What is kosher salt?

Kosher salt is a larger coarse-grained salt made from either underground deposits or evaporated seawater. The texture gives a flat or pyramidal, irregular crystal flake shape. Generally is sold under the brand name Diamond Crystal and Morton Salt. Kosher salt is white in color, and free from chemicals or artificial additives. Also cheap readily available, and contains fewer minerals other than sodium. It is usually not iodized, but some brands may contain an anti-caking agent that prevents the clumping of salt crystals. The following article gives a detailed discussion of Kosher salt composition, benefits, and a comparison of kosher salt vs sea salt.

Common names

Cooking salt, flake salt, rock salt, and kashering salt

Uses of Kosher salt

It is mainly used as a seasoning food. Mainly to remove blood and moisture in meat because it has a large crystal size. It tends to dissolve more slowly in the curing process of meats. And it more meticulously removes any traces of blood. Moreover kosher salt is a pure and less salty taste that gives a slight crunch when sprinkled on foods such as homemade bagels, pretzels, breadsticks, or grilled artichokes. It is also used with other spices and rim of margarita glasses.

Composition of Kosher salt

This salt is a mineral combination of sodium and chloride and it has a unique size and shape which gives taste, tactile and visual qualities.  Kosher salt contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc compounds, Let’s take a closer look at Kosher salt composition (1).

Health benefits of kosher salt

1. Antimicrobial properties

The addition of kosher salt in broiler carcasses (meat) acts as an antimicrobial agent that fights against different bacteria such as psychrotrophic, Salmonella, coliforms, and Escherichia coli to prevent contamination of meat and may be useful as a preservative ingredient (2).

2. Prevent hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke

As we know that high intake of salt (NaCl) increases the risk of several diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. But kosher salt is a good alternative to conventional salt. It reduces the risk of all such kinds of problems because Kosher salt dissolves faster (3.8 times higher), experiences maximum saltiness (up to 17% more) at shorter times (up to 40% less), and adheres to food more easily (3).

3. Lower or equal sodium content

Kosher salt has larger crystal sizes and thus contains less sodium by volume (e.g., by teaspoon or tablespoon). Table salt contains 35870 mg/100 g of sodium whereas kosher salt has roughly 34610 mg/100 g and contains an equal amount of potassium (182.7 mg/100 g). Therefore kosher salt is a better choice of salt for consumers instead of table salt (4).

Kosher salt vs. sea salt

• Kosher salt has a larger grain size which makes it easier to pick up with your fingers and spread over food while sea salt is the coarsest and not as free-flowing as kosher salt.
• In comparison to sea salt, it has a less intense salty flavor and contains antimicrobial properties.
• Kosher salt is preferred over sea salt for brining, pickling, and marinades because it dissolves easily and gives more saltiness in less time.
• However sea salt and kosher salt both may contain less sodium per teaspoon than table salt as their grains are bigger and less processed as well as contain fewer minerals.

Q&A

1. What are kosher salt advantages?

In terms of its inhibitory action against different bacteria, yes kosher salt is better than other chemicals such as chlorine and chlorine-related compounds, organic acids, and quaternary ammonium compounds because it prevents foodborne pathogens without any side effects. Moreover, if you do not like the taste of iodine in salt kosher salt is a good option but not for daily use (5).

2. What amount kosher salt use?

Table salt is actually double as salty as kosher salt so if a recipe says to use 1 tablespoon of table salt you have to use 2 tablespoons of kosher salt

3. Is kosher salt bad for you?

Nope, Kosher salt is as healthy as table salt although if this salt is made by evaporating water from oceans or saltwater lakes that contain trace amounts of heavy metals and synthetic polymers (microplastics) due to pollution in the sea which is harmful to the human body and gives long-term adverse effects resulting from human exposure to these particles.