One ingredient you must use to achieve fabulous flavor is......... SALT!
Yes, there are guidelines everywhere cautioning us to reduce our salt intake for better health, but in many cases, those guidelines are generalized. Using the right salt in the right amounts can still lead you toward excellent health.
Keep in mind, salt's primary job is to enhance the natural flavors that already exist in a food. For example, it nicely brightens the natural sugars in veggies. Salt's job is not to make food taste salty. Odd? Sure. Here's the thing: if you notice an unpleasant, overly salty taste, it's safe to say there's too much!
The salt you use can make all the difference with flavor, too. Many varieties of food-grade salt are available for various uses:
Iodized Salt.
Fine grain
Contains additives: supplemental iodine, dextrose, and anti-caking agents
Salty taste
Not a pure salt and thus does a poor job with seasoning
Often used in baking due to its dissolvability; fine sea salt is an excellent substitute
Not recommended
Kosher Salt.
Coarse grain
Cleaner taste
Use as a cooking salt rather than a finishing/garnishing salt
Sticks well to food, making it ideal for tenderization
Depending on brand, crystals can vary in size and shape which can alter the taste of food: pick your favorite brand and stick with that
Recommended
Sea Salt & Rock Salt.
Various grain sizes
Sea salt is produced by evaporation of seawater
Rock salt is mined
Both mainly used as finishing/garnishing salt
Many varieties of each as they're harvested from different locations all over the world; each variety offers something different.
Contain other minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron
Recommended
Take yourself on a salty adventure! Explore several varieties of salts when preparing food and determine which types are your favorite.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. If you're interested in making dietary changes, guidance from a nutrition expert is highly advised. Please review our Nutrition & Wellness Services here.