The Best Salt for Cooking: Definitive Guide to Types and Uses

Sea Salt vs. Rock Salt: Which Is the Ideal Choice for Your Kitchen?

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Published in 10-08-2025

Salt, that seemingly simple ingredient, is actually one of the cornerstones of gastronomy. Beyond being a seasoning, it enhances flavor and often defines the texture and quality of dishes. Today, there are several kinds of salt, each adding a unique touch to cooking.

1- Table salt
This is the most common one, found in almost every household. It is produced through an industrial refining process that removes other minerals, leaving mostly sodium chloride. It usually contains anti-caking agents and iodine. Its strong and consistent flavor makes it ideal for everyday cooking like pasta or stews.

2- Sea salt
Obtained from the evaporation of seawater, sea salt retains minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium, giving it a more complex taste. It is less processed than table salt and works perfectly for salads, seafood, and steamed vegetables. Learn more at BBC Good Food.

Discover the Essential Salt Types and How to Use Them in Your Dishes

Photo: Jane Gonzalez
3- Himalayan pink salt
Recognized for its soft pink hue, this salt comes from ancient mines in Pakistan. The color is due to iron oxides and trace minerals. Its mild flavor and striking appearance make it a favorite for finishing dishes, though nutritionally, it?s quite similar to sea salt.

4- Fleur de sel
Known as the "caviar of salts," fleur de sel forms naturally on the surface of salt ponds. Harvested by hand, it has a fine, crisp texture and delicate flavor. It's used mainly to finish dishes, enhancing flavors at the last moment.

5- Kosher salt
With its large, additive-free crystals, kosher salt is preferred by professional chefs. It provides precise control when seasoning meats and dissolves gradually, allowing even distribution.

Which salt is best for cooking?
The best salt depends on the dish. Table salt is practical and affordable, but sea salt and kosher salt offer more texture and flavor control. Fleur de sel and Himalayan salt are ideal for finishing touches and presentation.

Ultimately, salt is not just about seasoning, it's about enhancing life's flavors, one grain at a time.