Kosher Sea Salt Vs. Table Salt

There’s a good reason why kosher sea salt is always sold in its premium grade form as a table salt. Yes, that’s right. Seawater, whether natural or artificially generated, has no place on a table or in your pantry. No, not too much sea salt isn’t good either. Seawater and table salt both belong in the garbage pile where it belongs, labeled as both a hazard to your health and a placebo for those who sell it.

Now that we’re clear on the matter of table salt and sea salt, let’s talk about how they are used. Most people think that kosher table salt comes from seawater… and it does. But most table salt you’ll find at the supermarket is manufactured from “unrefined” rock salt. Rock salt (also known as gluconate) is a combination of minerals found in the earth’s core. For some reason, it’s also known as “bleached” rock salt, which is why it’s great for making sea and table salt.

The problem is that kosher salt contains many artificial ingredients, such as synthetic vitamins and minerals, various kinds of fertilizers, and even preservatives. Artificial flavorings and coloring have been banned since nineteen eighties in the European Union. But manufacturers of sea salt, as well as numerous manufacturers of table salt, have managed to defy all of those regulations. Why?

As you probably know, sea salt has a coarse texture and therefore can’t be used on everything. Even though kosher sea salt and table salt have similar chemical compositions, they still have slightly different flavors. One has to experiment a bit more to get the exact flavor. Fortunately, it’s not that difficult to discern between the different types of kosher sea salts. Here’s what you need to look for. Listed below are some examples of kosher sea salts and their defining attributes.

Truffle – A light-colored, grayish brown rock salt with an intense, sea-like flavor is the best kosher salt to use for breads, pretzels, chips, rice, doughnuts, cheese and other salty snacks. The reason this one works so well is that it has a very coarse texture, so it doesn’t dissolve too much during cooking, unlike most table salt. In addition, black truffle salt is good for curing certain foods such as goosefat and beef fat, while white truffle salt works better for fish and poultry. Most cooks agree that kosher sea salt has a salty, smoky flavor. The black truffle salt also helps to preserve food that’s been cooked on the grill or under the oven, thus preserving the flavor.

Sardonyx – Another form of sea salt, the sardonyx kosher sea salt has a very soft and subtle flavor. It is often used to season meat and poultry, while maintaining a healthy balance in its flavor profile. This salt has a subtlety-like flavor, which makes it ideal for baking and cooking. In fact, it’s so popular that it’s now available in a wide range of natural and artificial flavors, from a simple lemon taste to a complex, sweet caramel flavor. The sardonyx variety is also better known as rock salt because of its ability to absorb and retain moisture, which makes it ideal for preserving foods like smoked salmon and cured meats.

Alfalfa – As the name suggests, the Alfalfa variety is made from red and black grains that are used to add a unique flavor to foods. Common varieties include flavored beans and red cabbage, but there are also a number of artificial forms on the market today. Alfalfa saltiness comes from the plant’s bran oil component, which makes it slightly less salty than kosher table salt. In addition, some varieties have a pungent scent that some find unpleasant, although most people find that the fragrance is more bearable than the flavor. Because of its pungent flavor, a lot of chefs who use it on their recipes don’t prefer to add any additional saltiness to the dish.

There you have it: three of the most important kosher table salt facts you should know when comparing kosher table salt vs. sea salt. The truth is, you really don’t need to be a scientist to figure out which type of salt works best for your dietary needs. All you need to do is understand the basics of salt, how it affects your body, what its major ingredients are, and what type of health benefits you can expect from each brand. Start shopping around right now, and you’ll soon be on your way to better eating.