CHESHIRE’S LION SALT WORKS MUSEUM OPENS ‘A BRINE ROMANCE: SALT AND FOOD’ EXHIBITION

On 20 October, Cheshire’s award-winning Lion Salt Works Museum in Northwich - one of the country’s foremost industrial heritage museums - will launch a fascinating exhibition exploring the relationship between salt and food.

‘A Brine Romance: Salt and Food’ will explore mankind’s complex relationship with salt – why it makes food taste so good and how it has been a crucial ingredient in many of our favourite foods. It will also answer questions like ‘why does tequilla taste so good with salt? and ‘why do you add a pinch of salt to pastry?’. Normal museum entry charges apply but pre-booking at the Museum is required due to Coronavirus restrictions*. The exhibition lasts until January 2021. For more information call and for further information go to www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk 

Today, salt is a readily available, moderately-priced commodity but historically it was enormously valuable commodity over which wars were fought. This exhibition offers insights and background into salt’s fascinating history and how it came to be used in the foods we eat today – from ketchup and soya sauce to corned beef and cheese. It also explores how salt was used to preserve foods; how it affects our taste buds and how and why it is used in ceremonial foods for many of the world’s religions.  

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Whether you put it on your fish and chips or use it in home-made bread, salt is critical to human health, when not eaten to excess. Cheshire is the county in Britain with the largest salt reserves, so it is appropriate that the Lion Salt Works Museum, one of the last open-pan, salt-making sites in the world, is exploring the inextricable history of salt and food. This exhibition will leave you feeling differently about the food you eat and I hope people will take time to visit this interesting exhibition.” 

The Lion Salt Works Museum tells the story of salt and its impact on the people, landscape and industry of the region. The Museum has won nine awards since opening in June 2015 after a four-year £10m restoration. This includes winning the hotly-contested National Lottery Award 'Best Heritage Project' after a public vote. 

Caption: ‘A Brine Romance: Salt and Food’ at the Lion Salt Works Museum. Photo by Andrew Charles Photography 

*Planning a Visit 

To ensure the safety of staff and visitors, the Lion Salt Works Museums has introduced revised opening times and pre-booking for all its museums. To guarantee admission, places must be booked in advance. To pre-book a visit, contact the Museum on 01606 275066. Opening times and booking procedures may change at short notice, please check this website before planning a visit.