Salt Glossary
Hygroscopic
Able to pull moisture from the air.
Salt is mildly hygroscopic, which is why it clumps in humid weather and why some people add a few grains of rice to the shaker.
Related terms
Cite this page
For school projects and reports. Teachers often prefer the original sources too: see the list below.
The Salt Almanac. (2026, November 8). Hygroscopic. https://saltalmanac.com/glossary/hygroscopic
“Hygroscopic | Salt Glossary.” The Salt Almanac, 8 Nov. 2026, saltalmanac.com/glossary/hygroscopic. Accessed [today's date].
“Hygroscopic | Salt Glossary.” The Salt Almanac. Last modified November 8, 2026. https://saltalmanac.com/glossary/hygroscopic.
Original sources
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Salt labelling requirements. https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/industry/salt
- WorldAtlas. Where is the world's largest underground salt mine? https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-is-the-world-s-largest-underground-salt-mine.html
- U.S. Geological Survey. Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Salt. https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-salt.pdf