Salt Encyclopedia

Comprehensive guide to 42+ salt varieties from around the world. Each entry includes origin, mineral content, grain structure, salinity level, and best culinary uses.

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Essential Cooking Salts

Kosher Salt

Salinity: 5-7/10 Grain: Coarse Origin: Various

The chef's default. Large, pinchable crystals that dissolve evenly. Essential for seasoning, brining, and general cooking.

Diamond Crystal Kosher

Salinity: 5/10 Grain: Hollow Flake Density: 0.56 g/mL

The professional chef's favorite. Hollow pyramid structure makes it less dense and more forgiving.

Morton Kosher

Salinity: 7/10 Grain: Dense Flake Density: 0.79 g/mL

Denser than Diamond Crystal. Flat, compressed flakes deliver more salt per pinch. Requires conversion when switching brands.

Table Salt

Salinity: 10/10 Grain: Fine Density: 1.22 g/mL

Ultra-fine granules with iodine fortification. Highest density makes it ideal for precise baking measurements.

Sea Salts

Sea Salt

Salinity: 6/10 Grain: Variable Origin: Ocean

Harvested through evaporation of seawater. Contains trace minerals that add subtle complexity. Available in fine to coarse grains.

Fleur de Sel

Salinity: 4/10 Grain: Delicate Flake Origin: France

The "flower of salt" from Guérande. Hand-harvested surface crystals with delicate crunch. Premium finishing salt.

Maldon Sea Salt

Salinity: 4/10 Grain: Pyramid Flake Origin: England

Iconic pyramid-shaped flakes from Essex. Soft crunch and clean flavor. The world's most recognized finishing salt.

Celtic Grey Salt

Salinity: 7/10 Grain: Moist Coarse Origin: Brittany

Harvested from clay-lined ponds in Brittany. Retains moisture and minerals that give it a grey color and complex flavor.

Rock & Mineral Salts

Himalayan Pink Salt

Salinity: 8/10 Grain: Variable Origin: Pakistan

Ancient sea salt from Khewra mine. Pink color from iron oxide. 98% sodium chloride despite marketing claims.

Specialty & Flavored Salts

Smoked Salt

Salinity: Variable Grain: Coarse Process: Cold-Smoked

Cold-smoked over various woods (applewood, hickory, mesquite). Adds deep smoky flavor without grilling.

Black Hawaiian Salt

Salinity: 6/10 Grain: Coarse Origin: Hawaii

Sea salt blended with activated charcoal. Striking black color with mild, earthy flavor. Dramatic presentation.

Alaea Red Hawaiian Salt

Salinity: 7/10 Grain: Coarse Origin: Hawaii

Sea salt blended with iron-rich red volcanic clay. Traditional rub for kalua pig and poke. Earthy notes plus strong visual impact.

Kala Namak (Black Indian Salt)

Salinity: 7/10 Grain: Fine to coarse Origin: India / Pakistan

Kiln-fired Indian rock salt with sulfurous, hard-boiled-egg aroma. The vegan kitchen's secret weapon for tofu scrambles and chaat.

International & Rare

Persian Blue Salt

Salinity: 9/10 Grain: Coarse crystal Origin: Iran

One of the world's rarest salts. Blue color from a pressure-induced optical effect in the crystal lattice. Pure visual finishing salt — don't grind or cook.

Dead Sea Salt

Type: Non-edible Use: Bath / spa Origin: Israel / Jordan

Magnesium-dominated mineral salt — only ~12% sodium chloride. Used for skin conditions and bathing, not cooking. Real evidence for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.