Discover the Amazing World of Salts 

Although a common ingredient in the culinary world, salt is something of an indispensable and inexpensive wonder. A tiny pinch of this ingredient can take your dishes to the next level. Being one of the five basic elements of taste, salt delivers an exquisite aroma that is an integral part of the taste. It is also responsible for highlighting or suppressing different food flavours.

For instance, when consumed in small amounts, salt can curb bitterness and heighten the sourness and sweet profiles. It can thus provide a two-dimensional taste to a mundane dish. When used in higher doses, salt provides just the right balance to make meat and savoury dishes delicious. Now, with this many interesting features, this seemingly simple condiment comes in many varieties.

The Sea Salt

Obtained from evaporated sea water, the sea salt is the lightest and flakiest type of salt. Bays and ponds in dry climates facilitate the production of this salt naturally. They are generally found in the form of large crystals when the seawater evaporates. However, the term sea salt is a broad term and includes specialty smoked salt in Australia as well.

Fleur de Sel Salt

This specialty sea salt is produced only on the coast of Brittany, France, and is a pricier version of sea salt. Its high price is attributed to its scarcity and labour-intensive harvesting. Available only during May through September, this salt has delicate crystals and paper-thin texture.

Due to this unique configuration, the fleur de sel can only be extracted on a dry, sunny, and lightly breezy days using a traditional wooden rake. This salt makes a perfect add-on for savoury meals, caramel, and chocolate. With a blue-grey tint and briny flavour, this sea salt is something that is highly desirable.

Smoked Salt

Smoked salt in Australia is obtained through a slow smoking process. This process is continued for about two weeks to deliver a smoky and woody flavour to the dishes. Smoked sea salts also differ from one another based on the type of wood used for smoking.

Rock Salt

This salt is mined from underground salt mines using dynamite and later crushed for consumption. Known by the scientific term halite, the rock salt is often found beneath the rugged layers of the earth. It gives an extra dimension to flavours and fine texture to baked goods. It is also a powerhouse of natural minerals found in the human body. Again, you will be surprised to discover the many different forms of rock salt.

The Himalayan Salt

This is one of the purest salts found in the world and is the go-to flavour booster for every health-conscious individual across the globe. Containing 84 elements that are found in the human body, the Himalayan salt ranges from being off white to deep pink. The complex mineral content helps it deliver a bold flavour to your cooking. Being highly heat tolerant, the Himalayan salt is used in spa treatments as well. You can even consider using this salt as a finishing ingredient.

Kosher Salt

The koshering or kosher salt is used for removing the surface fluids from meat through desiccation. This salt is coarser and flakier than the regular table salt and makes it a perfect add-on for meat. Just sprinkle a pinch of this salt on to the meat to release a delicious flavour blast. The Kosher salt dissolves quickly and also works as an all-purpose salt. It is now the favourite of the chefs worldwide because of its versatility and even distribution properties.

Fine Salt

As the name suggests, this salt consists of extremely fine grains that are obtained from salt brines. It is a high yield, inexpensive, and a clear product. Salt brines are created when water is pumped into the earth’s surface to dissolve the salts. Once created, salt brines are raised to the surface, and water is evaporated completely to deliver the salt in your kitchen cabinet. There are many forms of fine salt to explore

Table salt

This ingredient is a perfect all-purpose salt that is used in most of the cooking and baking recipes. Anti-caking agents and iodine are commonly added to prevent clumping and fight the issue of iodine deficiency. It has uniform crystals that flow freely in any recipe. This characteristic makes table salt an ideal choice for consistent and concise cooking.

Canning and Pickling Salt

This is one of the key ingredients for canning and pickling process. The smaller grains help to maintain the excellent condition of the produce. It is a salt that is devoid of minerals, additives, and iodine. It is also much concentrated and can preserve the colour of the produce.

If you thought that salt just makes food taste great, then its time to take a look at the gourmet spice aisle carefully. From finely ground powders, small crystals to irregular chunks, a variety of salt types await your interest. So, do not hesitate to load your kitchen cabinet with these varieties.