While many people crave sweets, just as many like to eat foods that are salty. I personally like both but since I have been living a Keto lifestyle for the last two years, I have found that it is easy to bake sweet things using stevia in place of sugar but finding salty treats have been a little more challenging.
I realized that I need to learn the difference between a ton of different spices and different types of salt, and that includes the differences between kosher salt and sea salt. Either one of them can add so much flavor to a dish since salt brings out the taste in a variety of different foods, including peanut butter and meat. Salt can even enhance the taste and natural sweetness of different foods too.
Both kosher and sea salt offer thicker chunks and larger crystals than the tiny ones found in regular table salt, with the most popular being iodized table salt, which we should all be very familiar with when it comes to seasoning our food but just what are the differences between kosher and sea salt?
This article should help you learn and understand the difference between the two in the little war between kosher salt vs sea salt.
Related: Kosher Salt vs. Table Salt | Cleaning with Salt | Types of Salt | Salt Substitute Options | Salt and Sugar Curing | Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits
Kosher Salt
Much like pink Himalayan salt and sea salt, kosher salt has a larger, coarse grain. It is normally not iodized and is very versatile. The flakes of kosher salt are large, fluffy, and light and they do not dissolve as quickly as, say, table salt.
This type of salt gets its name from the Jewish practice of ancient times in which coarse-grained salt was used to drain blood from meat since it is forbidden in certain Jewish Traditions. Keep in mind, though, it is not technically kosher in less it is created and produced under a certain set of standards and guidelines. The only kosher salt that actually follows those guidelines will be labeled with couture certified.
So in other words, any salt can be referred to as kosher if it is made under the kosher guidelines but actual kosher salt has nothing to do with the kosher dietary guidelines that our practice by Jewish people. This type of salt has become a very common ingredient there is found in the cooking, recipes, and kitchens of world-class famous chefs and even self-taught chefs.
Kosher salt can be used with a variety of different foods, including steaks, roasts, and cookies.
Kosher salt is very versatile because of its coarse texture and the fact that it dissolves quickly makes it great to use before you cook, during the cooking process, and after you cook and are ready to eat.
The two most popular brands of kosher salt are Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt and Morton Kosher Salt. Since they have different properties and are produced in different ways than each other, the results you get are slightly different. Diamond Crystal seems to dissolve twice as fast as the more dense Morton salt which means it is easier to work with when you are seasoning your food without doing measurements first.
Kosher salt is great when seasoning food, including meat, veggies, and the water for your pasta. Kosher salt is easy to sprinkle with your hands and you can feel how much you are using as opposed to when you are using table salt from a salt shaker and take a chance on using too much.
Sea Salt
Sea salt comes from, you guessed it, seawater. It retains its natural trace minerals which is why it is touted as being very healthy for you. Sea salt is leftover when water from the ocean or even saltwater lakes evaporates. It goes through a minimal level of processing which is why it retains many of its nutrients including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium
It boasts a coarser grain than table salt does but it is softer than kosher salt and is known for its texture that is crunchy and its delicious flavor. The first time I heard of sea salt is when Wendy’s came out with sea salt French fries, at least when it comes to using it on food.
I’ve been degree so I’ve actually swum in the Mediterranean Sea that is full of seawater filled with sea salt along with various trips to Florida to the ocean. It is harvested from evaporated seawater. Currently, I am enjoying Kroger brand peanuts that are salted with coarse sea salt and they are delicious and keto-friendly.
Sea salt can be used on a variety of foods, including steaks and salads, and even chocolate chip cookies to add more texture and a great flavor.
If you are looking for fine sea salt, the type to purchase is the Maldon Sea Salt, although it can be quite pricey. It is a flake salt that is delicious and much more healthy for you than regular salt. Many famous chefs use coarse salt that features salt crystals when it comes to a baking recipe and other dishes.
Sea salt is the most unrefined version of salts so it tends to be more expensive than kosher salt. You should use it sparingly in your cooking. The flakes of sea salt differ in not only size but density also so it is best used as a finishing salt which also adds a delicious layer of crunchiness to your foods, including nuts and French fries.
FAQs About Kosher Salt, Sea Salt, and Other Salts
What is Celtic salt?
It is a type of sea salt that first became popular in France centuries ago. This type of salt boasts trace amounts of minerals and is actually a little lower in sodium content than plain table salt. It has a grayish color to it and is very moist. It comes from evaporated seawater and has more mineral trace amounts.
What are salt substitutes?
Salt substitutes are low-sodium alternate options to table salt and are touted as being a way to ward off the risk of high blood pressure or heart disease due to consuming too much salt. This comes from a higher intake of sodium chloride and these alternatives, such as Mrs. Dash, have a similar taste to table salt but without the sodium chloride that can give you health issues.
My obstetrician recommended that I use Mrs. Dash when I was pregnant with my son because I had too much swelling from water retention so he did not want me to eat any salt.
What is pickling salt?
Pickling salt, which is also sometimes referred to as preserving salt or canning salt, is purely granulated salt. Kosher salt is great to use instead of pickling salt as long as it is pure and does not contain any additives. You can also opt to use pure sea salt when canning foods, such as pickles, hence the name pickling salt.
What is Himalayan pink salt?
Himalayan pink salt has a pink hue to it, hence the name, and is mined like rock salt from the Himalaya Mountains in South Asia. It is considered to be healthier for you than regular table salt, also known as sodium chloride. Technically, pink Himalayan salt is a type of sea salt.