Did you know that there are different kinds of salt from around the world? What are the different types of salt? What are they all used for?
Sodium, otherwise known as salt, is in just about everything you consume. From soap to food, you encounter salt everywhere you go. But there are different types of salt, like road salt and culinary salt, for instance.
In this article, you’ll read all about the 12 most popular salts and a bit about salt outside of the culinary world. Keep reading to learn more!
Salt in Halotherapy
The only salt that can be used for halotherapy is pure grade sodium chloride (also known as medical-grade or pharmaceutical-grade salt), which is the highest purity salt, often used in medical applications. It is 99.99% NaCl and contains no insoluble ingredients and is free from all other contaminants.
This type of salt is placed in a device called a halogenerator which grinds the sodium chloride into micron-sized particles to form a dry salt aerosol that is inhaled in a salt chamber environment.
Digesting salt and dry salt inhalation are very distinct. Pure grade sodium chloride is the only salt approved by the Salt Therapy Association for use in halogenerators for several reasons:
- What makes dry salt therapy effective is the properties of the sodium chloride (NaCl). The purer the salt, the higher the percentage of sodium chloride, the more effective the salt will be in providing the characteristics of being super absorbent, anti-inflammatory. and anti-bacterial.
- Pure sodium chloride is a naturally harvested salt that is processed to eliminate all the trace elements, minerals, dirt, and debris to achieve 99.99% pure sodium chloride.
What Are the 12 Types of Salt?
You may be familiar with some of the more popular salts like table salt and even Himalayan salt. But there are so many different varieties from all over the world that might give a new flair to your food. Here are the top 12 culinary salts:
1. Iodized Salt
Often called table salt because it is often kept and used at the kitchen table. This finely ground salt is mined from salt deposits underneath the earth and then refined and mixed with iodine.
2. Sea Salt
There are many types of salt in the sea. When seawater dries up in tidal pools, it leaves salty residue. This is collected and refined for use as table salt.
3. Kosher Salt
You’ve probably asked yourself if there’s a difference between kosher and table salt, and there definitely is. For starters, it has a coarser texture. And unlike table salt, kosher has no iodine content or any other additives. It’s said to taste better because of the lack of iodine.
4. Pickling Salt
Pickling salt doesn’t have any additives to keep it from clumping, so it’s much more dissolvable even though it’s coarse. This is the type of salt is used for preserving and canning food like gherkins, beans, and beets.
5. Pink Salt
Otherwise known as Himalayan Pink Salt, this coarse and vibrantly colored salt comes from Pakistan. It’s one of the purest forms of salt, with a sodium chloride content of 98%. Pink salt is usually used as a garnish or finishing salt on gourmet dishes and is a favorite material in salt decor.
6. Black Salt
This salt is also called Himalayan Black Salt. It’s not actually black, but more of a deep purple. It’s coarse, like pink salt, but it’s very strong, so should be used with discretion to garnish a plate or as a final touch.
7. Flake Salt
Flake salt isn’t ground like other types of salt. Instead, it’s shaved off, giving it a light, thin texture. This type of salt has a strong salty taste. It’s often used to garnish appetizers like bruschetta and even for salted caramel.
8. Black Hawaiian Salt
Black Hawaiian Salt is harvested and refined with activated charcoal to give it a powerful earthy taste. This type of salt is coarsely ground and used as a finishing salt on savory and smoked dishes.
9. Red Hawaiian Salt
Coarse Red Hawaiian salt is coarsely ground with red volcanic clay to give it a bright red color and nutty taste. Great for garnishing pretzels and even desserts.
10. Smoked Salt
Made by smoking applewood or hickory wood under the salt, so the salt soaks up all of the flavors. This is great for a smoky flavor for food on the barbeque.
11. Celtic Salt
Celtic salt is collected in France, from the Atlantic Ocean. It brings out the flavor of foods like vegetables and roasted meats and doesn’t have a strong salty taste, which makes it a popular choice for people who don’t like salt.
12. Fleur De Sel
Fleur de Sel means “flower of salt” in French. This is a very rare type of salt that is harvested in Brittany. It doesn’t have a strong salt flavor like other garnish salts but does make a nice finishing touch on many dishes. And it’s easily dissolved.
What About Epsom Salts?
Surprisingly, Epsom salts are not salt at all, they’re made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen, making cup the compound, magnesium sulfate. This can be used in the bath for relaxation and has been said to be effective for detoxifying the body.
Leo Tonkin, with a decade of deep expertise in salt therapy, initiated SALT Chamber, a leading entity in the domain of salt therapy products and decor. As the inaugural Chairman of the Salt Therapy Association and Chair of the Respiratory Wellness Initiative from the Global Wellness Institute, he has played a pivotal role in broadening the accessibility and recognition of salt therapy globally. His commitment to developing advanced technology and educating the public on the benefits of salt therapy has solidified his position as a key figure in the industry, enhancing its credibility and trustworthiness.
