In the pantheon of snack foods, “salty and crunchy” stands on the highest pedestal of cravings. “Salty snacks are supremely satisfying to all consumers,” says Elisa Maloberti, director at the American Egg Board. Everyone has a favorite salty pleasure, whether it’s buttery, hot, freshly popped popcorn, the shatteringly crispy crunch of thick kettle-style potato chips, or cheesy cauliflower protein puffs.
Salty snacks deliver because humans, like most mammals, need — and thus crave — salt. Sodium chloride is important to maintain electrolyte balance in our bodies. Both sodium and chloride are critical for optimum nerve and muscle function, including heart rhythm. At the same time, salt is a flavor enhancer that makes foods even more craveable. It also is an essential carrier of other flavors.