Celtic Salt vs Table Salt

Celtic salt has become popular for restaurants, food producers, and people who cook at home. Some chefs like it more than regular table salt because it is coarser, crunchier, and has a stronger flavour. Health-conscious people choose it because it has important minerals like magnesium. However, coming into the health aspect, there is very little difference in the amount of sodium between Celtic salt and Table salt. Eating too much of any of the salts can cause high blood pressure and heart disease. In this article, we will explore Celtic salt vs Table salt and know their key differences.

What Is Celtic Salt?

Celtic salt is produced by evaporating seawater in salt ponds using the traditional method. It is less processed and contains minimal minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium. Due to the presence of these minerals, the Celtic salt is grey in colour. The taste, texture, and colour of Celtic salt change depending on its origin and harvesting method.

Celtic salt crystals are larger and have a more complex flavour because of trace minerals. They are suitable for almost all recipes. People use it depending on their preferences. Some use it for cooking or baking, while some prefer it as a finishing salt. It is recommended to use fine Celtic salt in recipes and reserve flaky, soft, and delicate Celtic salt for finishing. The flaky one will also add an extra layer of texture to your dish.

What Is Table Salt?

Table salt is extracted from the salt mines and later processed to remove any impurities and minerals. Idonine and other anti-caking agents are added to prevent salt from clumping. A study shows that the U.S. started adding iodine to salt in the 1920s because of iodine deficiencies and related illnesses, such as goitres, occurring in people. Nowadays, most people get enough iodine from their daily diet and don’t need iodized table salt. Foods rich in iodine include fish like cod, Greek yogurt, milk, eggs, and seaweed.

The texture of the table salt will be fine and dissolve easily in the water. Because of the removal of impurities and trace minerals, the flavour of the salt will be sharp. Table salt is mostly preferred in recipes that require less salt, like doughs and cakes. The anti-caking agents can release a metallic taste if it is used in higher amounts.

Key Differences between Celtic Salt and Table Salt

Here are the key differences of Celtic salt and table salt mentioned below:

• Composition: Celtic salt and table salt have similar nutritional values and sodium levels but differ in their compositions. Table salt is usually combined with iodine and anti-caking agents, whereas Celtic salt contains naturally occurring minerals in minimal quantities.
• Flavour: The Celtic salt has a complex flavour because of the trace minerals in it. Whereas the table salt’s flavour is simple and sharp
• Size and Texture: Celtic salt is coarser and adds crunch when used as a food topping, while Table salt is fine and easily dissolves in the food.
• Price: Celtic salt is more expensive than table salt because it is produced in smaller batches and requires more labour to prepare. Iodized table salt can be bought for as low as $0.30 per pound, while Celtic salt is double the price of table salt.
• Shelf Life: Celtic salt has an indefinite shelf life compared to table salt. However, table salt has a shelf life of about five years because it is usually fortified with iodine and anti-caking agents.

Health Benefits of Celtic Salt and Table Salt

Table salt has iodine added to it. Iodine is important for making thyroid hormone. Your body can’t make iodine, so you need to get it from food. Without enough iodine, your body won’t make enough thyroid hormone, and your thyroid gland can get bigger, causing a condition called goitre. So, table salt helps prevent goitre.

Celtic salt is important for our body to maintain electrolyte balance, good digestive health, and skin health. We can greatly benefit from using it in food or as a bath salt.

Conclusion

When choosing between Celtic salt and Table salt, they’re pretty much the same health-wise because they both have the same amount of sodium. Prefer a salt that you like the taste of and that suits your budget. It’s better to consult a doctor before choosing a salt so that its sodium levels will not affect your health. At Canada Salt Group Ltd, we deal with high-quality food-grade salt and salt products. Contact us for a free quote.