北朝时期盐业生产与消费探微

On Salt Production and Consumption in the Northern Dynasties

北朝时期的盐业生产方式具有多样性。沿海地区传承灶火煮盐法,河东一带则以自然漫生法与人工种晒法相结合,在此基础上,还采用新式制盐法对食盐进行深加工,如常满盐、花盐和印盐。同周边国家和地区互通有无的过程中,北朝凭借其优越的地理位置,成为连接西域、南亚和南朝盐业的重要纽带。北朝时期盐除作为调味品外,还被广泛应用于食品腌制和储藏、农业生产、社会医疗等领域。

The production methods of salt were diversified in the Northern Dynasties. Coastal areas inherited kitchen stove technique while Hedong(the east of the Yellow River) combined natural growth method with artificial insolation. Based on this, new production methods were adopted to further process those salts like Changman salt, Hua salt and Yin salt.During the process of mutual exchange of needed products with neighboring countries and regions, the Northern Dynasties took advantage of its geographic predominance and became the link connecting the salt industry of the Western Regions,South Asia and the Southern Dynasties. Salt was extensively used in aspects of food pickling and storage, agricultural production, social medical treatment and other fields in addition to being used as seasoning during the Northern Dynasties.