What is the major difference between kosher salt and sea salt?

Question

I have several recipes that call for kosher salt, I have sea salt and would just as soon use that as buying kosher salt if the difference is small enough... What is the difference?

Answer 1

The significant diferences are in the provenance and processing of these salts and the type of grain. All salts that we consume are made from sea salt or mined from inland salt deposits. There are four common varieties: iodized table salt, kosher salt, sea salt, and fleur de sel (a type of sea salt).
• Table salt is the most common kind of salt found in the average kitchen. It usually comes from salt mines and once it's mined, it is refined and most minerals are removed from it until it is pure sodium chloride. Most table salt is available either plain or iodized. It also includes an anti-caking agent so the salt won't get lumpy in humid weather. It possesses very fine crystals that dissolve quickly,and a sharp taste.
• Sea salt is a broad term that generally refers to unrefined salt derived directly from a living ocean or sea. It is harvested through channeling ocean water into large clay trays and allowing the sun and wind to evaporate it naturally. Depending upon the geographic location, altitude, and composition of the salt ponds from which the salt originates, the salt may take on certain colors representing some of the trace minerals in the area. Some of these impart a different taste or flavor. Sea salt comes in coarse, fine-grained or extra fine grain crystals.
• Kosher salt was developed for the preparation of kosher meats. It contains no preservatives and additives.Can be derived from either seawater or inland salt deposits. It is made by compressing table salt crystals under pressure and then sizing the resulting agglomerates to yield a coarse-type salt. It has a more salty taste than ordinary table salt. It generally comes in flakes rather than granules. The flakes dissolve easily, and have a less pungent flavor than table salt. Due to the shape of the granules, there is simply less salt in a pinch of kosher salt than in a pinch of table salt. This is the kind of salt most often used on top of pretzels and on the rims of margarita glasses. It is important to note that all Kosher salt is not necessarily sea salt. Kosher salt comes in fine and coarse grain.
• Fleur de Sel (flower of salt) is the premier condiment salt. This artisan sea salt is comprised of "young" crystals that form naturally on the surface of salt evaporation ponds. They are hand harvested under specific weather conditions by traditional "Paludiers" (salt farmers). True Fleur de Sel comes from the Guérande region of France.

Answer 2

Dallascan2000 is spot on about the making and application of kosher salt. Table salt often contains iodine (which is an essential nutrient for thyroid health), and some other chemicals to keep it from clumping.

As far as applications in cooking, kosher salt is often preferred by chefs because you can feel it in your fingers when sprinkling over food. Also, it's shape makes it ideal for drawing juices to the surface of meat prior to searing or grilling. Sea salt doesn't have the same properties. If it's going to be dissolved, it doesn't matter at all because it all just ends up as H+ and Cl- ions. Sea salt does have some other minerals which some claim enhance the flavor, but I can never taste the difference.

Answer 3

Kosher salt is made by compacting grandular salt between rollers which produces large irregular flakes. This shape allows the salt to easily draw blood when applied to freshly butchered meat (part of the koshering process). Unlike table salt,kosher salt contains no additives.

Answer 4

Sea salt is from the sea and you can buy it in your regular grocery store. It doesn't have iodine and some cooks just think it tastes better. Kosher salt is salt that is kosher and it has bigger granules than regular table salt. You can use sea salt instead of kosher salt. You would not want to use kosher salt in baking where the large granules might not dissolve.

Answer 5

kosher salt is not sea salt. canning salt is the most similar to kosher. regular table salt has idoide and anti-caking chemicals. most good cooks would not recommed cooking with sea salt or table salt. use the canning or kosher salts. table salt and sea salt are best for table use.

Answer 6

I am pretty sure that kosher salt is coarser than sea salt, bigger crystals.

Answer 7

I think all kosher foods has been blessed? (do an internet search and look in a dictionary) I think it is ritually cleaned...(jewish in nature).... I prefer kosher brands due to them being better quality, usually

Answer 8

Sea salt is "saltier". I don't know if it is per weight, or just because it's finer and with less air space and you get more per teaspoon.

Answer 9

It is only the texture, but I have heard it does make a difference which one you use in certain recipes.

Answer 10

you can't eat sea salt