Table salt is one of the most common salt varieties in Australia, as the name suggests you will generally find it in cafes and restaurants. Table salt is made by heating natural salt to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, it is then fortified with iodine. It is good for baking as the crystals are so small they are easy to measure and mix.
2. Pink Himalayan Salt
Identifiable by its pale pink colour and coarse rock, Pink Himalayan Salt is mined in the Himalayas. It has a strong taste and is best used as a final touch to dishes. Pink salt naturally contains a small amount of iron oxide meaning that little needs to be added to it which is why there is the perception that it is the healthiest.
3. Sea Salt
To make sea salt, an evaporation process occurs where salt is separated from ocean water. Unfortunately though as our ocean fills with microplastics so too does our sea salt with research finding tiny microplastic fibres in sea salt. It naturally contains a small amount of iodine and is typically less refined than table salt.
4. Grey Salt or Celtic Sea Salt
More commonly known as Celtic Sea Salt in Australia, grey salt has a soft, moist feeling as it still contains a small amount of water and it is coloured by the clay where it is harvested from in Brittany, France. Grey salt, much like pink salt has alkalising properties and can help prevent muscle cramps, it also contains a low about of sodium. The salt retains its moisture and is great for those looking to moderate their sodium intake.
5. Black Sea Salt
Black sea salt is harvested in a similar way to grey salt but it originates from Hawaii, where the black volcanic soil colours it black. It also has a portion of activated charcoal which helps with digestion and detoxification of the body. Due to the health benefits black sea salt is often more expensive than other varieties.
6. Flake Salt
Flake salt is easily identified by its thin, irregularly shaped shards. The thin have a very low mineral content with the pieces dissolving quickly, resulting in an instant pop of flavour. It is harvested through salt water evaporation.
7. Rock Salt
Mined from underground deposits, rock salt is most commonly used in ice cream churns and as a way to thaw frozen sidewalks.
8. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is packed with magnesium which is why it is commonly added into a warm bath that helps reduce muscle soreness, cramps and aids in sleeping.
9. Kosher Salt
Kosher salt is used in all-cooking, it is easy to use as the salt dissolves quickly and so does the flavour. It comes in large crystal-like pieces making it ideal to rub into meats.
10. Smoked Salt
Smoked salt develops its rich flavour by being laid over a smouldering fire, alternatively, it can be made by adding liquid smoke to the salty solution before it is evaporated. It is one of the most expensive kinds of salt and is used to finish a dish rather as a condiment.
