When it comes to the kitchen, there is no other ingredient that can be more important than salt. Salt is one of the very basic of the five tastes. This is the reason why it is all the more important that you know what are the different types of salt and distinguish between them.
Our food is full of different flavors that are highlighted with the use of salt. It is also used to preserve food, in healthcare and industry and much more. It may be surprising for you to know that there are many different types of salt.
Here is a guide to different types of salts that will help you learn what salt is best for your needs.
- Table Salt
This is a finely ground salt that is crystal and square-shaped. Also known as common salt, it is vacuum evaporated and has a clean taste. It is best for cooking and baking.
- Kosher Salt
Due to raking during evaporation, this salt is larger in shape and coarser and flakier than table salt. The kosher salt takes longer to dissolve and has a clean flavor.
- Sea Salt
Extracted by evaporation of salt water, the sea salt is unrefined, coarse, irregularly shaped and varies in color.
- Himalayan Pink Salt
The Himalayan Pink salt is one of the purest forms of salt that is extracted from the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan. It is very large and irregular in shape and also features a distinct salmon-colored hue.
- Celtic Sea Salt
Harvested from French tidal pools, the Celtic Sea salt is also known as grey salt or in French, sea gris. It is raw crystals that is full of minerals like magnesium and calcium.
- Fleur De Sel
It is also harvested from the tidal pools in France, but from the far northeast, in Brittany. It is paper-thin and delicate in texture.
- Flake Sea Salt
Though low in mineral content, the Flake sea salt is beautiful in appearance. It is hand harvested and irregularly shaped.
- Black and Red Hawaiian Salt
These are volcanic salts that have mystical properties. Harvested from the Pacific islands, these are pink and black in color.
Here are 5 examples of these salts that you can choose from.
- Le Guerandais Coarse Sea Salt Gros Sel De Guerande, 2.2 Pound
- Sherpa Pink Gourmet Himalayan Salt, 5 lbs Fine Grain. Incredible Taste. Rich in Nutrients and Minerals To Improve Your Health
- French Grey Sea Salt 2 lb. Bag Fine Grain, Sel Gris pure & natural sea salt from France
- Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, 8.5 Ounce Box
- Sal de Ibiza Coarse Sea Salt