Source category

Processing style

Crystal texture

Sodium level

Salt variety	Origin & production	Flavor & texture	Mineral makeup	Best uses	Notes & handling
Fleur de Sel Sea salt Sun evaporated Moist crystals Moderate (90–96%) Color: Ivory white · Texture: Moist crystals · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asFlower of salt	Hand-harvested from the top crystallization layer of the Guérande salt marshes in Brittany, France.	Delicate moist crystals with a gentle crunch, layered salinity, and notes of sea breeze and violets.	≈94–96% sodium chloride with retained magnesium, calcium, and potassium that lend sweetness.	Finishing sprinkle on salads, heirloom tomatoes, seared scallops, caramels, and dark chocolate.	Retains residual moisture—store in ceramic or wooden jars to prevent clumping and preserve aroma.
Sel Gris (Grey Sea Salt) Sea salt Sun evaporated Coarse Moderate (90–96%) Color: Grey with clay hues · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asCeltic grey salt	Harvested as the lower layer of Guérande's marsh beds where crystals absorb mineral-rich clay.	Moist, crunchy granules with a briny sweetness and savory minerality that stays crunchy on roasted meats.	≈90–92% sodium chloride plus magnesium, calcium, and trace iodine absorbed from marine clay.	Season cast-iron steaks, root vegetables, sourdough bread, and rustic butter.	Rinse lightly before use if excess clay is present; keep in a breathable crock to avoid fermentation aromas.
Maldon Sea Salt Flakes Sea salt Sun evaporated Flake High (≈97% NaCl) Color: Bright white · Texture: Flake · Sodium: High (≈97% NaCl) Also known asMaldon pyramid salt	Solar-evaporated from the Blackwater estuary in Maldon, Essex, then gently heated to form hollow pyramids.	Large, brittle flakes that melt quickly with clean salinity and subtle sweetness.	≈98–99% sodium chloride with very low bitterness thanks to careful skimming of calcium/magnesium.	Finish grilled steaks, buttered asparagus, focaccia, cookies, and cocktail rims.	Fragile pyramids crush easily—pinch gently between fingers rather than grinding.
Hawaiian Alaea Salt Sea salt Sun evaporated Coarse Moderate (90–96%) Color: Red · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asAlaea sea salt, Hawaiian red salt	Traditional Hawaiian sea salt mixed with purified red volcanic clay (alaea) rich in iron oxide.	Mellow, earthy flavor with a crisp crunch; the clay adds a subtle nutty undertone.	≈84% sodium chloride; enriched with iron oxide and trace minerals from the volcanic clay.	Authentic Poke, Kalua pig, seasoning grilled meats, and preserving fish.	Clay seals in moisture during roasting; lower sodium per teaspoon due to lower density.
Hawaiian Black Lava Salt Sea salt Sun evaporated Coarse Moderate (90–96%) Color: Deep violet-black · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asHiwa Kai, Black lava salt	Solar-evaporated sea salt harvested on Molokai island and infused with activated coconut shell charcoal.	Earthy, slightly smoky flavor with a dramatic black color and crunchy texture; charcoal adds a dry finish.	≈84–87% sodium chloride; activated charcoal provides detoxifying properties and trace minerals.	Finishing salt for seafood, eggs, avocado toast, and rimming cocktails for visual contrast.	Distinct from Indian Kala Namak (sulfurous); primarily used for aesthetics and texture.
Bamboo Salt (Jugyeom) Sea salt Roasted Coarse Moderate (90–96%) Color: Grey with clay hues · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asRoasted bamboo salt	Sea salt packed into bamboo stems, sealed with clay, and roasted over pine wood fire 1–9 times.	Sulphurous, egg-like aroma (stronger with more roasts) with a savory, alkaline salinity.	Enriched with minerals (K, Ca, Mg) from bamboo and clay; highly alkaline (pH 10+ for 9x).	Korean cuisine, medicinal seasoning, digestive aid, toothpaste ingredient.	9x roasted (purple bamboo salt) is most prized and potent; lower roasts are for cooking.
