The debate over table salt versus salt has been rekindled after reports that sea salt contains “salt”. However, what is really the difference? And how does it actually affect us? Here are some things to consider…
Because of the molecular structure of salt, chemically, there is no difference between sea salt or table salt. First and foremost, it matters less to know your salt. The pros agree that sea salt is the best as a main ingredient for enhancing culinary flavors and adding texture, however it has fewer trace amounts of other minerals compared to table salt. For example, table salt has up to 95% sodium chloride, whereas sea salt only has up to 40%.
Another difference is in the concentration of other minerals in the two. Ocean sea salt contains more magnesium and potassium, while table salt has less. Trace amounts of other important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron are present in both types. One of the best all-natural sources of these trace minerals is sea salt. As sea salt was used by many ancient civilizations for food preparation, it contains a large amount of sodium chloride, which is beneficial for our body’s health.
Salt can be used as an important part of a recipe as long as it contains a natural source of minerals such as sea salt or table salt. It is best to use natural ingredients as they will not have any negative effects on our health. As with anything, moderation is the key. You must keep in mind that too much salt intake can lead to the build up of sodium in our body, which can cause many different medical conditions.
There are many types of salt available today, and each has its own characteristics. Irrespective of the type of salt you use, you must make sure that it is extracted from the rocks using the right method. All natural sea salt and table salt have their own distinctive characteristic, which you can learn more about by studying a salt guide. All natural sea salt contains trace amounts of sodium, magnesium, and potassium; while kosher salt differs because it is obtained by washing kosher salt deposits in water. So, is there really a difference?
The concentration of minerals in sea salts is very high compared to that of table salt. However, this is also the reason why sea salts are more expensive than table salt. The high cost of this salt type is mainly due to the methods used to extract it. Although the concentration of minerals is high, many companies prefer to purchase them from mines in far away places, which results in a cheaper price.
Kosher sea salt and table salt differ when it comes to sodium content. Both contain approximately the same percentage of sodium, which is important for our bodies. However, sodium is found to be much higher in kosher salt than in table salt. The concentration of sodium content is higher in kosher salt because it is taken from sea salt, which contains significantly more sodium. The concentration of sodium content can also vary according to the method of extraction, which leads to a range of sodium concentration.
Irrespective of the type of salt you purchase, the mineral content and the price will depend on the type of salt as well as on the thickness of the grain. The bigger the grain size, the more expensive the salt will be. Thicker grains tend to be heavier and result in thicker salt, which is better for your health as well as the environment.
