In grocery stores, you can now find not only table salt, but also sea salt. Its cost is an order of magnitude higher, so not everyone decides to buy it. Moreover, not everyone knows how sea salt differs from table salt.
The main differences
First of all, the difference between sea and table salt is the way it is obtained. The first is produced by evaporation of salty lake or sea water. Such salt usually undergoes minor processing, and then immediately packaged and goes on sale. Thanks to this, minerals and trace elements useful for health are preserved in it. It is important to note that their number directly depends on the place where the salt is mined. In addition, this parameter also affects what kind of nutrients will be contained in the final product.
Table salt is usually mined from underground deposits. It undergoes thorough processing, since it initially contains substances that do not have a beneficial effect on the body. In addition, special chemical additives are introduced into this salt. They are necessary in order to prevent sticking of the food product, to improve the color and its consumer characteristics. It is quite common to add a certain amount of iodine to table salt, which is an essential nutrient to support thyroid health.
Another difference between table salt and sea salt is the species. So, the first product is smaller. Grains of table salt are several times smaller than those present in sea salt. Moreover, their color can also be different. Because sea salt contains certain minerals, they can give it a yellowish, grayish or bluish tint. Whereas a cooked product always has a flawless white color.
Additional differences
Usually, table salt does not have any aroma, unless its storage rules have been violated. Whereas sea salt has a specific smell. However, when cooking, almost all of it goes away.
The taste of sea salt is richer and more intense. It can be stored for many years. Throughout this period, its useful substances remain in the same volume. Whereas table iodized salt can be stored for no more than 6 months.
The nutritional value of these products is the same. The amount of sodium by weight does not differ either. At the same time, nutritionists still advise using sea salt, since it contains more nutrients and does not undergo long-term processing. But it is important to introduce it into the diet in small quantities - no more than 2300 mg per day. Otherwise, even such a useful product will harm your health.
