What is kosher salt? how is it different from regular salt?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Kosher salt usually has no additives, and it has big crystals with large surface areas. This size and shape allows it to absorb more moisture than other forms of salt, and this makes kosher salt excellent for curing meats. That is essentially where the name comes from. The salt itself is not kosher, meaning it doesn't conform to Jewish food laws, but this salt is used to make meat kosher. The Jewish holy book, the Torah, prohibits consumption of any blood, which is why kosher meat must be slaughtered and prepared in a specific manner. A common way of removing the final traces of blood from meat is to soak and salt it.

That's not the only use for kosher salt, however. The flavor is distinct from ordinary table salt, and some cooks prefer to use it in all their cooking. Like other coarse salts, kosher salt can be used in recipes that call for a salt crust. You can even use it to salt the edge of a margarita glass.

Nutritionally speaking, kosher salt is no different than table salt, although it does not provide iodine. The human body needs salt to regulate the electrolyte balance inside and outside of its cells. But studies have shown that diets low in salt lower a person's blood pressure. As with many health issues, scientists and doctors don't universally agree on the health benefits and problems related to salt intake.

Kosher salt has no added iodine. This is because iodine is derived from things like shrimp shells, and jewish people can't eat that and still be kosher.

the only drawback is that people need iodine in their diets, which is why salt is fortified with it. That way its easy to intake because its on all your food already. Like the salt with the girl carrying the umbrella is iodised salt that most people use on their food. I can't think of the name right now... yeesh lol

it's also bigger than regular table salt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosher_salt

just to correct something in the other two answers. kosher salt IS kosher. it is called "kosher salt" because it is used in the process of preparing kosher meat, to draw out the blood. people who keep kosher may eat foods that contain any kind of salt, including table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt.