Sea salt is sea salt, which is created by the evaporation process of seawater. It is mainly used for preserving food, cooking, cosmetic and as a seasoning in many foods. It’s also known as sea salt, black sea salt or simply salty salt. Production of sea salt goes back to prehistoric times when fossilized shells were found on the beach. These shells had been formed over a million years ago.
Evaporating seawater contains high concentration of salt crystals. As these salt crystals come into contact with air, the process of evaporation increases the concentration of these crystals. When this process is slowed down, the crystals fall to the ocean floor where they settle and form salt puddles. Because of this process, salt puddles are rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, strontium, zinc, manganese, iron and other trace elements.
Salt puddles, being rich in trace mineral content, attract microorganisms that eat the mineral deposits and produce sodium chloride ions. In addition, these microorganisms release energy through respiration and excretion. The presence of oxygenation triggers bacterial growth, which feeds on the mineral traces. These bacteria break down the Trace Elements, releasing their ions into the environment. This produces coarse sea salt and fine unrefined sea salt.
The taste of sea salt depends on its mineral content. Most table salt consists of potassium and sodium chloride. There are no other trace minerals present in it. Salt imparts a distinctive salty taste to the food. This salty taste can be avoided by using table salt in small quantities, and it can be replaced with table salt or by using an alternative product. However, in most instances, commercially available table salt cannot be used for cooking since its high sodium concentration imparts a very salty taste to the food.
Salt is mainly derived from sea salt and is extracted from seas and lakes by different methods. One method involves boiling the seawater until it evaporates, and then the salt droplets are collected and concentrated. Another method uses electricity to conduct heat, and then the sodium chloride solution is distilled and purified.
Evaporating sea salt (salt rock) has become a popular method of obtaining table salt since it contains a lot of minerals which make it ideal for use in baking and cooking. However, commercial sea salt is processed before it goes on sale for consumption. After the process of evaporation, most table salts contain traces of potassium which make them suitable for use in baking, cooking and even for treating wounds. Industrial salts are also available in tablet, crystal, micronized and micro-ceramic forms.
Natural sea salt can also be harvested from the shore. This harvesting usually employs people who work in the sea shores for living conditions. Harvesting from natural sources offers the consumers with a variety of desirable qualities including a salty taste and variety of minerals that make it ideal for use in various dishes. Natural sea salt comes in different natural colors such as grayish, greenish, white and brown and can be harvested in many locations.
Crystal sea salt is harvested from the sea floor by using special equipment that involves laying down nets over the area to be covered. The crystals are then harvested one at a time. These crystals are then processed to produce fine crystals that have a high sodium concentration. Fine crystals are often used in salt mixes and table salt.
Another type of sea salt is the one that has less sodium content. Most people believe that table salt contains more sodium content. Although it is true that salt contains sodium, this content is necessary only when people cook food using salt. When people cook food without adding any salt, they do not increase the amount of sodium in their body. On the contrary, when people eat foods that are rich in salt, sodium is retained in the body and there is an increase in the amount of sodium in the blood.
As many people believe, it is important to consume a natural source of table salt. Today, this source includes sea salt that is harvested from the sea floors and is processed just like natural sea salt. It can be used to enhance the flavor of foods and it is known to be a healthy alternative.
There are other types of sea salts that are sold in the market today. They are harvested from various locations and may contain varying amounts of minerals in them. This includes magnesium, potassium and sodium chloride. Most sea salt is harvested from the sea floor. This helps to retain its mineral content and retains the taste for a longer period of time. However, if you wish to have a saltier taste, you can purchase sea bath salts which are harvested from the ocean.