Salt comes from two places – the sea and the earth. Salt mineral deposits may be found in water
under ground a/k/a brine, or in rock formation which is mined – they are the
source for every day table salt. The brine salt gets pumped to the surface and
solar evaporated until it crystallizes. Typically table salt is heavily
processed for purifying purposes and has synthetic additives to prevent
clumping. In addition, most table salt has iodine added which is an essential
nutrient that does not occur naturally yet is essential for the balance of the
human body cells. Iodine helps to prevent metabolic imbalance.
(saltwater evaporating under sun)
Which salt scores
high
Table salt and sea salt have pretty much the same amount of
sodium chloride by volume. Sea salt tends to have many more nutrients than
ordinary table salt and can be used more sparingly because of its high
salinity. Sea salt is more expensive to harvest hence the heftier price tag.
Types of salt
Kosher salt is one of the most utilized because its coarse
texture enables it to sprinkle nicely onto food. In my opinion Kosher salt is a
good everyday salt without any additives and I use it for meat and poultry. For
seafood I prefer sea salt, which underlines the oceanic natural flavor.
(lavender salt, red beet salt, rosemary salt, fennel salt, basil salt)
So many salts to
choose from …
There are many different salts available especially in
gourmet stores – it blows my mind how expensive certain salts are, but granted
the selection of salt is a critical decision in making a dish shine.
Celtic salt is
often used as a finishing salt – meaning to sprinkle a pinch over fine dishes
such as foie gras or preparations of delicate raw fish. This sea salt is
hand-harvested with wooden rake-like tools from ocean marshes in Brittany (Guérande).
It is grey in color and moist. Many people love it because of its uniqueness: a
combination of sunlight, heat and a particular wind from the ocean make it exquisite.
It is hand-harvested at just the right time when the “fleur de sel” which is
the uppermost crystalline layer of that salt is dry enough to be harvested –
truly unique.
Other common sea salt is simply distilled from sea water and
has fine coarse texture. It’s a less expensive version of Celtic salt. Remember,
such sea salt is nutritionally much better than mineral salt since it contains
traces of minerals.
Himalayan salt is
hand-mined salt found deep within the untouched Himalayan mountains -- it is
said to be the purest salt on earth because the sea beds were covered with
volcanic lava and hence it has been protected from pollution. Often it is pink
or black in color and truly stands out.
Other flavored salts are interesting such as smoked salt,
espresso sea salt, chipotle salt, green tea salt, red wine salt and garlic salt.
Such salts are used often for spice rubs but are not really worth their price
tag in my opinion. Certainly they make a nice gifts though.
Salt Intake
Excessive salt intake can be harmful to health for older
people and those having having high blood pressure. The recommended daily
consumption should not be over 2300 milligrams for the average adult. After the age of 50 the suggested
amount is more like 1500 milligrams per day.
Chef’s note: In case you are wondering, sour salt is often used in the pickling world, and is not a salt but mostly citric acid. It acts as a preservative in the pickle jar. It preserves the color of the pickled fruit or vegetable and does not make a cloudy brining liquid.
