What exactly is Kosher Salt anyway? Ever since you could even possibly hold a fork, you’ve been seasoning your food with kosher table salt; yet again, begs the question, what’s so special about Kosher sea salt that would make you desire to switch your salt habits entirely. Well, there is no special salt at all, just table salt, and it is also commonly known as sea salt or kosher salt. These two names mean essentially the same thing, and are used interchangeably, but they are not one in the same.
Kosher sea salt contains no additives or chemicals, but has been chemically treated in order to extend its shelf life and increase its salt content. In its natural state, sea salt is grey in color and quite hard and dull. But in its more refined and less chemically treated state, it has a light, translucent and fresh appearance, and it is this fresh, light appearance that is used to add a unique flavor to kosher salt. Kosher sea salt is used for cooking, baking, and any other form of preparation where it will impart a flavor or color to food. However, not all kosher salt is kosher salt; there are also un Kosher sea salts on the market, and these do not necessarily have the same benefits, attributes or uses as Kosher table salt.
The primary key features of Kosher salt are moisture content and sodium content, however, there are a few other key features that also help to distinguish kosher salt from table salt. Most importantly, Kosher salt is able to maintain its saltiness and flavor for longer periods of time when compared to table salt. Because the salt holds onto the moisture longer, and thus does not dry out as quickly as table salt, this helps to preserve its use over time. This also creates a higher quality product, as the product will not be impacted by the elements such as weathering and oxidation as often found with table salt.
Another feature that separates kosher sea salt from table salt is its lack of additives. All kosher sea salt has been created without any additives. In addition, there are no chemicals added to Kosher sea salt during the manufacturing process; Kosher sea salt is left naturally un-aged, unprocessed, and un-cheated. Because there are no additional ingredients added during the production process, there is no fear of chemical interaction and unwanted reactions with food, as is commonly found with table salt.
One of the key features of kosher salt is its lack of iodine. Table salt is typically made with iodine, which helps to maintain the body’s ph balance. Iodine is an important element for human health and is necessary for proper thyroid function. Table salt has an extremely high amount of iodine, which can cause various side effects if taken in excess. By contrast, sea salts do not contain any iodine and therefore have no negative effects on the body. This is a great advantage when it comes to managing one’s thyroid function.
Another key feature of kosher sea salt is that it contains trace minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. These trace minerals are found in no other type of salt and are essential for good overall health. The lack of added additives found in kosher sea salt helps to ensure these minerals are not lost during the manufacturing process. While table salt does contain some of these minerals, kosher sea salt is much more natural and therefore better for your body.