Kosher, Iodized, Sea: What's the Salty Difference?

“Kosher” salt, (a term recognized as primarily American in usage), is a variety of edible salt with a much larger grain size than that of most common table salt.  Like common table salt, kosher salt consists of the chemical compound sodium chloride, but unlike table salt, kosher salt typically contains no additives such as iodine–although some brands include anti-clumping agents in small amounts. (The Salt Institute, located in Alexandria, VA, claims "Kosher salt contains no additives".)  Read more . . .

Salt: Essential, Sacred, Therapeutic, Practical

Before humankind was aware of its biological essentiality, salt was used primarily as a preservative, carrying a higher trade value than silver, diamonds, or even gold in many ancient cultures.  Most sociologists agree that our addiction today is actually the side-effect of its long-standing use as a preservative.  And in countless religious systems around the world, salt became ritualized for its life-affirming abilities, carrying potent purification and protective properties.  Even today, traditional Egyptian funerary practices include an offering of salt for the departing, a practical and spiritual connection to the ancient mummification process.  And for most of us today, salt is considered the most essential condiment in our pantry; many of us impulsively put it in most everything we cook, and wouldn’t think of eating most foods without a generous coating on top.   In fact, the average American consumes 4X as much as the body actually requires.  But does that mean we should value salt less?  Read more . . .