What exactly is Rock Salt, and is it safe to eat?!
What exactly is Rock Salt, and is it safe to eat?
Okay, I know that rock salt is usually used for melting ice and snow, and used in home ice cream makers. But what makes rock salt different from table salt (other than size and shape)? Is it safe to eat? I certainly don't see any warning labels on the box indicating that it is dangerous, but I find it interesting that I've never heard of it being used in some recipe before. After all, many recipes call for sea salt, or other alternatives to table salt, why not rock salt?
Answers:
Brittany will flunk her tests.
Rock salt is basically sodium chloride the same as sea salt, but the former is obtained as a mineral. Before industry, salt was mainly obtained in salt mines, where it accumulated once oceans retreated. Table salt is either sea salt or rock salt grounded and iodined (so it's the only one with chemicals added).
You can say their flavor varies depending on the presence of minerals other than sodium chloride.