or small pastas (like macaroni) are another option that can help absorb moisture and are easier to remove from the shaker than rice.