Tag: Salt processing

While many people perceive sea salt as a healthier alternative, a 2019 survey by the American Heart Association showed a majority mistakenly believed sea salt has less sodium than table salt. The truth is more nuanced, and understanding whether all sea salt is mineral salt requires exploring its origin, production, and composition.

Did you know that the amount of dextrose in iodized salt is typically less than one part per thousand, making it dietetically insignificant? This minor ingredient is added for a very specific, and surprising, reason: to stabilize the iodine fortification. It ensures the iodine, an essential nutrient, doesn't evaporate over time, preserving its nutritional value for consumers.

Over two billion people worldwide suffer from iodine deficiency, a public health issue often addressed through universal salt iodization programs. This raises a critical question for consumers: Does lake salt contain iodine, and can it be a reliable source for this essential nutrient?

By weight, the sodium content in sea salt and mined salt is almost identical. But is there a difference between sea salt and mined salt beyond the basic sodium content? This article dives into the production, flavor, and subtle mineral variations of these two common kitchen staples.

Himalayan pink salt is typically mined by hand and undergoes less processing than table salt. However, while often marketed as 'pure,' its mineral content can include naturally occurring heavy metals, and its overall 'cleanliness' depends on sourcing and processing standards.

Raw salt, often harvested through solar evaporation, retains a diverse mix of minerals, while table salt is extensively refined to produce almost pure sodium chloride. This difference in processing, not the sodium content, is the primary way raw salt differs from table salt, impacting their texture, flavor, and use.

Despite being derived from natural sources, kosher salt is primarily pure sodium chloride and contains no significant trace minerals. This occurs because the salt undergoes a refining process that removes impurities and mineral content, setting it apart from less-processed salts like Himalayan or some sea salts.

Did you know that commercial table salt is typically over 99% pure sodium chloride? When asking which salt is more pure, the answer is often misunderstood, as different varieties are valued for different reasons, not just their chemical composition. The concept of 'purity' depends entirely on your metric: is it the highest concentration of NaCl, or is it the lack of processing?

Despite common marketing claims, both rock salt and sea salt contain comparable amounts of sodium chloride by weight, with the health difference largely considered negligible by experts. The question of which is healthier, rock salt or sea salt, depends more on trace mineral content, processing, and overall sodium intake than the type of salt chosen.

Globally, millions of tons of salt are consumed annually, but many consumers question if manufacturers actually bleach table salt. While it is not bleached using common household chemicals, its pristine white appearance is the result of an extensive refining and purification process that removes all impurities.