Why do people put rice in their salt shakers?

Question

I was at a restraunt today and noticed that there were little pieces in the salt shakers they have there. Is this just something that the restraunt does? Just curious.

Answer 1

Salt easily becomes moist.  The grains of rice draw the moisture to themselves instead of the salt grains.

Answer 2

so the salt doesnt stick together, i think.

Answer 3

because its stops the moisture from making it stick where it won't come out of holes

Answer 4

because like my grampa in hawaii does this because the salt gut humid and sticks together rice prevents it from doing so

Answer 5

it keeps the salt from getting moist.

Answer 6

Common in ocean/resort/lake areas, where it is humid all the time. Keeps it from clumping up.

Answer 7

so the salt doesnt get moist and stick together, the rice absorbs the moisture!

Answer 8

It absorbs any moisture in the salt......Also you can put crackers in your sugar bowl to prevent the same thing for sugar...

Answer 9

The rice absorbs moisture faster and more efficiently than the salt does.  It prevents the salt from caking up in the shaker due to high humidity.  I live in Florida and you see this pretty much everywhere (except fine dining, where they empty, clean and refill their shakers daily)  Otherwise, you would turn over your shaker, and nothing would come out...unless you feel like banging it on the side of the tabe to break it up, that is.  

Some places will only put rice in shakers that will be on outside tables.  The air conditioning usually keeps it just fine.  :)