Salt is an important part of cooking in almost every part of the world since ancient times. It is basically a mineral which is mainly composed of sodium chloride. Most of the people are generally aware of one or two types of salt that are easily available in the market. But actually there are many different kinds of salt present on earth that have the same chemical composition but vary on the basis of structure, color, mineral content, source, origin, and benefits.
For a long time, salt had limited uses but with the passage of time, it became versatile in its usage due to the awareness. Every salt has its own characteristics and benefits. We will discuss some unknown facts about different kinds of salt in this article so that you can make the right choice about salt.
Table Salt:
This highly refined form of salt is widely available at a very cheap price. It is comprised of approx. 97 to 99 % sodium chloride the rest consists of anti-caking agents and additives.
It is extracted from the seawater and then processed due to which a lot of minerals get removed from it. Sometimes, iodine is added to it externally to make up for the iodine deficiency. It contains high sodium content which is not good for health that is why it is advisable to use the table salt as low as you can.
Himalayan Salt:
This hand-mined the oldest type of salt is found in the world’s second-largest salt mines in Pakistan. It is available in its raw, unrefined and unprocessed form. It is also without any kind of additives or preservative.
It is said to contain 80+ minerals and elements in trace quantity that give it a unique light to dark pink hue. It is mined in the form of large rocks which are then turn into different shapes according to the needs.
Unlike other salts, pink salt has so many different uses. It is used in cooking for seasoning the food, as decorative salt lamps in home décor, as cooking salt blocks for grilling and baking the food, in neti pots for nasal irrigation and as bath salt for skin and body care. You can visit Ittefaq Salt to know more about this salt.
Many health benefits are associated with this form of salt. It provides essential minerals to the body, maintains blood pressure and pH level. As a bath salt, it exfoliates and cleanses the body. It also detoxifies the body and removes all toxins.
Grey Salt:
This unrefined form of sea salt is also known as Sel Gris or Celtic salt. It is usually moist due to its capacity to hold water and also because of its source of extraction that is Brittany region located on the Atlantic coast, France.
It has characteristics of both the seawater and the clay lining of the coast. The minerals from the clay get mixed to it and give it the light greyish color. It has coarse granulated texture and is attributed to many health benefits. It helps in lowering blood pressure.
Black Salt:
Sendha, kala namak or black salt is the rock salt which is mined from the same mines as of Himalayan pink salt. It is different from pink salt in color taste and mineral content. It has pinkish black-brown color due to the presence of iron in it. It has a very strong taste and pungent smell which makes it different from other salts.
It is a very popular condiment and has been used in cooking and Ayurveda mostly in South Asia region for centuries. This is all because of its enormous benefits for health. It helps in maintaining the blood flow, sugar, and cholesterol level in the body. It is also very good for the digestive system.
Fleur de Sel:
Fleur De Sel literally means the flower of salt. It is also a form of sea salt that comes from the Island of Re which is located in France.
It is expensive due to its limited production during summer which requires specific weather conditions. And it is also difficult to harvest. This rare salt is collected from the surface of the ocean when the seawater evaporates. It is handpicked due to its delicate texture.
It also has a very old history and mostly used for garnishing the exotic food.
Sea Salt:
Sea salt is almost the same as that of table salt. Both are extracted from the same source which is seawater through a process called evaporation. Their nutritional value is almost the same but sea salt is often regarded as better than table salt because it is less processed and does not contain additives.
It has a granular structure and white color. It is being used in cooking, food preservation, and skincare and hair products.
Kosher Salt:
It is also known as kitchen salt or chef salt. It is also harvested from the seawater and is mostly like sea salt except for the structure. It has large coarse crystals. Usually, it does not contain iodine in it. Lately, it has become very popular in professional cooking. It is widely used to season the food.
Alaea Salt:
This unrefined salt is also known as Hawaiian salt. It is collected from the Hawaii Island which is covered with volcanic lava. This lava gets mixed with the salt and adds minerals to it.
It has red and black color which is due to the presence of iron oxide from the lava clay. Its black color is due to the presence of activated charcoal. All these minerals add to its nutritional value. It is mostly used as a finishing or seasoning salt due to its unique color. Many health benefits are associated with it. It helps in treating constipation, heartburn, indigestion and bloating.
All these salts are unique in their own way and have different benefits and use. So, next time when you go for grocery shopping keep all the facts in your mind while choosing the salt for consumption.
