Types of Salt Explained

Smoked salt is a unique type of salt that has been infused with the smoky flavors of different woods or herbs. It is created through a process where the salt crystals are exposed to smoke, allowing them to absorb the distinctive aromas and tastes. Each smoked sea salt is different depending on the wood it is smoked with, such as hickory, oak, mesquite, and alder. Smoked salt is commonly used as a seasoning or finishing salt to add depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. Its smoky flavor can complement both savory and sweet dishes, making it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Whether you're grilling meats or roasting vegetables, smoked salt can elevate the flavors and create a unique culinary experience.

Recommended for table use? Yes

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? No

Smoked salt uses: Cooking or finishing meats and hearty vegetables for a smoky flavor

Hawaiian salt offers a slightly briny flavor and is used in traditional Hawaiian cuisine, such as poke, kalua pig, and laulau. Its coarse texture makes it ideal for seasoning meats and seafood, as well as for rimming cocktail glasses. Originally used to bless tools, homes, and canoes on the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiian salt is also highly valued for its visual appeal and is often used as a finishing salt to garnish dishes. You can find Hawaiian salt in two varieties: lava and alaea salt. 

• Lava Salt: sea salt that has been mixed with charcoal which gives it a black color and a slight hint of sulfur flavor (Also known as Hawaiian black salt or Hiwa kai)
• Alaea Salt: sea salt that has been mixed with alaea clay which gives it a red color and a mild flavor (Also known as Hawaiian red salt)

Recommended for table use? Yes

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? No

Hawaiian salt uses: Finishing seafood and barbecue meats

Fleur de Sel salt, meaning "flower of salt" in French, is a type of sea salt that is highly regarded for its delicate briny flavor and unique texture. It is often considered a gourmet salt due to its artisanal production process and its ability to enhance the taste of various dishes, earning it the name of the "Caviar of salts". Fleur de Sel salt is hand-harvested from the surface of salt ponds or evaporation ponds, where it forms a thin, delicate crust. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Fleur de Sel salt is its moisture content which gives it a slightly sticky texture. This unique texture allows the salt to dissolve quickly and evenly, providing a burst of flavor when added to food. It is perfect as a finishing salt for savory meals or even sweets like chocolate and caramel. 

Recommended for table use? Yes

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? Yes

Fleur de Sel salt uses: Finishing meats, seafood, vegetables, and baked goods

Also recognized as "sel gris", Celtic salt is extracted from the mineral-rich seawater on the coastal shores of France. It is harvested using the traditional Celtic methods of raking the salt from the bottom of tidepools after it has sunk and collected further minerals. Celtic salt is known for its high mineral content, containing essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. This slightly moist artisan salt holds a briny taste with a gray hue that is perfect for cooking with or serving on meats and fish. 

Recommended for table use? Yes

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? No

Celtic salt uses: Finishing meats and seafood

Flake salt is a type of salt that is characterized by its thin, flat, and irregularly shaped flakes. Harvested from the coastal regions of England, flake salt forms through evaporation, producing a dryer and more pyramid-like crystal. It dissolves more quickly than some other sea salts, adding dynamic pops of flavor to your dish. It's perfect as a finishing salt on meats, for blending with herbs and spices, or for adding onto baked goods.

Recommended for table use? No

Recommended for cooking? No

Recommended for baking? No

Flake salt uses: Finishing meats, seafood, baked goods, or creating spice blends

Himalayan salt is a type of rock salt that is mined from the Khewra Salt Mine in the Punjab region of Pakistan. It is named after the Himalayan mountain range and is known for its distinctive pink color, which is due to the presence of over 80 trace minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals not only contribute to its unique color but also give it a slightly different taste compared to regular table salt. It is believed to offer various health benefits, such as improving digestion, balancing electrolytes, and supporting respiratory health. Himalayan salt is great for cooking, baking, and finishing applications, as well as for spa treatments to release ions into the air. 

Recommended for table use? Yes

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? Yes

Himalayan salt uses: Cooking, baking, finishing, and spa treatments

Kosher salt gets its name from the koshering process of meat, where it is traditionally used to draw out blood from cuts of meat. It is now one of the most popular culinary salts due to its coarse texture and larger crystals compared to table salt. Kosher salt is easy to pinch and sprinkle, allowing for better control over the amount of salt added to dishes. It dissolves quickly and evenly, making it a popular choice among chefs and home cooks alike. For salt to receive the Kosher certification, it must be made under Kosher supervision. 

