What Is Sea Salt Made Of?

Sea salt has become almost as popular as table salt. It has been marketed as the more flavorful salt used by chefs and a seemingly healthier ingredient for everyday foods.

Comparing Salts

Evaporation process

Sea salt is mainly sodium and chloride, the same as table salt. Sea salt is coarse in texture, while table salt is refined and has iodine added. Table salt is mined underground; sea salt is formed through evaporation techniques to collect the brine from oceans and seas.

A Brief History of Sea Salt

Ruins of a salt plant

Sea salt has been collected where there have been salt marshes or shallow coastal areas since ancient times. What is new is the number of man-made pools to collect sea water to process sea salt for market. Typically, sea salt is farmed in warmer climates where solar power can be utilized for the evaporation process. But sea salt production also takes place in a few northern locations such as England, Ireland and Canada.

Health Aspects of Salt

Opening up about salt

While many chefs choose sea salt for its flavor and texture, it doesn't mean it's any better for you. The Mayo Clinic states that sea salt and table salt have the same nutritional value. Iodine is added to table salt, and traces of naturally occurring iodine can be found in sea salt. If your health condition dictates a low-sodium diet, that means both sea salt and table salt need to be used sparingly.

References

• Taviusa: How Traditional Sea Salt is Made
• Mayo Clinic.com: Is sea salt better for your health than table salt?
• Absolute Astronomy: Sea salt