Is tasting salt the same as Epsom salt? Unpacking the chemical differences

December 25, 2025 •

3 min read

Chemically, Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, while table salt is sodium chloride, which means these two compounds are fundamentally different and are not interchangeable. Despite both being crystalline minerals, their distinct chemical structures result in starkly contrasting flavors and uses.

Quick Summary

Explains the crucial distinctions between table salt (sodium chloride) and Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), detailing their different chemical compositions, tastes, and appropriate applications. Proper use and safety precautions are also outlined.

Key Points

Chemical Difference: Table salt is sodium chloride (NaCl), while Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate ($MgSO_4$).
Taste Difference: Table salt has a familiar salty taste, but Epsom salt tastes bitter and unpalatable.
Safety Warning: Ingesting large amounts of Epsom salt is dangerous and can lead to magnesium toxicity, especially for those with kidney issues.
Intended Uses: Table salt is for cooking and seasoning, while Epsom salt is primarily used for baths and as a laxative.
Not Interchangeable: Never use Epsom salt as a culinary substitute for table salt due to the significant health risks.
Physical Similarity: Their similar crystalline appearance is misleading and should not be used to identify them.

What is Table Salt? The Familiar Flavor Enhancer

Table salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is the most common type of salt used for culinary purposes and is an essential mineral for human health. The compound is composed of one sodium ion ($Na^+$) and one chloride ion ($Cl^-$). It is known for its distinctively salty taste, which is a result of the sodium ions activating the salt taste receptors on the tongue.

Common Uses of Table Salt:

Culinary: Used to season and enhance the flavor of food.
Preservation: Historically and currently used to cure and preserve meats, fish, and other foods by inhibiting microbial growth.
Industrial: Utilized in numerous industrial applications, including water softening and as a de-icing agent for roads.
Medicinal: Can be used to create saline solutions for medical purposes, such as wound washing and intravenous fluid therapy.

What is Epsom Salt? The Bitter Mineral Compound

Epsom salt is the common name for the mineral compound magnesium sulfate ($MgSO_4$). Its name comes from the town of Epsom in Surrey, England, where it was first discovered in a bitter saline spring. Unlike table salt, Epsom salt is a compound of magnesium and sulfate, not sodium and chloride. This chemical difference is responsible for its profoundly different and highly unpalatable bitter taste.

Common Uses of Epsom Salt:

Soaking: Most popularly used in baths to soothe sore muscles, relieve stress, and soften skin.
Gardening: Applied to plants to provide essential nutrients, magnesium and sulfur, and improve growth.
Laxative: Can be taken orally as a saline laxative to treat occasional constipation, but it is important to follow specific instructions or consult a healthcare professional.
Beauty: Used in exfoliants and facial cleansers for its exfoliating properties.

The Crucial Taste and Safety Distinction

The most important and immediate distinction between table salt and Epsom salt lies in their taste and safety when consumed. While table salt is intentionally ingested in small quantities to enhance flavor, Epsom salt has a bitter and unpleasant taste that signals it is not for culinary use. The taste is a biological warning system, as consuming too much magnesium sulfate can have dangerous side effects, particularly for those with kidney issues. Ingesting excessive amounts can lead to hypermagnesemia, causing severe diarrhea, dehydration, and potentially dangerous heart and neurological problems. Therefore, mistaking one for the other, especially in a food context, can be a serious health risk.

Why You Must Not Confuse Them

Bitter Taste: The taste is a primary indicator. Epsom salt is bitter, not salty.
Toxicity Risk: Unlike table salt, which is safe to ingest in moderate amounts, large quantities of Epsom salt can be toxic, especially for people with certain medical conditions.
Non-Interchangeable Uses: Their intended uses are completely different. Never use Epsom salt as a substitute for table salt in cooking or baking.

Comparison Table: Table Salt vs. Epsom Salt


Feature	Table Salt (Sodium Chloride)	Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate)
Chemical Formula	NaCl	$MgSO_4$
Chemical Composition	Sodium and Chloride	Magnesium and Sulfate
Taste	Salty	Bitter and unpalatable
Common Edibility	Edible in moderate amounts	Not for culinary consumption
Primary Use	Culinary seasoning and preservative	Bathing and external applications
Laxative Use	Not a laxative	Used as an oral laxative with proper guidance
Toxicity Risk	Excessive consumption linked to health issues like hypertension	Excessive oral consumption can lead to toxic magnesium levels

Conclusion: Chemical Identity Matters

In conclusion, despite their similar crystalline appearance, tasting salt and Epsom salt are not the same. They are entirely different chemical compounds with different compositions, tastes, and safety profiles. Table salt, or sodium chloride, is the familiar salty seasoning, while Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a bitter compound primarily used for therapeutic baths and as a laxative. A simple taste test immediately reveals the difference, but relying on visual cues can be dangerous. It is critical to understand the distinction and never substitute Epsom salt for table salt in any culinary application due to the serious health risks associated with excessive magnesium intake. Always use products as intended to ensure both safety and the desired outcome.

For more in-depth information on the uses and safety of Epsom salt, consider reviewing guidelines from authoritative health organizations such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration or resources from the National Institutes of Health.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3030276/)

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should never cook with Epsom salt. It is magnesium sulfate, which has a very bitter and unpalatable taste, and can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities.

Accidentally tasting a small amount will result in a bitter taste and is generally not harmful. However, consuming more can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and in larger doses, magnesium toxicity.

The primary risk is magnesium toxicity (hypermagnesemia), which can lead to symptoms like severe diarrhea, altered mental status, irregular heartbeat, and dangerously low blood pressure.

Epsom salt is widely used for external purposes like soaking in baths to soothe sore muscles, reducing stress, and exfoliating skin. It is also used in gardening and, occasionally, as a laxative under medical guidance.

Visually, both can appear as white, crystalline substances. The best way to differentiate them is by their packaging and labeling, and crucially, never by taste.

While magnesium is an essential mineral, an excessive amount can be toxic. Ingesting too much magnesium sulfate, the compound in Epsom salt, can lead to serious health complications and should be avoided.

No, Epsom salt should never be used as a seasoning. Its bitter taste would ruin any food, and it poses health risks when ingested, unlike culinary table salt.