Recommended for table use? Yes

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? Yes

Kosher salt uses: Cooking, baking, finishing, curing, and last-minute seasoning

Curing salt, also known as pink salt or Prague powder, is a type of salt that is commonly used in the food industry for preserving and flavoring meat products. It is a combination of regular salt and sodium nitrite, which serves as a curing agent. Curing salt is used in the process of curing, which involves preserving and enhancing the flavor and color of meat products, such as bacon, ham, and sausages. The addition of sodium nitrite helps inhibit the growth of bacteria, such as botulism, and prevents spoilage. It is important to note that curing salt should be used in the appropriate amounts and according to the guidelines provided in your recipe, as excessive consumption can be harmful to health.

Recommended for table use? No

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? No

Curing salt uses: Curing meats before cooking

Pretzel salt, also known as pretzel coarse salt, is a type of salt commonly used in the baking and seasoning of pretzels. It is a coarse-grained salt that adds a distinct flavor and texture to pretzels, making them savory and delicious. Pretzel salt is typically made up of larger salt crystals, which adhere well to the surface of the dough and provide a satisfying crunch when bitten into. Its unique texture and flavor make it an essential ingredient for finishing authentic pretzels and other types of bread. 

Recommended for table use? No

Recommended for cooking? No

Recommended for baking? No

Pretzel salt uses: Finishing breads such as pretzels, focaccia, bagels, and rolls

“Black salt” in Nepalese, kala namak is a mixture of Himalayan salt, charcoal, bark, herbs, and seeds that has been sealed in a ceramic jar and fired in a furnace for 24 hours. It is then cooled down and stored away to be aged before being sold. Kala namak is a pungent salt with a beautiful, reddish-black color. This unique salt has a faint sulfurous aroma similar to eggs and is often used in heartier dishes, as well as vegan dishes to mimic the taste of eggs.

Recommended for table use? No

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? No

Kala namak salt uses: Cooking hearty dishes and vegan meals

Considered the perfect all-purpose salt, table salt is used as an ingredient or seasoning in most cooking and baking recipes. Table salt will usually contain added iodine as iodine deficiency has become common in many parts of the world. Anti-caking agents are often added to table salt to prevent clumping and keep the salt flowing freely. Table salt has a uniform crystal size, which is great for concise and consistent cooking when measuring in volume.

Recommended for table use? Yes

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? Yes

Table salt uses: Cooking, baking, and last-minute seasoning

Also known as flour salt, salt powder is an even finer grain than table salt. Blending easily into recipes and ensuring a uniform taste, salt powder is ideal for coating snack mixes and sprinkling on salads, as well as using on a larger scale in sauces, soups, and batters.

Recommended for table use? Yes

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? No

Salt powder uses: Cooking and last-minute seasoning

Canning and pickling salt is a specific type of salt that is commonly used in the process of preserving and flavoring foods. Unlike other types of salt, canning and pickling salt does not contain any additives, such as iodine or anti-caking agents, which can affect the taste and appearance of preserved foods. This pure form of salt helps to maintain the natural color and texture of the food being preserved, ensuring a high-quality end product. Canning and pickling salt is also finely granulated, which allows it to dissolve easily in liquids, making it ideal for use in brines and pickling solutions. 

Recommended for table use? No

Recommended for cooking? Yes

Recommended for baking? No

Canning and pickling salt uses: Canning or pickling fresh produce

Popcorn salt is excellent for giving extra flavor to popcorn, fries, nachos, corn on the cob, and other savory snacks and dishes. It is a super fine salt that easily adheres to freshly cooked items, and is especially beneficial for getting in the nooks and crannies of popcorn. Coming in different flavorings from butter, sour cream and onion, garlic, and jalapeno to name a few, this is an easy way to dress up your snacks and differentiate them to offer more flavoring options.

Recommended for table use? No

Recommended for cooking? No

Recommended for baking? No

Popcorn salt uses: Last-minute seasoning of snacks

Available in a crystal, cube, or pellet form, water softening salt works with your water softener system to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium that cause hard water. Eliminating hard water helps reduce unsightly spots on your dinnerware, glassware, and flatware, as well as cleaning your towels, sheets, and clothes more efficiently. 

Recommended for table use? No

Recommended for cooking? No

Recommended for baking? No

Water softening uses: Softening hard water for effective cleaning