Desalting

Desalting is the removal of salt from foods, a routine step for intensely cured products such as salt cod, olives, feta-style cheeses and cured meats. Soaking in water or controlled washing leaches out the excess while keeping the characteristic flavour and texture that make these foods prized. Safety needs watching: soak water can turn into a bacterial growth medium, so refrigeration, regular water changes and time limits are standard in both home kitchens and factories. Done well, desalting makes traditional preserved foods palatable without sacrificing their identity.