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| Please educate me on different kinds of salts and when and how you use them. Several years ago, I switched to using Hain Iodized Sea Salt and that has been the only salt I have in the house. I am getting a salt grinder, and a himalayan sea salt kit with a salt block and a package of salt crystals for Christmas. What is a finishing salt vs regular salt. Is this like wine and cheese - do some salts work better in salads, baking, or regular cooking? I think I am going to enjoy exploring salts. |
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| The one kind of salt I never use is iodized salt. There are lots of other sources for iodine in our diet besides iodized salt. I use different sea weed products (kelp, kombu, nori, etc.) which are high in iodine. Other common foods containing iodine: cod, milk, bread, yogurt... In fact, I use kelp granules as a low-sodium salt substitute. Kelp has been used to treat goiter since the early 1800's because of it's high iodine content. I keep high-mineral, light grey Celtic Sea Salt (from the Grain & Salt Society - www.celtic-seasalt.com) in the salt grinders. According to Shirley Corriher in "CookWise", "For bread, the additional minerals in sea salt can be helpful in gluten development". I use super-fine brine-grind Himalayan Salt for brining and fermenting. It's a little bit on the "tangy" side and is supposed to contain 84 minerals. It can be used in cooking and sprinkling on food. I've never experienced using the salt blocks. The only other kinds of salt I use are fine sea salt (La Baleine - mostly for baking), Kosher salt, and canning/pickling salt for home canning. I use either Celtic or Himalayan Salt in bread for their high mineral content. "Finishing Salt" is not just one kind of salt and is mostly a big trend right now. Like people don't already get too much salt in their diets, we now have to top everything, including candy, with it. You can add it for the variety of colors or flavors or a coarse crunchiness. Personally, a little salt goes a long way in my books. It does perform a lot of science in cooking and baking. Adding a little salt to something sweet will make it taste sweeter. There is a lot of good salt information at the link below. -Grainlady |
Here is a link that might be useful: Guide to Artisan and Gourmet Salt
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| Grainlady --> I love reading your posts. I always learn something. I knew about kelp for iodine but my family is not too crazy about the seaweed taste. Do the other products have a milder flavor? How do you measure the Celtic Seasalt for baking etc? Are the granules you grind better than already ground salt? Is this the regular salt you use for cooking or do you use kosher salt? I agree about a little salt going a long way. Thanks for the link - it seems to really detailed. Looks like the salt block is actually used to cook on! |
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| One more question - Do some salts prevent salad greens from wilting when used in the dressing? This would be brilliant if I can keep salads crisp longer |
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| I grind Celtic Sea Salt and measure as usual, although you can purchase it in a fine grind. I wouldn't think salt would keep salad greens crisp longer since salt draws out moisture. The only way I know to keep salad greens crisp longer is to vacuum-seal it in a jar/canister using a FoodSaver. Have fun experimenting with different salt products. -Grainlady |
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| I have Mediterranean Sea Salt that comes in its own grinder that I get from Costco. I use that and basic Kosher Salt for cooking seasoning. I make a salt myself made from Kosher Salt mixed with Fresh Rosemary, Fresh Ground Black & a touch of Sichuan Pepper and Lemon Peel. It is great on anything. I also have a big block of the pink Himalayan Salt that sits on the table and have a little grater that I just rub it across a few times and it spreads a talcum powder fine mist that works well to add that finishing touch when you need just a bit more salt. |
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| Besides seasoning food, you can use Himalayan salt blocks in inyteresting ways. You can heat up the blocks to high heat and cook food on them like fish, beef etc. I put the blocks in the frigerator to chill and then use them to servie sushi on. dcarch
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- Posted by islay_corbel (My Page) on Sat, Dec 22, 12 at 3:43
| That's so pretty! |
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| Beautiful DC!!! I was gifted a Himalayan salt block and needed visual encouragement to use it. |
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| Thank you for the info on the different salts Grainlady. Dcarch - That is absolutely gorgeous! Cathy - I found in my local BJ's pink Himalayan salt in a grinder, very easy to use. Love salty snacks. Silvia |
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