Kosher sea salt and table salt both began their historical journey on the sea. Their paths crossed over centuries of drifting sand and the shifting currents of the planet’s oceans. These two forms of table salt trace their origins back to the same place, but have developed in vastly different ways. Here are some things to consider when shopping for kosher salt or sea salt. By understanding where each came from, you’ll be able to better enjoy its many uses.
There are a number of differences between kosher sea salt and table salt. For starters, kosher sea salt is coarse in nature. Grades of kosher salt are harvested, compressed and shaped into flakes that can’t be squeezed into flat sheets. Sea salt is often called dextrose, too, because it has the same dextrin content that is found in sugar.
Salt crystals start out as large crystals. As they dry and crystallize, their size and shape change. A kosher salt crystal’s molecules become coarser, and its molecules get smaller. The salt goes through what is called the evaporation process, wherein these coarser grains separate from the larger crystals and evaporate.
All kosher salt, sea salt or table salt has been used to add flavor to foods, whether it’s a traditional food or a new treat. Salt adds a unique flavor to anything it’s used in conjunction with, whether it’s sprinkling on a salad or a pizza sauce. Most people recognize kosher salt by the striped grains that line the sides of deli meat products and kosher table salt, but not all salts are made equal. Some contain too much sodium and should be relegated to using salt shakers for table salt or a teaspoon for sprinkling.
One of the most important characteristics of kosher sea salt or table salt is that it’s one of the highest quality natural substances on the planet. No other product on the planet offers what kosher flake sea salt and kosher table salt contain. Only natural, high quality substances exist, and this naturally occurring material is used to make the salt in the first place. It takes a lot of hard work and science to come up with such a high-quality product, but there’s no doubting the results. Kosher salt definitely holds its own when compared to commercially manufactured table salts and flakes.
The main reason why kosher sea salt and table salt is so healthy is because it contains trace amounts of magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc. There are also a number of important antioxidants and minerals in these natural ingredients that have been proven to promote better overall health. That’s why many chefs highly recommend the use of kosher salt and why it’s considered the best kosher salt on the market.
But the best kosher sea salt and table salt products aren’t produced by any type of government mandate or regulation. No mandatory minimum levels of salt or table salt have ever been set, and the only government-recommended quantities are already set in place. That means that you can safely eat as much kosher sea salt and table salt you want without worrying about damaging your teeth or having an ear ache. All that’s needed is to know which kosher sea salt and table salt will work best for your eating style and lifestyle.
Perhaps the biggest drawback of kosher sea salt and table salt, however, is the price. These bulk products can cost up to 50% more than traditional retail table salt. For that reason, many people choose to buy the smaller, less expensive kosher alternatives until they get a handle on the habit of paying more for less. In the meantime, these cheaper salt brands still taste great and contribute to better health.