Sea Salt vs Table Salt?!
Sea Salt vs Table Salt?
What are the differences or reasons folks tend to prefer sea salt?
Is the process to obtain better for th environment? Is it better for you?? Curious mind here would love to know :)
Answers:
From a cooking perspective the main difference is texture. Table salt is very fine which makes it easy to dissolve. Sea salt and kosher salt are coarser and add a bit of crunch when seasoning last minute.
Chemically there isn't much difference unless you're buying iodized table salt (which of course has iodine added later). The way they are mined is different though.
Table salt is mined from underground salt deposits, and includes a small portion of calcium silicate, an anti-caking agent added to prevent clumping. It possesses very fine crystals and a sharp taste. Because of its fine grain a single teaspoon of table salt contains more salt than a tablespoon of kosher or sea salt.
Sea salt is harvested from evaporated seawater and receives little or no processing, leaving in tact the minerals from the water it came from. These minerals flavor and color the salt slightly. However, because these salts often come at a dear price, it is worth keeping in mind that they lose their unique flavor when cooked or dissolved.
Kosher salt takes its name from its use in the koshering process. It contains no preservatives and can be derived from either seawater or underground sources. Aside from being a great salt to keep within arm's reach when you are cooking, it is particularly useful in preserving, because its large crystals draw moisture out of meats and other foods more effectively than other salts.
Many people believe that sea salt and kosher salt is healthier because of the way they are mined, they retain most of their minerals and some of the natural moisture which help the body.
If you are going to buy sea salt or kosher salt for the health benefits make sure that the packages say unrefined. This makes the difference of how much of the natural minerals are still in the salt. Since unrefined salt has more moisture if you are going to use it in a shaker pur some uncooked rice in as well to help break up any clumps that will form. Though its a bit more sensitive to humidity it is healthier.
Refined salt is 97.5% sodium chloride and approximately 2.5% chemical additives.
Unrefined salt is 84% sodium chloride and 16% other minerals.
The link below gives a more detailed list of all the minerals in unrefined salt (sea salt).