Refined Table Salt Rock salt Refined Fine High (≈97% NaCl) Color: Bright white · Texture: Fine · Sodium: High (≈97% NaCl) Also known asIodized salt, Fine table salt	Solution-mined from underground halite deposits, purified, recrystallized, and fortified with iodine and anti-caking agents.	Extremely fine, uniform grains that dissolve instantly with sharp, neutral salinity.	≈97–99% sodium chloride with added potassium iodide or iodate; calcium silicate prevents caking.	Universal seasoning for soups, baking formulas, brines, and precise savory applications.	Check whether iodine is desired; excess anti-caking agents can taste bitter in finishing applications.
Himalayan Pink Salt Rock salt Stone-ground / crushed Coarse Moderate (90–96%) Color: Rosy pink · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asHimalayan rock salt	Mined from ancient halite seams in the Punjab region of Pakistan, then hand sorted and stone-ground.	Crunchy crystals with mellow salinity and subtle sweetness; iron oxides lend gentle earthiness.	≈95–97% sodium chloride with trace iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.	Finishing steaks, grilled lamb, fermenting vegetables, and grinding into salt blocks for curing.	Rinse before grinding to remove quarry dust; color fades with prolonged UV exposure.
Kala Namak (Black Salt) Rock salt Kiln-fired & aged Powdered Lower (≤85%) Color: Deep violet-black · Texture: Powdered · Sodium: Lower (≤85%) Also known asHimalayan black salt	Raw halite from the Himalayas is fired in a kiln with harad seeds, charcoal, and spices, then cooled and aged.	Fine powder with punchy sulfur aromatics reminiscent of egg yolk, balanced by tangy mineral acidity.	≈60–62% sodium chloride; remaining sulfates, iron sulfide, and trace sodium sulfide create the dark hue.	Season chutneys, chaats, fruit salads, vegan egg dishes, and digestive beverages like jal-jeera.	Store airtight to keep sulfur aroma contained; a pinch is sufficient—overuse overwhelms dishes.
Kosher Salt Rock salt Refined Flake High (≈97% NaCl) Color: Bright white · Texture: Flake · Sodium: High (≈97% NaCl) Also known asKoshering salt, Kitchen salt	Mined salt processed into coarse, irregular grains (via compaction or Alberger process) without iodine.	Clean, neutral salinity; coarse structure makes it easy to pinch and distribute evenly.	≈99% sodium chloride; may contain anti-caking agents (yellow prussiate of soda) depending on brand.	All-purpose cooking, brining meats, rimming cocktail glasses, drawing moisture from meat (koshering).	Density varies significantly by brand (Diamond Crystal is lighter/less salty by volume than Morton).
Pickling Salt Rock salt Refined Fine High (≈97% NaCl) Color: Bright white · Texture: Fine · Sodium: High (≈97% NaCl) Also known asCanning salt	Pure granulated sodium chloride mined and refined to remove all additives, iodine, and anti-caking agents.	Pure, clean salt taste; fine granules dissolve rapidly in cold water without leaving sediment.	100% sodium chloride; absence of impurities ensures clear brine.	Pickling vegetables, canning, fermentation, and brines where clarity is essential.	Anti-caking agents in table salt cause cloudy brine; iodine can darken pickles.
Kosher Flake Salt Lake & solar salts Refined Coarse High (≈97% NaCl) Color: Bright white · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: High (≈97% NaCl) Also known asKosher salt, Diamond crystal salt	Solar-evaporated brine from Utah's Great Salt Lake or similar basins is roller-compressed to create hollow flakes.	Light, crisp flakes dissolve evenly, allowing generous pinches without oversalting.	≈98% sodium chloride with minute calcium and magnesium; often left un-iodized for clean flavor.	Ideal for seasoning proteins, pickling, bread doughs, and rimming margaritas.	Flakes crush easily—store away from humidity and weigh rather than measure by spoon for baking.
Redmond Real Salt Lake & solar salts Stone-ground / crushed Coarse Moderate (90–96%) Color: Pale rose · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asReal Salt	Unrefined crystals mined from a Jurassic-era seabed in central Utah, ground without bleaching or additives.	Slightly sweet salinity with pleasant crunch; pale pink speckles deliver gentle mineral complexity.	≈95% sodium chloride with balanced calcium, magnesium, and over 60 trace minerals.	Everyday cooking, fermenting sauerkraut, finishing grilled vegetables, and making sole solutions.	Naturally clumping—break with a spoon rather than adding rice grains; color varies by lot.
