The Difference Between Kosher Salt and Regular Salt
Kosher salt is a common cooking ingredient and table salt. Technically, any kosher salt may be called kosher, but not if it is prepared under kosher supervision. Kosher is the symbol of Jewish membership and Jewish ritual. But there are other important facts about kosher salt that may surprise you.
Kosher table salt consists mainly of minerals from brine and sea salts. Salt crystals form naturally on the outside and accumulate impurities as they are exposed to air and water. As the crystal salt develops, its surface changes from gray to black. This change is not a flaw in the salt crystal, but only an advantage for the crystal to absorb and accumulate impurities. These impurities include sulfur, iron, manganese, and calcium. Table salt is usually not prepared with these minerals.
Another difference between kosher salt and regular table salt is the texture. Kosher salt tends to be crunchier than table salt. It has a coarse texture, because the crystals are mostly fine grained, and therefore not susceptible to cracking when ground. The fine grained crystals also add an additional dimension of flavor.
The type of mineral content depends on what the salt is prepared with. Brine salts contain more dissolved solids and larger crystals; this means they are also coarse. Sea salt on the other hand contains smaller crystals and is lighter. So it has a finer texture. Kosher salt contains larger crystallized minerals, and are the most popular type of salt used in preparing food.
The benefits of kosher salt are well-documented. In fact, many chefs worldwide use kosher salt in their recipes, and have found that this salt helps make dishes taste better. For instance, kosher salt was used long ago in Europe to help preserve food during the war, because the soldiers had no alternative but to eat salty food during those times.
One reason why kosher table salt is salty is because it is made up of fine crystals. Table salt is basically table salt with additives added to improve its ability to retain moisture and prevent contamination. Often, table salt is made from seawater, which has tiny crystals that make the salt clumpy. With kosher salt, there is no need for table salt because it is fine grained enough to provide a good texture and it also contains large crystals that add to its salty taste.
The main difference between kosher salt and regular salt is its color. Kosher salt does not come in a dull grayish color, but it is mostly white. This means that the salt does not have any additives, such as pigments, to give it a flecked appearance. This also means that it does not have any flecks of pigment on it. As a result, there are no colors or spots of residue on the surface, which is what makes regular salt look so unattractive and even causes health problems. As far as the flavor is concerned, it is not affected by any additives or flavoring, but it does tend to retain a somewhat salty taste, much like regular table salt.
Although kosher salt is not as popular as table salt, it does have its benefits. First, it is made from natural minerals, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium chloride. Second, the fine crystals add a subtle yet delightful flavor to food. And last, it is great for hygienic purposes. It does not have any additives that might compromise the health of the food, so it is very useful for things such as soaking meat in order to avoid cross-contamination of bacteria and other harmful microbes.