Sea salt has become quite popular over the last couple of years as a healthier substitute for regular table salt.
The differences between the two is not that much because both contain high amounts of sodium and chloride.
However, even though the differences are small, they are enough for many to make the switch.
So what are the differences? Mineral Content Sea salt is obtained naturally through the evaporation of sea waters, and thus the salt contains many minerals that are essential for the human body.
Some of these minerals include iodine, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and many more.
Depending on the brand, the salt can contain all the essential minerals that your body needs.
Table salt on the other hand is obtained from sea waters or from underground salt mines, and it is heavily processed and stripped of all natural trace minerals.
Added Ingredients Table salt contains added ingredients such as potassium iodide, which your body turns into iodine.
Another ingredient that is added is an anti-clumping agent to help keep it free running.
This is an aluminum based agent that makes the salt bitter.
The bitterness is then neutralized with a form of sugar such as glucose.
Unrefined sea salt is obtained naturally, and does not go through any processing stages.
Thus all the minerals are in their natural state as nature created them.
However, always check your labels, as there are some refined that have gone through a process where potassium iodide is added along with anti-clumping agents and glucose.
Dryness Because table salt contains an anti-clumping agent it remains dry and free running in your shaker.
Some sea salt appears to be free running as well, and usually work well in a salt shaker, even though they have no anti-clumping agents.
They may clump up from time to time, but nothing that a light tap will not loosen.
But others are moist when you purchase them, and thus they will not work in the shaker.
Coarseness Most table salts come in a very fine grain, but sea salt can be purchased in a variety of different sized grains.
Sea salt that is used in cooking and other foods is usually available in finer grains, but those designed for bathing are available in larger grains.
Color Table salt is only available in a pure white color, but sea salt can be obtained in a variety of different colors, depending on where it was harvested.
Some sea salts are a pinkish color, while others resemble a sandy color, and still others come in different shades of gray.
However, sea salt is also available in white, but this is usually salt that has been refined and stripped of many of its minerals.
The richer the color of the salt, the more minerals it contains.
The Taste The taste of sea salt is a cleaner and sweeter taste than table salt.
It is not as salty per quantity, as it contains more minerals and less sodium.
Thus it may be necessary to add a bit more salt to help bring out the same great salty flavors.
The differences between the two is not that much because both contain high amounts of sodium and chloride.
However, even though the differences are small, they are enough for many to make the switch.
So what are the differences? Mineral Content Sea salt is obtained naturally through the evaporation of sea waters, and thus the salt contains many minerals that are essential for the human body.
Some of these minerals include iodine, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and many more.
Depending on the brand, the salt can contain all the essential minerals that your body needs.
Table salt on the other hand is obtained from sea waters or from underground salt mines, and it is heavily processed and stripped of all natural trace minerals.
Added Ingredients Table salt contains added ingredients such as potassium iodide, which your body turns into iodine.
Another ingredient that is added is an anti-clumping agent to help keep it free running.
This is an aluminum based agent that makes the salt bitter.
The bitterness is then neutralized with a form of sugar such as glucose.
Unrefined sea salt is obtained naturally, and does not go through any processing stages.
Thus all the minerals are in their natural state as nature created them.
However, always check your labels, as there are some refined that have gone through a process where potassium iodide is added along with anti-clumping agents and glucose.
Dryness Because table salt contains an anti-clumping agent it remains dry and free running in your shaker.
Some sea salt appears to be free running as well, and usually work well in a salt shaker, even though they have no anti-clumping agents.
They may clump up from time to time, but nothing that a light tap will not loosen.
But others are moist when you purchase them, and thus they will not work in the shaker.
Coarseness Most table salts come in a very fine grain, but sea salt can be purchased in a variety of different sized grains.
Sea salt that is used in cooking and other foods is usually available in finer grains, but those designed for bathing are available in larger grains.
Color Table salt is only available in a pure white color, but sea salt can be obtained in a variety of different colors, depending on where it was harvested.
Some sea salts are a pinkish color, while others resemble a sandy color, and still others come in different shades of gray.
However, sea salt is also available in white, but this is usually salt that has been refined and stripped of many of its minerals.
The richer the color of the salt, the more minerals it contains.
The Taste The taste of sea salt is a cleaner and sweeter taste than table salt.
It is not as salty per quantity, as it contains more minerals and less sodium.
Thus it may be necessary to add a bit more salt to help bring out the same great salty flavors.
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