Alder Smoked Sea Salt Smoked salts Cold smoked Flake High (≈97% NaCl) Color: Amber brown · Texture: Flake · Sodium: High (≈97% NaCl) Also known asCold-smoked sea salt	Flake sea salt cold-smoked for 24–48 hours over Pacific Northwest alder wood, maintaining low moisture.	Sweet campfire smoke with clean salinity; flakes stay crisp and impart a deep amber aroma.	Base salt ≈97% sodium chloride; smoking adds phenolic compounds but no nitrites or artificial flavor.	Finish roasted mushrooms, grilled salmon, baked potatoes, craft cocktails, and plant-based bacon.	Store in airtight tins to prevent smoke aroma from dissipating or transferring to nearby foods.
Icelandic Birch Smoked Salt Smoked salts Cold smoked Coarse Moderate (90–96%) Color: Smoky tawny · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asViking smoked salt	Geothermal evaporated Arctic seawater is dried in small batches and smoked over Icelandic birch and sheep dung per tradition.	Robust smoke balanced by gentle sweetness and hints of caramelized peat; crystals stay chewy yet dry.	≈92–94% sodium chloride with natural calcium, magnesium, and phenolic smoke compounds absorbed during drying.	Season rye bread butter, hearty stews, roasted beets, and Nordic-inspired cocktails.	Highly aromatic—use sparingly and reseal quickly to avoid perfuming cupboards.
Black Truffle Finishing Salt Infused & seasoned salts Infused / seasoned Flake Moderate (90–96%) Color: Ivory white · Texture: Flake · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asTruffle salt	Sea salt flakes blended with dehydrated Tuber melanosporum shavings and natural truffle extracts, then rested to marry aromas.	Luxurious aroma of earth and porcini with lingering savory sweetness; flakes add delicate crunch.	≈94% sodium chloride; remaining percentage is real truffle particles and natural flavor carriers.	Finish soft-scrambled eggs, buttered popcorn, risotto, burrata, and roasted potatoes.	Potency fades with heat—add at plating and keep pouch sealed to protect volatile aromatics.
Garlic Herb Sea Salt Infused & seasoned salts Infused / seasoned Coarse Moderate (90–96%) Color: Green-speckled · Texture: Coarse · Sodium: Moderate (90–96%) Also known asHerb salt	Sea salt blended with dehydrated garlic, parsley, thyme, and lemon zest; dried under low heat to lock verdant color.	Savory garlic punch balanced by bright herbs and citrus oils; coarse crystals deliver crunch and aroma bursts.	≈93% sodium chloride with remaining percentage from garlic, herbs, and lemon essential oils.	Season roast chicken, grilled zucchini, compound butter, focaccia, and tomato salads.	Color can fade under sunlight; store in opaque jars and stir before use to redistribute herbs.
Curing Salt (Pink Salt Infused & seasoned salts Infused / seasoned Fine High (≈97% NaCl) Color: Rosy pink · Texture: Fine · Sodium: High (≈97% NaCl) Also known asPrague Powder, Insta Cure	Scientifically formulated blend of 93.75% table salt and 6.25% sodium nitrite, dyed pink to prevent confusion with table salt.	Tastes like strong salt but chemically harsh; strictly functional for preservation and color fixation, not for seasoning.	93.75% sodium chloride, 6.25% sodium nitrite; contains red dye #3.	Curing bacon, ham, corned beef, and sausages that require short curing times (cooked after curing).	TOXIC if ingested in large quantities. Use strictly according to recipes (usually 1 tsp per 5 lbs meat). NOT Himalayan Pink Salt.
Celery Salt Infused & seasoned salts Blended Fine High (≈97% NaCl) Color: Beige · Texture: Fine · Sodium: High (≈97% NaCl) Also known asCelery seed salt	Table salt or sea salt blended with ground celery seeds (Apium graveolens) or celery oleoresin.	Grassy, slightly bitter, and peppery celery flavor backed by sharp salinity.	Mostly sodium chloride; celery seeds add trace calcium, manganese, and iron.	Bloody Mary cocktails, Chicago-style hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, rimming glasses.	Contains nitrate naturally found in celery; distinct from 'curing salt' despite nitrate content.