Is meat tenderizer and season salt the same thing?

No, meat tenderizer and season salt are not the same thing. They have different purposes and ingredients.

Meat tenderizer is used to break down the tough muscle fibers in meat, making it more tender. It typically contains enzymes like papain or bromelain, which are derived from papaya and pineapple, respectively.

Season salt is a blend of salt and other seasonings, such as herbs, spices, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. It's used to add flavor to food, but it doesn't have any tenderizing properties.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

| Feature | Meat Tenderizer | Season Salt |

|-----------------|-----------------|-------------|

| Purpose | Tenderize meat | Add flavor |

| Active Ingredient | Enzymes | Salt and seasonings |

| Effect on Meat | Makes it more tender | Adds flavor |

So, while both meat tenderizer and season salt can be used to enhance the taste of meat, they have distinct roles in the cooking process.