Why salt a potato before baking it?

1. Enhances Flavor: Salt helps draw out the natural flavors of the potato, resulting in a more satisfying taste experience.

2. Improves Texture: Salting the potato before baking leads to a crispier skin and a more evenly cooked interior. The salt draws moisture out of the potato, which helps to form a crust on the surface while ensuring the inside stays tender.

3. Prevents Soggy Potatoes: Salting the potatoes before baking helps to reduce the amount of water released during cooking, preventing the potatoes from becoming soggy.

4. Promotes Even Cooking: Salt aids in the even distribution of heat throughout the potato, ensuring consistent doneness.

5. Seasoning the Inside: When salt is applied before baking, it has time to penetrate the potato, resulting in a more evenly seasoned dish.

6. Improves Maillard Reaction: Salting the potato enhances the Maillard reaction, which is a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that occurs when food is browned. This reaction contributes to the development of a golden brown color and a desirable flavor in the baked potato.

7. Flavor Control: Salting the potato before baking allows you to control the amount of salt in the final dish, ensuring it suits your taste preferences.

8. Versatile Seasoning: Salt acts as a base seasoning that pairs well with various herbs, spices, and toppings, allowing you to experiment with different flavors.

For best results, it is recommended to salt the potato liberally and let it sit for a while before baking. This allows the salt time to penetrate the potato and work its magic.