New York native Ernest Barbella has held a 50-year-plus career in the grocery business, serving as a store manager, an executive in a major supermarket chain, and owning his own group of stores. As a result, Ernest Barbella offers a wealth of knowledge about grocery products and their variations. For example, the common seasonings sea salt and table salt are similar, but have distinct differences.
All salt is made from sodium and chlorine, two essential minerals which form the compound sodium chloride. Table salt is usually found in salt flats and mines. It is also more heavily processed to remove excess minerals and impurities, a procedure which results in its being extremely finely ground. Because of the fine texture, table salt is prone to clumping, which in turn requires additives like anti-caking agents. Furthermore, iodine, a mineral found in eggs, fish, dairy, and seaweed, is added to prevent iodine deficiencies.
Conversely, sea salt is harvested by evaporating seawater, leaving just the salt crystals. Because it undergoes less processing than table salt, sea salt has more traces of natural minerals like potassium, zinc, and iron. Similarly, the texture and flavor is different than that of table salt, since it is less finely ground. Sea salt also has a stronger flavor than table salt.
All salt is made from sodium and chlorine, two essential minerals which form the compound sodium chloride. Table salt is usually found in salt flats and mines. It is also more heavily processed to remove excess minerals and impurities, a procedure which results in its being extremely finely ground. Because of the fine texture, table salt is prone to clumping, which in turn requires additives like anti-caking agents. Furthermore, iodine, a mineral found in eggs, fish, dairy, and seaweed, is added to prevent iodine deficiencies.
Conversely, sea salt is harvested by evaporating seawater, leaving just the salt crystals. Because it undergoes less processing than table salt, sea salt has more traces of natural minerals like potassium, zinc, and iron. Similarly, the texture and flavor is different than that of table salt, since it is less finely ground. Sea salt also has a stronger flavor than table salt.