World Flavors: Types Of Salt
When chefs need to enhance the flavor of dishes, they reach for the salt. The crystalline mineral has been used in cooking for ages. As humans began storing foods, salt was the only means of preservation before refrigeration and other methods were even comprehensible. It was also used in pickling and canning foods aside from adding a burst of flavor to any dish.
There are many types of salt, and not all varieties are made equally. Some types of salt would even be blasphemous to cook with, like rock salt. The deftest chefs will know what type of salt to reach for in each occasion. Salting food is a fine art and takes a trained eye. Too much and the dish has been ruined, too little and your dish may seem bland or lacking depth. Although the wide array of salt choices may be confusing to a new cook, after a short training course, this classic seasoning will become your secret weapon.
Different types of salt give different flavor and are recommended for different uses.
- Kosher salt is ideal for cooking because it dissolves quickly. It is a favorite all-purpose salt of many cooks.
- Sea salt is made from evaporated sea water and can come in crystalline or flake form. It is best used as a finishing touch on freshly cooked foods.
- Rock salt is ideal for regulating the temperature while making ice cream, but not to use in food for consumption.
- Table salt is mined from underground deposits and is refined to contain additives like iodine.
- Fleur de sel is a wonderful finishing salt and is harvested from salt crystals on the surface of salt evaporation ponds.
- Himalayan salt is rich in minerals and is used in cooking and finishing. Blocks can even be used as a cooking or serving plate.
- Smoked salt is great for the grilling of hearty dishes. The crystals are infused with a deep smoky flavor.
- Seasoned salt can take on a wide range of flavors and is ideal for cooking. But don’t mistake the seasoning for the herbs that are in it, you could end up overloading the dish with salt.
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