How to cook salt

Information for salt in our free cooking ingredients collection.

Salt

Salt is made of crystallized sodium and chloride and has been used for centuries to add flavor to food and to preserve it. Today, this condiment can be found on virtually every table in Western nations.

Various salts are available today:

Table salt - Often supplemented with iodine, table salt consists of fine-grained salt crystals that may be treated to help it flow freely out of salt shakers.

Sea sal - Available in both fine and coarse grains, sea salt is made by evaporating sea water. It can be used at the table or for cooking. It has a bit more of a tang than table salt and may contain other chemicals, such as magnesium and calcium, found naturally in sea water.

Kosher salt - This coarse-grained salt is often sprinkled over baked goods or salads. It contains no additives, and many say it tastes less salty than table salt (although it has the same amount of sodium as table salt). It is made and processed in compliance with guidelines set forth by the Jewish religion.

Rock salt - This salt is mined from natural deposits in the earth’s surface. Table salt is typically refined from rock salt.

Seasoned salt - Spices, herbs, or other agents may be mixed with salt to make a seasoned, salty product. Most of these products are made up primarily of salt.

Salt plays a key role in many different functions of the human body. However, too much of it can be harmful to your health.

Eating salt in moderation can be difficult. Many foods contain some salt naturally. Prepared foods often contain high amounts of sodium, in some cases a thousand milligrams of sodium or more. Foods high in salt include condiments, pickled foods, canned vegetables, convenience foods, and cured meats. Always look at the label to ensure you know how much salt you are getting.

One simple but important step to cut back on salt is to taste your food first before adding salt to it. Too often, salting is a reflex, not a necessity. A better strategy for reducing salt in your diet is to cut back gradually and reduce or eliminate prepared foods altogether.

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